|
Program Name
|
Comments
|
| *Adaptec
DirectCD |
Allows
the user to drag and drop files to a CD-R. If this capability
isn't used frequently, this doesn't need to always be loaded. |
| Adobe
Gamma Loader.exe |
Used
to load graphics parameters. Not necessary in Startup. |
| Ahqtb |
More
controls for a Creative sound card. These functions are all
available through the Start menu. |
| alogserv.exe |
A
McAfee program. It is reported to cause jerky graphics response
in a number of games. |
| *AudioHQ |
This
loads the desktop control panel for the Creative Live card.
Leave it checked if you want it. |
| *AvconsoleEXE |
This
is an antivirus program. Some users don't have AV running all
the time, preferring rather to do manual scans. It's your call. |
| *C:\Program
File\Dell\Motive |
Related
to Dell's Resolution Assistant |
| CleanSweep,
SmartSweep, InternetSweep |
All
three of these CleanSweep modules can be run manually. |
| Cal
reminder shortcut |
Produces
a pop-up reminder of events scheduled using the MS Works Calendar. |
| Controller |
This
starts WinFax Pro at startup. Not needed. |
| Critical
Update |
Contacts
Microsoft frequently looking for updates. Uncheck it and visit
the update site manually. |
| *CSInject.exe |
Related
to CleanSweep. Unchecking it will disable some functions of
CleanSweep. Details are available here. |
| **CTSysVol |
This
is associated with a Creative sound card, and adds volume controls to
the Windows volume controls |
| DDT |
See
DellWB1 |
| DEMCleanup |
See
DellWB1 |
| DellWB1,
DellWB2, DellWB3, etc. |
These
programs are used by Dell as part of the software download checkout at
the factory. If they are still on your machine, they serve no
purpose. You can delete them by going to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE|Software|Microsoft|Windows|CurrentVersion|Run and
right-clicking any found there and selecting "Delete."
Do the same for
HKLM|Software|Microsoft|Windows|CurrentVersion|RunServices. |
| *devldr16.exe |
Associated
with Creative Labs sound cards. Provides audio support for
DOS applications. If you don't have those, you don't need this. |
| Disknag |
This
is a little program that reminds you to make your backup diskettes.
It is not necessary in Startup. |
| *EM-EXEC |
This
is mouse software. Some users uncheck it with no problem.
Try unchecking it and if problems occur, restore it to Startup. |
| ENCMON |
The
Encompass Monitor. This program is the Connect Direct Program.
It is more trouble than it is worth and few use it. There are
instructions for its removal in the Dell Knowledge Base, here. |
| *EPSON
Background Monitor |
This
little utility is supposed to keep an Epson printer ready for quick
printing. Users report little difference whether it is on or
not. |
| **explorer |
This
is required for Windows. |
| **FEELitDeviceManager |
Associated
with Immersion TouchSense devices (Logitech Wingman Force Feedback
Mouse and possibly other peripherals) |
| **Hidserv.exe.run |
This
is the Human Interface Device Server, it is required if you are using
USB Audio Devices |
| HP
ScanPicture |
Used
with an HP scanner. It will load when the scanner is going to be
used--no need to have it available all the time. |
| *ICQ
NetDetect Agent |
This
automatically connects to ICQ when the user goes online. Not
necessary, but a convenience. |
| ICSMGR |
Monitors
DNS and DHCP requests for ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). |
| Iomega
Disk Icons |
All
this does is change the icon form the Iomega drive. |
| *Iomega
Startup Options |
This
is related to the Zip drive. It adds the right-click context
menu selections for the Zip drive. |
| Iomega
Watch |
Related
to the Zip drive--not needed. |
| LoadPowerProfile |
This
is required if you are using Power Management (accessed through
Start|Settings|Control Panel|Power). If so, there will be two
instances. This is normal. |
| Loadqm |
Loads
the MSN Explorer Query Manager--a waste of resources and bandwidth. |
| *Machine
Debug Manager |
Used
by developers for debugging. Those who have encountered it have
unchecked it with no degradation in performance. |
| *Mad.exe |
Related
to Dell's Resolution Assistant |
| *McAfeeWEbScanX |
Antivirus
program. Keep it unless you are sure you will faithfully do
manual scans and practice safe computing. |
| *MiniLog |
This
activates ZoneAlarm's logging module. It is not required if
logging is not enabled (by checking "Log alerts to a text
file" under the Alerts button. |
| Mixghost |
This
is management software for Altec Lansing speakers. If a change
is needed, the user can launch it from the Start menu. |
| Microsoft
Critical Update |
Detects
and installs critical updates from the Microsoft site. Most
users prefer to install these manually. |
| Microsoft
Find Fast |
This
program is unnecessary and troublesome when it is running. |
| Microsoft
Greetings Reminders |
Are
you willing to give up resources to remember Aunt Sadie's birthday?
Me either. |
| Microsoft
Office Startup |
A
resource hog and not needed. If quick access to Office is
needed, put a shortcut on the desktop. (Some users report that
unchecking this item cause difficulty. Bear this in mind if it
is removed and performance is degraded.) |
| Microsoft
Works Calendar Reminders |
See
Greetings Reminders, above. |
| mmtray |
Places
a Music Box Jukebox icon in the task tray. The program works
fine without it. |
| *Motive
Monitor |
Related
to Dell's Resolution Assistant |
| *MSMSGS |
MSN
Messenger Service. Not required at startup unless it is used
regularly. An easier way to remove it from startup is to open
the program, go to Tools|Options and uncheck "Run this program
when Windows starts" on the Preferences tab. f you are
running IE6, you should also go into Outlook Express to Tools|Options
and on the General tab uncheck the item that loads MSN Messenger at
startup. |
| *NAV
defalert |
This
a reminder from Norton Antivirus to update virus signatures.
