Dial-up Connection / SP2

[Guest]

Ever since I installed SP2, the computer designated as the internet portal on
my office network tries to initiate a dial-up connection as soon as it is
turned on, and often at random times throughout the day. Does anyone know
how I can find out what program(s) trigger this dial-up "obsession"?

I have watched the "processes" under "Task Manager" and the only thing that
seems to be consistently active when this occurs is the "System Idle Process"

I have scanned for spyware and viruses multiple times (with the latest
available definitions) and found nothing. I have disabled automatic updates
in both Norton and Windows. What else could be trying to go on-line without
my knowledge (or consent!)?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools, select Internet Options, go to the
Connections tab, select "Never dial a connection," click apply and ok.

 

[Guest]

Tnx. I'll try that, but why should IE be trying to go on line, when it is
not even my default browser?
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[Steve N.]

Tnx. I'll try that, but why should IE be trying to go on line, when it is
not even my default browser?

Because many Windows updates reset IE to it's default settings.
Something I find extremely irritating, but as always, Microsoft knows
what's best for all of us, right?

Steve

 

[Guest]

Tnx. for the reply

I checked, and setting "Never dial..." must have been one of the many things
I've already tried. Any other suggestions?
==============

 

[Steve N.]

Tnx. for the reply

I checked, and setting "Never dial..." must have been one of the many things
I've already tried. Any other suggestions?

See if this helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316530

Steve

 

[Guest]

I found that I have already set "Never dial..." (I don't know how many futile
tries ago) but the problem keeps recurring.

On advice from elsewhere, I have also now run my virus and spyware scans
from Safe Mode, but still found nothing (I was told that on start-up these
nuisances sometimes run and hide somewhere not scanned -- any truth to that?)

Anyway, is there a way I can "see" everything my computer is doing at any
given moment? Any way to check in (shudder!) "Registry" to see what all
might call "rasautou,exe", which seems to be the "dial up" process?
==============

 

[Guest]

Steve N. -

Thank you! This looks like just what I need! (I haven't tried anything yet
-- I'll study up tonight and give it a shot in the morning.) I'll keep you
posted.

Again, TNX!

- G.
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:

 

[Steve N.]

Steve N. -

Thank you! This looks like just what I need! (I haven't tried anything yet
-- I'll study up tonight and give it a shot in the morning.) I'll keep you
posted.

Again, TNX!

- G.

You're welcome. Good luck and let us know the results.

Steve

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Well, Steve N. has posted a link to a Knowledge Base article which might
help.

The other way to deal with this is to check your firewall and find out what
is trying to dial out.

One of the things you might check is to see if Outlook Express is set to
check for messages in a specified period. If it is and it is set to dial,
then when you boot the system, it might try dialing out to check for
messages even though it isn't open at that time. Open Outlook Express, go
to Tools, select options, this is on the General tab under Send and Receive,
be sure it is set to "Do not dial" if there is no connection.

Beyond that, look at every application set to open on startup, check their
options to see if they have an option to automatically check for updates.
That's becoming standard and unless you do a custom install, you wouldn't
think to disable it. Quite likely, you have some application that is
checking for updates when you start the system. If your antivirus is set to
automatically check for updates, it too, might be the culprit and would
certainly initiate a dialup session in an attempt to check for updates.

 

[Guest]

After a month of frustration, my problem seems to be solved. The Internet
portal has been on for 6 hours without trying to dial out.

My thanks to Steve and Michael for guiding me through this jungle.

The key seems to be in Network Connections/Advanced/Dial-up
Preferences/Autodial (such an obvious place!!!) Uncheck the box for "Enable
Autodial by location"

This tip courtesy of MS Knowledge base (tnx. Steve!):

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316530

I still don't know what is triggering this behavior, but the same site gives
pointers on finding out., if/when I have time

Hope this helps someone else!
======================

 

[Guest]

Steve -

See the "reply" I just posted to my original quiry. Again, Tnx!

-G.

 

[Guest]

Michael -

See the "reply" I just posted to my original quiry. Again, Tnx!

BTW - you suggested I "check (my) firewall and find out what is trying to
dial out". Just in case, can you provide sone guidance on how to do this? (I
am relying on the Windows Firewall.)

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Thank you for letting us know and directing us to the Knowledge Base
Article.