What's this about 'Phantom Drivers'
and how can it affect my modem?

The term 'Phantom Drivers' refers to a very specific problem in Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / ME's Device Manager. What happens is drivers are either duplicated (or more) or unneeded drivers loaded into Windows at startup.

What will commonly happen when Phantom Drivers are present are:

• When trying to connect you hear a dial tone but you get the error, 'There is no dial tone'

• Great difficulty in getting a dialup connection

• The modem sends the same tones over and over and over and over...

• The modem eventually locks on a single long tone

• Slow connection speeds

• Sporadic data transfers

• The modem is still connected but you can't get to any web pages or mail

To determine if you have this problem is fairly simple:

1. Click <START> <SETTINGS> <CONTROL PANEL>

2. Double-Click <SYSTEM>, then click <DEVICE MANAGER>

3. Make sure the dot is on View Devices By Type

4. Click the Plus-Sign next to each category to open them EXCEPT for SYSTEM DEVICES

5. Write down the list of all the categories and items listed EXCEPT for SYSTEM DEVICES

6. Now restart your computer in SAFE MODE
   Instructions on restarting in safe mode are available here.

7. Go back into Device Manager and compare what shows up now against your written list

Anything that shows up in SAFE MODE that did not show up in NORMAL MODE is a Phantom Driver and is being loaded by Windows whether you need the driver or not - usually NOT.

If you have NEW categories, or DUPLICATED ITEMS in a category...
BuffNET HIGHLY suggests having a trained professional deal with cleaning out these problems.

Since this is a system related issue, BuffNET can not and will not assist you with clearing this problem out.