My computer keeps dialing the internet by itself. When I hear the modem kick in I can stop it but I want to know what application is doing the dialing.

The next time it tries to dial by itself how can I determine what application is responsible?

I've run SpyBot a dozen times and it hasn't found any spyware so I don't think that's the problem. Are there any other setting I should check that could be causing this? I'm running Win98SE with IE 6.0.

TIA

Have you tried a virus scan? If you have or haven't you should try http://housecall.trendmicro.com/. A free virus scanner. Are you the only one that uses the computer? Have you checked you phone bill lately? I know of several viruses that dial a 1-900 numbers.

The phone bills have been fine. I've always had Norton AV and I always keep it up to date.

Is it by any chance a Compaq Computer? My uncle had a similar issue on his compaq and there was an option in the software that called for the computer to connect ot the web to report an error or get updates. My Dad was the one to fix it and I believe he had to call the support line. I'd hask him but he and Mom hit the road in their RV (retired) and they are somewheres back east smile.gif . If I talk to them I'll ask what killed it.

Originally posted by Rich-L79:
The phone bills have been fine. I've always had Norton AV and I always keep it up to date. I'm sure you don't but I'll ask anyway. Do you have norton AV set for auto update?
Also you can get desktop firewall software that will block the attempt to access the internet and tell you what program is trying.

I have turned off the auto update in any application I can find one such as in Norton, Windows, etc. I do have Zone Alarm and even when I click the icon to lock all internet access it still allows the mystery dialing to take place! Unfortunately Zone Alarm doen't track the application at fault but does occassionally log attempts of access but only logs them as IP addresses so I am still at a loss to determine what application is the culprit. Maybe there is a setting in Zone Alarm that would tell me?

Will have to disable applications one at a time to see which one is causing it?

I don't have a Compaq.

You know, now that I think about it, this all started about the time I upgraded to an "improved" version of the free version of Zone Alarm. Of all applications, you'd think that one would be free of such things! I think I'll dig into the ZA settings in more detail.

Any other suggestions are more than welcome!

when it dials it should tell you where it is dialing? Check the dialup connections and see what is there. Maybe the virus scanner is set to update and dial out to do so?

It's dialing my ISP is all. When it connects, it sends and receives about 2k bytes in each direction and then stops. One night I couldn't get ahold of my wife at home because the line was busy due to this issue so I really need to get it to stop!

The virus scanner is set to ask permission before dialing.

I ran a system-wide virus scan last night as a precaution. Nothing was found and my Norton is completely up to date.

I can say that when this happens, no applications appear to be open at the time. I think I'll disable Zone Alarm for a while and see what happens. I'm not entirely thrilled with the latest version and it seems to be a CPU hog anyway.

I have a Compaq and it does this..
it won't connect,but it tries to dial it..I guess it trying to call the mothership ;) :D
I've tried eveything too..pc is clean :confused:

Originally posted by Rich-L79:
I'm not entirely thrilled with the latest version and it seems to be a CPU hog anyway. I ran into hassles last June with ZA's latest version. Right after it updated. No problems if I put the older version back on.
I downloaded the latest Sygate version from download.com. Uninstalled Zone Alarm and installed Sygate. Had no internet problems.

I doubt it is doing it just because. If it is calling your isp something is telling it too. think about it "even if the modem was bad it wouldn't know to dail your isp". I suspect something is telling it to dail out. Maybe your connection is bad delete it and reconfigure you dialup settings. I have seen this before but can't remember what was causing it. Another thing is watch your services and when it tries to dial out see what pops up under services. Then search your box for it and you will find the cause.

Rich,
If you find out what is doing it, let me know. My computer (Generic IBM clone) at the shop goes through spells where it does the same thing. Turn it on in the AM and it boots up and dials up to my ISP (Earthlink) If you stop it, it just does it again. Usually takes the reset button to fix it for good. No ryhme or reason when it does it. Sometimes first thing, sometimes during the day.

I've never had 98ME on a computer for any more time than it took to reboot to a floppy and install 2000/XP. Does it have a Task Manager or a list showing what processes/services are running or is that a NT/2000/XP thing? Is there an event log?

I have cable that's always online but I disable my network card when I'm going to be away from the PC for any length of time (like night time or going to work). You might try simply unplugging the phone line if it's readily accessible when not in use. It won't find the offending software but it may save you some money (and spyware?) 'till you find out what's causing it.

give this a try.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Applications/Viruses/Q_20648804.html
good luck jon

I don't think Win98SE has a task manager like Win2000 does. Is there anything built into Win98 that I can run to see what programs are running at any given time?

Maybe see if there is a firmware update for your modem. I can't remember how I fixed this issue the few times I ran into it. I do remember it was win98/me machines doing it though. Try deleting your dialup and create a new one.

You should be able to go to Start> Run type in msinfo32 and then go to software> running tasks

Not sure if that shows EVERYTHING or not.

It sounds as if your computer is lonely and looking for companionship.

Seriously, until you figure this out, just unplug the internet connection when you're not using it. Even though I don't have a problem with my computer dialing out, I usually unplug the internet when I'm not using it. Call it paranoid, but with all the viruses, etc. around, it feels more secure to unplug it.

ctrl-alt-del should show what is running when it is dialing out. Compare what is running then to what is running when it isn't dialing out. You don't have any settings for automatically checking for mail do you?

Open IE click on tools-Internet options-Connections. If you have always dial my default connection selected change it to never dial a connection.


Tim

Originally posted by Rich-L79:
I don't think Win98SE has a task manager like Win2000 does. Is there anything built into Win98 that I can run to see what programs are running at any given time? There's a program called "System Information" on Win98SE that shows everything that's currently active or loaded in memory. Should be under Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools. When you open it up look under the "Software Environment" section.

<edit> Just noticed this is the same tool that Dean posted above. Sorry for the repeat.

I use a tool called Ethereal (http://www.ethereal.com), when I want to get a closer look at the network traffic going to and from my computer. It's relatively easy to set up and use, and while you may not understand everything it shows you, it gives you a lot more detail than just the destination IP address. I would just set it up to capture data and leave it running all day. When you get back you can stop the capture and view all the traffic over your dial-up connection in the analysis window.