Leave it if you think you might forget. |
| **Norton
AutoProtect |
This
is Norton's real-time scanner for viruses. It can save a lot of
grief in the event an email with a contaminated attachment. |
| Norton
Crashguard Monitor |
Generally
considered an unstable program, most users avoid it. |
| *Norton
Email Protect |
This
is a feature which sets up a proxy server to isolate the main system
from email-borne viruses. If this feature is not desired, it is
recommended that it be turned of in the programs control panel under
Options|E-Mail Protection. When it is inactivated incoming email
is still scanned as it is saved to your hard disk, but no proxy server
is involved as an additional layer of protection. |
| Norton
System Doctor |
A
major resource hog, you will be well off without it. |
| OSSetupDebug |
See
DellWB1 |
| **PCHealth |
This
is a part of Windows ME which is used to provide Restore
functionality. |
| *Pointer |
This
is mouse utilities, and is required for the wheel to work with full
functionality. |
| QuickShelf
99 |
Places
an icon in the system tray for launching Microsoft Bookshelf.
Use the Start menu or a shortcut instead. |
| Power
Reg Scheduler |
Displays
reminders to register software. Not needed. |
| Real
Jukebox Systray |
This
is the Jukebox counterpart to Real Player. It makes no
discernible difference if it is not running. |
| RealTray |
A
similar program to Real Jukebox Systray for RealPlayer v7. |
| Reminder |
Used
with Microsoft Money. Not needed at Startup. |
| rnaapp |
Used
in Dial Up Networking. It loads when you initiate a connection.
There is no particular reason to have it load at startup. |
| run=hpfsched |
This
program pops up a reminder to register a new HP printer or scanner.
It is not necessary. |
| **Rundll32.exe |
Required
for Dial Up Networking. This also appears in the Startup list if
the resolution monitor (used to change monitor resolution on the fly)
is placed in the system tray even if unchecked in Startup. |
| *RxMon,
RxUser |
Related
to Dell's Resolution Assistant |
| **ScanReg |
This
program scans your Registry at startup and makes copies. Useful
for backing up in the event of a corrupted Registry. |
| *Scheduling
Agent |
Keep
this if Task Scheduler is being used. I not, it can be
eliminated. |
| *SpeedRacer |
Software
for a Creative sound card. Not needed at startup. |
| *SSDPSRV.exe |
Provides
Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) and General Event
Notification Architecture (GENA) services for Universal Plug and Play
functionality. |
| **StateMgr |
Another
part of Windows ME required for Restore functionality. |
| *Stimon.exe
or StillimageMonitor |
Scanner
software. Can be deleted unless an HP scanner is used in which
case eliminating it will cause BSODs. |
| **Systray |
Required
for your clock and other items in the System Tray. |
| *TaskMonitor |
This
is a Microsoft utility which keeps track of the rate of usage of
programs to make defragging more efficient. With short seek
times and high transfer rates of today's hard drives, it is probably
superfluous. |
| *TCAUTIEXE,
TCAUDIAG |
These
are associated with the 3COM diagnostic module (3COM NIC Doctor).
No further information is available. |
| *Tips |
Provides
tips for using the mouse--probably not needed by most users. |
| *Touch
Manager |
A
keyboard utility. Not required for Windows, but a very nice
program. NOTE:: some users report that unchecking this item resulted
in loss of screen and power saver functions. |
| **TrueVector |
Required
for users running the ZoneAlarm firewall |
| *TweakUI |
Some
users will need to have this loaded at startup to enable some of its
options. If TweakUI is used to enter a network password it will
be listed twice. |
| *VoyetraTray |
This
provides an abbreviated Control Group for the Turtle Beach Montego II
sound functions/associated with AudioStation 3 and 32. |
| *Vs
Stat EXE |
McAfee
antivirus program. If you are careful about downloads and
faithfully perform manual virus scans this can be unchecked. For
most users, however, it should stay. |
| VsecomrEXE |
McAfee
"nag" popup to encourage users to upgrade to the latest
version. |
| *Vshwin32.exe |
Also
McAfee. Not needed if manual scans of downloads and disk
contents are faithfully done--should remain checked for most users. |
| *VsStat.exe |
See
Vshwin32.exe above. |
| Winmgmt.exe |
Used
for Enterprise Management. If you are not an IT Administrator
you don't need this to be running. |
| winmodem |
This
is not needed. |
| *Wkcalrem |
The
Works Calendar Reminder. Leave it checked if you want the
calendar to remind you of something. |
| WorksFUD
(wkfud.exe) |
A
marketing program for Microsoft Works. DEFINITELY NOT NEEDED. |
| WKDETECT |
An
program that automatically looks for updates for Microsoft Works.
The user can easily do this manually at convenient intervals. |
| ZipDisk
Icons |
Related
to the Zip drive--not needed. |
| **ZoneAlarm |
This
is the ZoneAlarm firewall program. |
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