NIC and Modem both are PINGing Same time

I have a new machine with Windows 98se loaded. When PINGing any other device on the network the modem tries to connect to the internet, and the NIC also starts sending packets. 25% of the packet sent are lost, usually the second set, right when the modem kicks off.
I have disabled the modem, and even uninstalled it, but the same thing still happens. It just can’t find a modem.
Both the NIC and the Modem share IRQ 11.