Modem ALWAYS dials in to the net at boot.

[Seeker]

I am running WinXP Home, SP2, all updates installed

I have a dial up connection to the net
(Yes, there are still lots of us out here stuck in dial up hell)

When I boot, my modem automatically dials up and connects to the net.

If I disconnect, after some period of time it attempts to reconnect,
even though I am using that land line for a voice call.

I have, to the best of my ability checked my Start Up programs for any
obvious setting that might cause this, even found one that was marked
"Check periodically for update" and disabled that option.

I have had extensive correspondence with my AntiVirus program (NOD32),
and they assure me that their automatic update option does not intiate
any connection, only uses an existing connection. Despite this, for a
couple of days I disabled the auto-update, and the dial up behavior
contiunued. So that possible source is ruled out.

With my limited knowledge I have looked at the Modem section of the
Control panel, as well as the Internet connections panel, for any
setting which might be prompting this behavior. I can find nothing.

It's not exactly a HUGE problem, but it is a pain, and often annoying
when it happens during a voice call.

Any suggestions which might find and fix this would be appreciated.

Thanks

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Click Start, Run and type INETCPL.CPL
Select the Connections tab
Select "Never dial a connection" radio-button
Click Apply, OK.

If that does not help, click Start, Run and type INETWIZ.EXE
Choose "Connect using my Local Area Network (LAN)" and complete the process

Then, disable the "Remote Access Auto connection manager" service

Right click My Computer icon, choose Manage/Services and
Applications/Services
In the right pane, select Remote Access Auto Connection Manager and double
click
Use the Startup type drop box and choose Disabled

- - -
Note: Do not stop the "Remote Access connection manager" service
- - -

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I am running WinXP Home, SP2, all updates installed

I have a dial up connection to the net
(Yes, there are still lots of us out here stuck in dial up hell)

When I boot, my modem automatically dials up and connects to the net.

If I disconnect, after some period of time it attempts to reconnect,
even though I am using that land line for a voice call.

I have, to the best of my ability checked my Start Up programs for any
obvious setting that might cause this, even found one that was marked
"Check periodically for update" and disabled that option.

I have had extensive correspondence with my AntiVirus program (NOD32),
and they assure me that their automatic update option does not intiate
any connection, only uses an existing connection. Despite this, for a
couple of days I disabled the auto-update, and the dial up behavior
contiunued. So that possible source is ruled out.

With my limited knowledge I have looked at the Modem section of the
Control panel, as well as the Internet connections panel, for any
setting which might be prompting this behavior. I can find nothing.

It's not exactly a HUGE problem, but it is a pain, and often annoying
when it happens during a voice call.

Any suggestions which might find and fix this would be appreciated.

Thanks

Seeker

 

[Seeker]

On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:29:47 +0530, "Ramesh, MS-MVP"

I appreciate the advice...

Click Start, Run and type INETCPL.CPL
Select the Connections tab
Select "Never dial a connection" radio-button
Click Apply, OK.

This was already set that way.

If that does not help, click Start, Run and type INETWIZ.EXE
Choose "Connect using my Local Area Network (LAN)" and complete the process

I don't have a LAN, unless a single home phone and one computer
qualifies... and your next instruction leaves me with a big and
important question.

Then, disable the "Remote Access Auto connection manager" service

Right click My Computer icon, choose Manage/Services and
Applications/Services
In the right pane, select Remote Access Auto Connection Manager and double
click
Use the Startup type drop box and choose Disabled

IIf I do this, won't it prevent my download manager from re-connecting
when a connection is lost? If that is not so, then I will proceed, but
I leave my computer on overnight with many files from usenet lined up
for download, and there are almost always a lost connection or two
during that time. I don't want to forfeit justifiable automatic
connections.

I only want to stop it from connecting when I boot. I was hoping to
isolote the specific cause.

I have always assumed that there is some program that is in the
background trying to connect to check for an update, or something like
that, but I can't figure out what it is. And I was hoping for some
advice on how to figure out what it is.

I have a freeware application called Start Up Inspector which gives me
some information, but I can't see anything there that would cause
this.

I don't want to completely turn off automatic re-connections. And I
would like my internet applications to automatically dial when opened.
This was always how my computer behaved.

Is there some way I can figure out the specific application or service
that is doing this?

Again, I appreciate the advice, and if I seem to be asking too much, I
apologize.

Thanks again

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

I don't have a LAN, unless a single home phone and one computer
qualifies

My mistake! Ignore the inetwiz part, as that applies to LAN / hi-speed
connections.

