Digital Line Detected (PBX) error

[Tom Marsicek]

This error will pop on a customers screen from time to
time. ("Digital Line Detected (PBX): Please verify that
your phone line from your computer is directly connected
to a standard analog modem or fax line.")
It is a brand new Dell D800 latitude WinXP laptop. There
is an onboard modem but no line is ever connected to it.
The modem in fact has never been used. Any suggestions
as to why this might be poping up?

 

[Malke]

This error will pop on a customers screen from time to
time. ("Digital Line Detected (PBX): Please verify that
your phone line from your computer is directly connected
to a standard analog modem or fax line.")
It is a brand new Dell D800 latitude WinXP laptop. There
is an onboard modem but no line is ever connected to it.
The modem in fact has never been used. Any suggestions
as to why this might be poping up?

I can think of two reasons, one benign, one not. 1) I've noticed a
"digital line detect" program in the startup menu (Start>Run>msconfig)
of several computers and I've just disabled it from startup with no
problem. 2) There's a trojan or some other spy/malware on the system
that is trying to connect. I'd go with Door No. 1.

Malke