Hi Zach...
Now a days so many programs use the internet for everything they do it is almost impossible to leave any type of option turned on that allows your computer to autodial the internet. There are two places to disable this feature and this will resolve the problem. From now on, manually dial the internet when you want to connect to the internet.
1) Click start -> control panel -> internet options. Click the connections tab and make sure "Never dial a connection," is selected under your dial-up settings. Apply your settings.
2) Click start -> control panel -> network connections. Click the "Advanced" menu, then click "Dial-up preferences." Uncheck anything under "Enable autodial by location." Apply your settings.
Now, as far as downloading Adobe and having your browser run slow, the simple answer is, its dial-up. You can't do anything at the same time as anything else on dial-up. Wish I could tell you something better, but if you are going to download a file like Adobe updates, then sit back and have a nice cup of coffee or watch the latest football game, because its going to be a while. If programs like Adobe updates is causing problems (which I admit, Adobe updater is extrememly problematic and ties up the internet connection even on highspeed connections) you need to adjust the preferences in the program so that it no longer automatically checks for updates. In the case of Adobe updater, open the window, click "preferences" and disable automatically checking for adobe updates. Either that or cancel the updates.
Hope this helps.
Edited by appleoddity, 18 July 2009 - 10:20 AM.