Getting rid of annoying dialing sound

[Broni]

Very good...let me check them.

[Broni]

You didn't run HostsXpert
Why?

[dianeliz]

Yes, I did, just as you said.  What was it supposed to do?

[Broni]

It was supposed to reset your "hosts" file to its default, so there are no O1 entries in HJT log.
When you clicked on "Restore MS Hosts File", in right pane the whole text should be reduced to:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

Try again.

I'm pretty sure, your "hosts" file is a culprit, but we have to proceed carefully.

Also, do you have any knowledge of Nortel VPN Gateway?

[dianeliz]

I just tried it again and got what you said.  I don't remember seeing this before, but since I didn't know what to expect, I didn't realize I did anything wrong.  This time, after the mshosts thing, it asked me to press "ok", and then my virus checker got all discombobulated.  So, obviously, it did nothing before; I don't know why.

Anyway, I'll shut down all my programs and do all those hijack logs again.

Oh, and no, I have no knowledge of "Nortel VPN Gateway".

[Broni]

OK. Restart computer, and post HJT from Normal Mode only, for now.

[dianeliz]

Got all 3, so feel free to ignore the ones you don't need.  (I just read your reply.)

[Saving space - attachment deleted by admin]

[Broni]

It looks much better.
I'll analyze it further in a moment, but couple of questions, first.
Did you restart?
Do you still have dialing sound present?

[Saviour]

I believe this may be interference related.  It could be your speakers/speaker wires aren't shielded...and are picking up some type of electronic interference...either from the home...or an outside influence.

Have you tried relocating the computer to another area of the home...or maybe even checking your speaker connections and placement?

Make sure your speaker wires are not overlapping electrical cords...or if you're using a surge protector...try another one.

I think you'll want to eliminate the interference, first, before you delve too much further into it being malware or any other type of hardware issue.

[Broni]

I don't think so, Steve. The sound is not present in Safe Mode, or Safe Mode with Networking.
I'm pretty confident, I can see some entries, which may be responsible for dialing sound, but we can't rush anything here.
I need to hear from dianeliz, first.

[Saviour]

You got it, Broni...backing on outta here.

[Broni]

Hey, no problem, Steve. I HOPE, I got it

[Saviour]

*Steve sits patiently with fingers crossed...

[dianeliz]

Boy, you guys are so much faster at replying than I am.  :-)  I guess it's because I'm working (yes, at home).  Anyway, I moved my 2 speakers next to each other, but it had no effect.  I still have that dialing sound, and the mshosts thing didn't seem to help.

Yes, I rebooted before each hijack this.

I'm happy to start disabling programs on a temporary basis to see what works.  You don't think this could have been a microsoft update, do you?  Of course, if it were that simple, thousands of people would be having the same problem.

This is a long shot since I got my Vonage computer phone in March 2007, and this problem just started this year, though I don't remember exactly when.  Could there be any connection there?

Thank you SOOO much for your amazing patience & perseverance!

[patio]

This is a long shot since I got my Vonage computer phone in March 2007,

Ahaaaaa! !
Find out if they will swap it out for a test...