If your download manager simply invokes the auto-dial feature of XP, then
don't use this option. OTOH, it has a self dialing feature (with the
username and password stored by the download manager), then you can simply
turn off the remote access auto-connection manager service.

May be you can allow the system to auto-dial (when prompted during startup)
and then track which application is accessing the internet, and the remote
IP. Atleast this info can be tracked using third-party tools. (TCPView,
Process explorer, the in-built Netstat utility)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:29:47 +0530, "Ramesh, MS-MVP"

I appreciate the advice...

Click Start, Run and type INETCPL.CPL
Select the Connections tab
Select "Never dial a connection" radio-button
Click Apply, OK.

This was already set that way.

If that does not help, click Start, Run and type INETWIZ.EXE
Choose "Connect using my Local Area Network (LAN)" and complete the process

I don't have a LAN, unless a single home phone and one computer
qualifies... and your next instruction leaves me with a big and
important question.

Then, disable the "Remote Access Auto connection manager" service

Right click My Computer icon, choose Manage/Services and
Applications/Services
In the right pane, select Remote Access Auto Connection Manager and double
click
Use the Startup type drop box and choose Disabled

IIf I do this, won't it prevent my download manager from re-connecting
when a connection is lost? If that is not so, then I will proceed, but
I leave my computer on overnight with many files from usenet lined up
for download, and there are almost always a lost connection or two
during that time. I don't want to forfeit justifiable automatic
connections.

I only want to stop it from connecting when I boot. I was hoping to
isolote the specific cause.

I have always assumed that there is some program that is in the
background trying to connect to check for an update, or something like
that, but I can't figure out what it is. And I was hoping for some
advice on how to figure out what it is.

I have a freeware application called Start Up Inspector which gives me
some information, but I can't see anything there that would cause
this.

I don't want to completely turn off automatic re-connections. And I
would like my internet applications to automatically dial when opened.
This was always how my computer behaved.

Is there some way I can figure out the specific application or service
that is doing this?

Again, I appreciate the advice, and if I seem to be asking too much, I
apologize.

Thanks again

Seeker

 

[Seeker]

On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:57:24 +0530, "Ramesh, MS-MVP"

Thanks so much for the fast response.

qualifies

My mistake! Ignore the inetwiz part, as that applies to LAN / hi-speed
connections.


If your download manager simply invokes the auto-dial feature of XP, then
don't use this option. OTOH, it has a self dialing feature (with the
username and password stored by the download manager), then you can simply
turn off the remote access auto-connection manager service.


May be you can allow the system to auto-dial (when prompted during startup)
and then track which application is accessing the internet, and the remote
IP. Atleast this info can be tracked using third-party tools. (TCPView,
Process explorer, the in-built Netstat utility)

Yes, this is what I want to do. But how do I use it? I found
"Netstat.exe" in the Windows\Stystem and in the
Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 folders, but do not know how to use it.

I assume the file in the System Folder is the one I should use.
When I clicked on that, however, a DOS window appeared VERY briefly,
and then closed. Again assuming, I believe it unpacked the utility.
But at this point I do not know what else I should be doing.

I also assume that it must somehow be executed at boot up time, and
again do not know how to accomplish this.

Can you perhaps give more specific steps? I would be grateful.

Thank you

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Here is an example:

View the list of active network connections in your computer:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/netstat.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:57:24 +0530, "Ramesh, MS-MVP"

Thanks so much for the fast response.

qualifies

My mistake! Ignore the inetwiz part, as that applies to LAN / hi-speed
connections.


If your download manager simply invokes the auto-dial feature of XP, then
don't use this option. OTOH, it has a self dialing feature (with the
username and password stored by the download manager), then you can simply
turn off the remote access auto-connection manager service.


May be you can allow the system to auto-dial (when prompted during startup)
and then track which application is accessing the internet, and the remote
IP. Atleast this info can be tracked using third-party tools. (TCPView,
Process explorer, the in-built Netstat utility)

Yes, this is what I want to do. But how do I use it? I found
"Netstat.exe" in the Windows\Stystem and in the
Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 folders, but do not know how to use it.

I assume the file in the System Folder is the one I should use.
When I clicked on that, however, a DOS window appeared VERY briefly,
and then closed. Again assuming, I believe it unpacked the utility.
But at this point I do not know what else I should be doing.

I also assume that it must somehow be executed at boot up time, and
again do not know how to accomplish this.

Can you perhaps give more specific steps? I would be grateful.

Thank you

Seeker

 

[Seeker]

Ramesh

I FOUND THE CULPRIT!

Thanks for all your advice.

