I saw this on the ButtonTrader board and it is a good idea (if you want to make sure to see if TWS had been down):
"First is the "Tip of the Day Window". If you configure this window
(to be shown at each startup) each time TWS starts, you will be shown
a window with a tip of how to use TWS. The purpose I use this window
for is not to read these tips (which may be useful), but to be
informed of a restart of the TWS: The TWS exchanges a heartbeat
signal with the IB server, you are logged into. When the connection
gets lost, the TWS will color its grid pink and if the connections re-
establishes the normal color will be restored. But sometimes the TWS
will have to do a complete restart (login). If you have configured
the "Tip of the Day Window" then this window will be shown now and
you know what happened. Why to do this? Sometimes the restart may
result in uncertain situations for the trader, e.g. you just tried to
cancel a trade, when a restart happened. You should then be very
careful about assuming everything is correct and better double-check
your positions, trades etc.
How to configure the window:
From the menu select: "Configure" -> "Misc" -> "Tip of the Day" then
check off the check-box "Show tips at startup"."