Jenny

Basically, I have a crapload of things constantly running on my system. I'm trying to cut out the unneccessary ones, to save on memory, etc.

Here's the list of stuff that I have questions about.

acrotray.exe - AcroTray.exe is the Acrobat Assistant used when you print your documents to a PDF. While converting documents to a PDF this process should not be removed. So how do I stop it from showing up automatically?

iPodService.exe - ipodservice.exe is a process belonging to Apple's iTunes peer-to-peer download tool. This is a non-essential process. Disabling or enabling this is down to user preference. So how do I disable it?

iTunesHelper.exe - iTunesHelper.exe is a process belonging to Itunes MP3 streaming tool by Apple, which allows you to play MP3's. This process speeds up iTunes when it starts, and the program also monitors for connected iPod devices. This is a non-essential process. Disabling or enabling this is down to user preference. Same as above.

KEM.exe - KEM.exe is a process belonging to the SetPoint Configuration Utility, and allows for advanced configuration and diagnostics. This program is non-essential process to the running of the system, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems. That really doesn't tell me much. ??

PDVDServ.exe - PDVDServ.exe is a process belonging to PowerDVD which allows a user to plug in a remote control. This program is non-essential process to the running of the system, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems. No remote control here. How do I remove it and keep it from running automatically?

svchost.exe - svchost.exe is a system process belonging to the Microsoft Windows Operating System which handles processes executed from DLLs. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated.

Note: svchost.exe is also a process which is registered as the Trojan.W32.Dasher. It takes advantage of the Windows LSASS vulnerability, which creates a buffer overflow and instigates your computer to shut down. To see more information about this vulnerability please look at the following Microsoft bulletin: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms04-011.mspx So what can I use to tell me if it is good or bad?

tfswctrl.exe - tfswctrl.exe is an essential process for HP's packet writing software which burns data to CD's using Microsoft Windows explorer. This program is a non-essential system process, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems. I never burn CDs with anything but Nero, etc... Do I really need this? & if not, how do I keep it from running?

TIA.

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mechmike0034

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

EasyCleaner has this feature, as does Spybot Search and Destroy (under tools in the Advanced mode)

svchost.exe should be OK provided you're current on Windows Updates. I'd disable the rest of the services you mentioned.

More good info on optimizing/streamlining XP can be found here:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

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hoey222

if you go into regedit
hkey local machine software microsoft windows current version run

any service that you want to eliminate put a semicolon ; at the beginning of the dataline that rems it out. this way if you need it. you can just take out the semicolon and reboot and the service will be there


also check hkey current user software microsoft windows current version run

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Jcranmer

Start Menu -> RUN msconfig

Select the startup tab and uncheck what you don't want/need.

Markel

Much easier than msconfig - get Startup Inspector. It will show every process that is getting launched, and has on online database lookup for many processes what will tell you what they are, whether they are necessary, optional, not recommended, etc.

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seqiro

Personally for most of those I wouldn't even bother. They usually just lie there dormant and use minimal RAM and resources.

acrotray.exe - Do you create PDF files (if not, why do you have a full version of Acrobat)? If so, I'd leave this.

iPodService and iTunesHelper - Even if you disable this, after a few opens iTunes restores it.

KEM.exe - Sounds like you have a keyboard like a Logitech that has special buttons on it. If you disable this, the special buttons will no longer work.

svchost.exe - Any virus scanner will tell you if you have a trojan. Otherwise, it's normal and necessary for this process to be there.

tfswctrl.exe - If you delete this task, you may no longer be able to read burned CDs in your drive. I wouldn't touch it unless it's causing a problem.

I guess the way I feel is that I wouldn't bother with any of those processes unless they were causing a problem. Any gains will be minimal at best and if you're really low on RAM, you'd gain a lot more by just buying a little more RAM.

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Jenny

Cool.

Well, did a reformat so will just leave that stuff alone then.

Thanks.