Strange problem from a friend

[mander]

What is happening when I log off of the internet and
I pick up the phone and there is no dial tone in the phone
or a busy signal beeping. I have logged off, I am not on line
anymore but, it's like I still am... remember I have dial up.
Then, I unplug the phone line from my puter and then everything
is ok...my phone is back to normal
Here's my question...could it be a hacker????
I was thinking maybe...but once I am off line they can't get in right???
Let me know your thoughts

Windows ME

[mitch]

You are saying disconnect?
After you say disconnect you can not surf right?
I think its probably an issue with your modem or the dialup adaptor.. (its just not releasing)

You might want to try this...

Start button... Settings... Control Panel.... Networking...
Configuration tab... Remove Dial Up Adapter & TCP/IP

Go into the device manager and delete the modem...

Re boot ... Windows will reinstall them (note you might require your windows cd) Update drivers for modem if needed

Go back to the Configuration tab and double check they have been installed... (if not use the add button)
Now.. click on TCP/IP.. select Properties.. Right click on DNS Configuration.. and make sure Disable DNS is selected... Right click on WINS Configuration .. make sure Disable Wins Resolution is selected.

Now delete your dial up connection to your ISP and use the Wizard to create a new one... When you have created the new dial up.. you need to enter the following information..
General tab.. Phone # (make sure you use the area code dialing rule)
Server Types... TCP/IP should be checked .. Click on TCP/IP Settings... Server assigned IP address should be selected and Specify name server address should be selected... Enter in your IP's.... Use IP header and Use default gateway should be selected.. click ok.. ok...
(It's a good idea to get this information .. IP #'s, phone # ect... before deleting the old dialup connection)
The only other information you will need is your user name and password...

[mander]

Not really too sure Mitch. What I posted was the exact words from the email I just received from her. I will update tomorrow with more info if I can. She has gone offline for the night but I will surely pass this on to her. Thanks.

[Dr.Dan]

Be sure to tell her to do all the usual spyware / trojen scans to make sure there isn't something using the line costing her hundreds of $$$

If it's clean, then follow mitch's instuctions.

It could also be the modem card has a problem...

[Ken_ver_1_5]

if its an older us robotics modem. the relay has gone bad
it will stick.

[mander]

if its an older us robotics modem. the relay has gone bad
it will stick.

I do believe you are right Ken. Just got an email from her today and she said that AOL told her they believe the modem isn't releasing right away. I have suggested she just get it replaced and end her problems. They are cheap enough these days anyways. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[Bogie]

Just an additional suggestion, as I remember these modem challenges very well. When she gets the new modem, uninstall the drivers for the old one then shut down the computer. Remove the modem. Reboot the computer without a modem. Shut down the computer. Install the new modem. Restart the computer and let Windows install it.

The key is restarting without any modem before installing a new one.

[mander]

Thanks Bogie. I am sure she will take it somewhere to have the modem installed as she is not familiar with installing anything other than software and wont even go inside the box.