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Modem Attempts to Dial When Windows Starts

When you start Windows, an attempt is made to connect to your Internet service provider. Following is a list of possible causes and their solutions:

You have a chat program - such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and ICQ - installed that attempts to connect to the internet on startup.

  • Disable the auto-start (or 'system tray') option in these programs' configurations.

    If all else fails:
  • Versions of Windows newer than 95 have a utility called msconfig. Click Start, Run, then type msconfig into the Open: box.
  • Click OK
  • In the System Configuration Utility window, click on the Startup tab.
  • Uncheck the offending entries.

You have an antivirus program that is configured to auto-update itself.

  • Update your antivirus software!
  • Decrease the frequency of the antivirus software's auto-update option.
  • Disable any options in the antivirus software that cause it to connect to the internet automatically if the computer is not currently connected.
  • Disable the auto-update options in the antivirus. Be sure to update it, even though you will no longer be prompted!

You use a program that automatically checks for updated components or Web pages.

A program that dials your ISP is located in the StartUp folder.

Remove such a program by removing it from the Startup folder. Under Windows 98 and above, use msconfig, as described above.

Under Windows 95:

  • Right-click on the Start button, choose Open
  • Double-click on the Programs icon
  • Double-click on the Startup folder
  • Right-click on the offending item
  • Choose Delete
  • Click Yes
  • Close any open windows.

Your computer is infected with a Trojan horse or virus such as System32.exe that starts when you start your computer.

  • Update your anti-virus software or install some. For a free antivirus, check out antivirus.cai.com

You are using a Lexmark printer. The Lexmark printer software may add Lexstart.exe to the Run key in the registry to handle print commands that you send to the printer. This can cause Dial-Up Networking to prompt you to dial your ISP.

  • Under Windows 98 and above, use msconfig as described above
  • Under Windows 95, remove Lexstart.exe from the registry key
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    Do not attempt this fix unless you are familiar with Registry editing!

You have installed a Beta version of RealAudio 5 on your computer.

  • Upgrade to a newer version of the Real.com's audio player.

Internet Explorer is configured to connect using a modem, and the following registry key is set to "Y": HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\OLE\EnableRemoteConnect

  • Change the value of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\OLE\EnableRemoteConnect to N
    Do not attempt this fix unless you are familiar with Registry editing!