Have installed BT Voyager router 2091 for fast broadband internet access via ethernet cable. Works fine as browser, e-mail and VPN separately. I cannot browse internet while connected to VPN although I can send and receive e-mails OK although somwhat slower when connected VPN. Previously used BT USB Voyager 105 and was able to switch between web browsing and VPN seemlessly. Suspect that it is some setting in router configuration.

PC info:
Windows XP
PC anywhere networking software for VPN setup

You have two internet connections, one direct to broadband and one through the VPN to broadband. The computer doesn't know which one to use and so you get this problem with connectivity. When the VPN is active probably all traffic is going through that (maybe browsing is restricted at the other end of the VPN?) and that's why its slower. Initially I would speak to the techies at work (or wherever the VPN goes) to resolve this.

There is a network setting that needs to be configured for VPN to allow web-browsing through the original gateway (your Internet connection).

Disconnect from the VPN. Right-click your inactive VPN connection and select Properties. Select the Networking tab, then select TCP/IPv4, and click the Properties button towards the bottom. Go to the Advanced settings and uncheck "Use default gateway on remote network." Repeat these steps for TCP/IPv6 if available.

Now your VPN connection is set to default to your Internet connection and use the VPN connections for those confidential network resources. Enjoy!

Your VPN client or host is blocking Port 80 (HTTP). If you are still able to send email to the Internet while connected to the VPN, then it is still able to contact your Internet gateway via Port 25 (SMTP).

Some VPN clients (such as Cisco) have a setting in the client to not allow any local LAN access, others will simply block specific ports to stop certain types of traffic. The blocking may also be enabled by your company network as a security feature to safeguard against malicious content from sources not controlled by your companies regular entry points such as an Internet Proxy or Firewall server.