What's using my modem?

[Bill Ridgeway]

I have fax software (Ventafax) which is giving an error message "Modem
occupied by another application". It would seem that something is scanning
the modem every 20 seconds. In normal operation it's possible to hear (via
the telephone) the modem dialling out but nothing is heard. I'm not aware
of any changes that should have this effect. How do I find out what
software may be causing this? I can't see anything obvious either in the
Services or StartUp of System Configuration Utility.

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway

 

[Old Enough]

I have fax software (Ventafax) which is giving an error message "Modem
occupied by another application". It would seem that something is scanning
the modem every 20 seconds. In normal operation it's possible to hear (via
the telephone) the modem dialling out but nothing is heard. I'm not aware
of any changes that should have this effect. How do I find out what
software may be causing this? I can't see anything obvious either in the
Services or StartUp of System Configuration Utility.

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway

Bill: Could you have malware on your machine which makes outgoing
cals without your knowledge? This does not exactly fit in with your
description of what's happening, but who knows . . . .
See http://tinyurl.com/yq6fy5

Since my computer accesses the internet via DSL, I only use the modem
for sending the odd FAX.
I have made it a habit to leave the modem unplugged from the phone
line except when actualy sending a FAX. Just insurance . . . . .
_________________________________
Old Enough
to know I don't know a thing ....

 

[Bill Ridgeway]

Bill: Could you have malware on your machine which makes outgoing
cals without your knowledge? This does not exactly fit in with your
description of what's happening, but who knows . . . .
See http://tinyurl.com/yq6fy5

Since my computer accesses the internet via DSL, I only use the modem
for sending the odd FAX.
I have made it a habit to leave the modem unplugged from the phone
line except when actualy sending a FAX. Just insurance . . . . .
_________________________________
Old Enough
to know I don't know a thing ....

Thanks for that suggestion. My post was rather late list night so I've only
just got around to updating NIS and scanning. Nothing found.

I should have added that when whatever it is "occupied" the lights on the
modem do not show any activity. Also the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl / Alt /
Del) (Applications or Processes) doesn't show anything that looks unusual.

Bill Ridgeway

 

[Bill Ridgeway]

Thanks for that suggestion. My post was rather late list night so I've
only just got around to updating NIS and scanning. Nothing found.

I should have added that when whatever it is "occupied" the lights on the
modem do not show any activity. Also the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl / Alt
/ Del) (Applications or Processes) doesn't show anything that looks
unusual.

Bill Ridgeway

What was using my modem??

The error message suggested the problem was caused by another application
using the modem so, naturally, I followed that up looking for the culprit.
Well after spending some time on what turned out to be a blind alley I
thought of the old standby "switch it off and see what happens" (or, if
you're old enough "big red switch time"). It worked. The culprit was a
hardware problem not a software problem. The USB connection was iffy!!

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway