Modem stays connected after disconnect?

[CayJon]

In my brothers computer, after disconnecting via the modem icon in the systray, the line is still open. In modem properties under more info, it says port already open. He can not get a dial tone on the phone. He has to unplug the phone wire from the wall jack to get the tone. Any suggestions / solutions?....thanks. (hardware or software?)

ps: I reinstalled drivers to no avail. Wondering should I delete entire modem and reinstall?

 

[Scoober]

I had that same issue with an old Zoom 28.8 years ago. It first started happening after a lightning strike near my apartment. I had the computer in a surge protector, but not the phone line. I'm guessing the lightning traveled down the phone line since my computer as a whole was ok, but it took out my cordless phone as well as the modem. The modem worked and I continued to use it for a while... I just had to unplug the modem line after each call.