DUN and/or Virus problems...?

[ChromWolf]

I'm currently working on a Compaq system that INSISTS on trying to establish a dialup connection LITERALLY every 2 seconds...

Before, the system would actually lock after loading windows; things would finish loading, and then the moniter would "go black" (stil receiving signal); fixed that problem by uninstalling software called "Bargain Buddy"...

Anyway, I had gotten it pretty much working, but I was still concerned that RNAAPP would CONSTANTLY try to be open in the background (I know that RNAAPP is part of the DUN software package, but I also know it's not supposed to be running in the background unless you have an active DUN connection running)... However, at the time, it wouldn't actually try to dial up. I installed Norton SystemWorks 2003 in order to scan for viruses; it found none, but because the computer had no NIC (and we have DSL, which means not alot of avilability to connect via phone line since there's only one line), I couldn't update the virus definitions; so, I installed a NIC (I have plenty of extras, and feel no qualms about throwing one in just for that and then taking it out again).

However, since I installed the NIC (it's a D-Link 530), one "type" of DUN window continuously pops up, asking to dial up about every 2 seconds after I've closed the previous one (I say "one type" becase it's not the same window one would see if one clicked on a DUN connection icon, such as in the DUN folder, indicating to me that some program is trying to auto-dial, and it's settings are a bit screwed up). I uninstalled AOL and CompuServe, since both were installed (the owner of the computer now uses MSN), but that didn't seem to make any change. If I let the computer boot normally, which in turn loads RNAAPP over and over again, Windows will repeatedly report that certain applications the owner wants running at startup will crash, and then eventually Explorer itself, all by WS2_32.DLL (which is oart of the Windows Socket software package, according to the version of the same file on my computer). If I let the computer boot normally but constantly hit Ctrl/Alt/Del to close out RNAAPP whenever it's in the background (about every 2 to 10 seconds, depending on whether or not something has opened up), then Windows remains more or less intact. Once Windows is finished loading, and RNAAPP has been prevented from remaining open, if nothing else is opened, RNAAPP is not activated. However, if one so much as opens My Computer, RNAAPP is activated (and must be closed, or the computer will crash as previously described).

What's going on here? to the best of my knowledge, I don't *think* any proprietary dialing software is installed; there's a DUN icon for MSN, but that's just windows software, and I've made sure it's not automatically dialing (I've also made sure that windows isn't "Always Dial[ing] a connection" in the Internet Options area. Is some other program telling windows to auto-dial? is this a virus? Do I just need to un/reinstall DUN? Or is windows hosed to a point where a format is in order?

I know how to do any of the above circumstances, I'm just not sure which is the best course of action, and wanted opinions from people, since you guys all rock like that.

--Rob

[Redo40]

Check "Msconfig" and see what is starting up with the computer, if a dialer is on the computer it should show up in there. Also, install Spybot S&D or Ad-Aware and check for spyware. Keep us posted on how it's going.

[ChromWolf]

sorry, guess I forgot to mention that---I had already run through msconfig and gotten rid of pretty much everything that wasn't windows related, or that the owner still wanted active. However, since there are several pieces of software that are still active that I'm not familiar with, it's entirely possible that one ore more of them contain spyware.... on the other hand, this problem (that is, RNAAPP starting up repeatedly) happens when no other programs are active---as in, "Explorer" and "Systray" are the only two items listed in the Close Program window... However, accessing the internet may not be an option; while I've installed the network card, I still have to constantly Ctrl Alt Del it to close down RNAAPP, and when I tried to use IE after running the Connection Wizard again and setting things up to use the network, it still wanted to dial... so, as I say, installing spyware removers may not be an option, since I have to download them (and SpyBot S&D is 3.5 MB). ...Any other suggestions...? (Sorry, guess my brain is sorta fried, I shouldda mentioned both of these things before hand)

[Redo40]

Can you download the spyware programs on your machine and burn them onto a data cd? Then take them to the other machine and install them.

[ChromWolf]

not so much... the burner I happen to have in the system is pretty much all but dead.. I think it still usually *reads* CD's, but it ceased being able to burn them a while ago... I can *try* to see about getting it over the network, but of course, I can't guarantee that the network connection works, simply because RNAAPP keeps wanting to get in the way of things.... I can give it a shot, though... otherwise, what I can do is just un/reinstall DUN (though I REALLY don't want to do it...) and then just check things out afterwards.. I can see if things still run strangely, or if nothing else just connect things over the network using the broadband, update the virus definitions, and download the spyware removal stuff that way... ::sigh:: unfortunately, I won't really have time to do that for a while, so we'll see...... ..Any other suggestions in the meantime, though..? (and thanks for what you've done so far, Redo40)

[Redo40]

Nothing lost but time, you might as well write all the DUN info down and try it. If you have all the info it won't take long. Even if the machine seems to be running right afterwards I would still check for the spyware, you never know what you'll find on computers these days.

[catfishjoe_1]

Try to clean the burner. I have used the cleaning cds and I have also taken them apart to clean the laser diode with a q-tip and isoprpyl alchohol. You should really try to get Spy-bot s&d. I think you will be surprised what still can be there.
cat

[ChromWolf]

Catfish, I have an older burner that "died" (at least, so I think) the same way.... I tried using pressurized air to clean it out, but that didn't help... could that work for that burner as well? I guess the only problem I have with it is I'm not too comfy taking apart a burner for fear of breaking it, especially since the one that at least functions as a CD-ROM drive isn't actually mine, it's a friend's (he's currently got a far better one, but it's not technically mine all the same)....

On a side note, I can never be surprised by what spyware is running in the background---I would be surprised only if there was none. :P Remember, I never said I doubt there's any spyware there, just that it may not be an option to go with.... I need to see if it can get online... so really, I suppose I'll just get over it, and un/reinstall DUN, since really, it's probably the easiest of the solutions to try, even though I HATE doing it... (I used to do it for a tech support job I had a while back for AT&T WorldNet, and it always sucked... course, that was with people who usually only half knew what they were doing...) Sooooooo yeah, I suppose I'll probably get off my arse and do it tonight or tomorrow... Thanks for the advice on the Spyware (specificaly which remover; I've heard good and bad stuff about Ad-Aware), and for the good advice on the burner (specifically, what to use, and where)--see, that's why I love this place... It's PERPETUALLY helpful, an engine that will never run out of steam..