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome, Seeker.

BTW, which was the culprit?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh

I FOUND THE CULPRIT!

Thanks for all your advice.

Seeker

 

[Seeker]

You're welcome, Seeker.

BTW, which was the culprit?

It was a Wallpaper manager I have been using for a couple of years.
(I very much recommend it, BTW, if one has many images and wishes to
use them for wallpaper. It is "Wallpaper Master" at
http://jamesgart.com/wallpaperchanger/

It has, as many apps do, a check box for automatic notification of
updates. However, since I am a registered owner, and get automatic
eMail notification, I had long ago unchecked that box. So when I
looked at the settings for each of my programs, it did not appear to
be the culprit.

Yet somehow it was apparently still checking for updates. So I have
reset it not to open automatically. I will open it only when I
actually want to change wallpaper.

I found this by closing and reopening each of my start up programs one
at a time, and re booting after each one, by a process of elimination,
I had done this many times proor to this, , but somehow it got past
me.

And now I connect to the net only when I want to! Horray!

Thanks again.

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Thanks for the feedback, Seeker.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

You're welcome, Seeker.

BTW, which was the culprit?

It was a Wallpaper manager I have been using for a couple of years.
(I very much recommend it, BTW, if one has many images and wishes to
use them for wallpaper. It is "Wallpaper Master" at
http://jamesgart.com/wallpaperchanger/

 

[Seeker]

Thanks for the feedback, Seeker.

Turns out I was wrong.

DAMN!

This morning I am back to the beginning.
Computer once again dialing in at boot.
Cannot understand the output of the

NETSTAT -ABNO command

and the output of the

NETSTAT -ANO command opens and closes so fast I cannot read it.

Is there a way to make a snapshot of these dos windows? Or to Copy and
paste?

Thanks

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Run that command from a Command Prompt window.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

Thanks for the feedback, Seeker.

Turns out I was wrong.

DAMN!

This morning I am back to the beginning.
Computer once again dialing in at boot.
Cannot understand the output of the

NETSTAT -ABNO command

and the output of the

NETSTAT -ANO command opens and closes so fast I cannot read it.

Is there a way to make a snapshot of these dos windows? Or to Copy and
paste?

Thanks

Seeker

 

[Seeker]

On Sat, 15 Jul 2006 10:40:23 +0530, "Ramesh, MS-MVP"

Again, thanks for the response.

I will say that disabling the Wallpaper manager, as previously noted,
has made some difference. I do not always get connected when I boot.
But I do get connected at random, when I have closed all internet
programs and am busy doing other things, at random it will just start
dialing. It just happened. I was offline for perhaps half an hour, and
it just dialed in

Run that command from a Command Prompt window.

I could not (at first) remember how to do that.

But I downloaded and used both utilities you recommend on your web
page, and ran them immediately.

The readouts before opening any internet programs are not helpful.

Both TCP View and Curr Ports do NOT show any TCP ports "Established"
I only get an Established port when I open my Newsgroup program
(Agent), or some other Internet Application. But after these unwanted
dial ups there are no "Established" Ports.

They show 3 TCP ports that are "Listening". Those are labeled "main
computer".

I will run the NETSTAT -ABNO command in a window the next time this
happens, but I cannot imagine that it will give different information
than these utilities does.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Seeker

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

No other ideas, Seeker. It looks like a program (or a built-in service) is
looking for a remote IP/DNS, but does not establish a connection with a
remote server. Tracking this seems to be a tough task, and this task is in
my pending list for a long time now.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


On Sat, 15 Jul 2006 10:40:23 +0530, "Ramesh, MS-MVP"

Again, thanks for the response.

I will say that disabling the Wallpaper manager, as previously noted,
has made some difference. I do not always get connected when I boot.
But I do get connected at random, when I have closed all internet
programs and am busy doing other things, at random it will just start
dialing. It just happened. I was offline for perhaps half an hour, and
it just dialed in

Run that command from a Command Prompt window.

I could not (at first) remember how to do that.

But I downloaded and used both utilities you recommend on your web
page, and ran them immediately.

The readouts before opening any internet programs are not helpful.

Both TCP View and Curr Ports do NOT show any TCP ports "Established"
I only get an Established port when I open my Newsgroup program
(Agent), or some other Internet Application. But after these unwanted
dial ups there are no "Established" Ports.

They show 3 TCP ports that are "Listening". Those are labeled "main
computer".

I will run the NETSTAT -ABNO command in a window the next time this
happens, but I cannot imagine that it will give different information
than these utilities does.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Seeker