If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs
of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Can I just delete these 'm' programs? Are they known security or virus programs? Or are they Dell specific tools that we really need? Note they do not show up in the 'normal' Windows XP add/remove programs (which lies) but they show up in the CCleaner and X-Setup Pro add/remove programs (which I believe tell more of the truth). Do you know what these programs are? Lisa |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
lisa harkema wrote:
What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Can I just delete these 'm' programs? Are they known security or virus programs? Or are they Dell specific tools that we really need? Note they do not show up in the 'normal' Windows XP add/remove programs (which lies) but they show up in the CCleaner and X-Setup Pro add/remove programs (which I believe tell more of the truth). Where are the programs on your hard drive? Give the fully qualified path; e.g., c:\Program Files\name-of-program\executable or c:\Windows\System32\executable. Malke -- Elephant Boy Computers www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!" MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
On Sat, 07 Oct 2006 16:59:35 -0700, Malke
wrote: What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Where are the programs on your hard drive? Hi Malke, I do not know where they are on my hard drive. When I run a Windows XP search, they're not found. They are only in the Add/Remove Programs applications. Is there another way to find out how/why these 'm' programs are installed but hidden from the 'normal' WinXP add/remove programs? Lisa |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs
of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Interestingly, I find absolutely no mention of these 'm' programs in the google groups (search just run) but the following references in Google web searches show that others are as perplexed as I with the same programs showing up in the true add remove programs listings. http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50237 http://forum.ccleaner.com/lofiversio...php/t5940.html http://forums.pcpitstop.com/lofivers...p/t124518.html http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index...#entry8 04529 http://forums.us.dell.com/supportfor...ssage.id=45484 http://forum.malwareremoval.com/view...3de b2df1b2d8 http://forums.spybot.info/archive/index.php/t-2800.html etc. While it's gratifying to know I'm not the only one in the world with a score of 'm' programs running (when you really look at the real add/remove programs) ... none of these sites actually tell us WHAT these m programs are and if they should be deleted or not. Do YOU know what these 'm' programs are? Lisa |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
"Malke" wrote in message ... lisa harkema wrote: What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Can I just delete these 'm' programs? Are they known security or virus programs? Or are they Dell specific tools that we really need? Note they do not show up in the 'normal' Windows XP add/remove programs (which lies) but they show up in the CCleaner and X-Setup Pro add/remove programs (which I believe tell more of the truth). Where are the programs on your hard drive? Give the fully qualified path; e.g., c:\Program Files\name-of-program\executable or c:\Windows\System32\executable. Malke -- Elephant Boy Computers www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!" MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User Hi Malke These look like the sort of items listed in part of a 'hijackthis' log? Antioch |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I justremove them?)?
lisa harkema wrote:
What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Can I just delete these 'm' programs? Are they known security or virus programs? Or are they Dell specific tools that we really need? Note they do not show up in the 'normal' Windows XP add/remove programs (which lies) but they show up in the CCleaner and X-Setup Pro add/remove programs (which I believe tell more of the truth). Do you know what these programs are? Lisa Is your computer a brand name (if so, what?), or a put-it-together job? -- the alt.privacy.spyware FAQ: http://shplink.com/misc/FAQ.htm |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
If you looked at subject, you would see 'dell'
" -- the alt.privacy.spyware FAQ: http://shplink.com/misc/FAQ.htm |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
Professional way: Ask a qualified computer expert. Patience way: Look
at every single program on Add and Remove, look up the required files for those programs online, and if it's not in anyone, delete it. My Personal Favorite way: Jus' delete 'em. It's only 1500 dollars for a new one, and 800 dollars if you don't mind a slow one. lisa harkema wrote: What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Can I just delete these 'm' programs? Are they known security or virus programs? Or are they Dell specific tools that we really need? Note they do not show up in the 'normal' Windows XP add/remove programs (which lies) but they show up in the CCleaner and X-Setup Pro add/remove programs (which I believe tell more of the truth). Do you know what these programs are? Lisa |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
Tom Willett wrote:
If you looked at subject, you would see 'dell' " -- the alt.privacy.spyware FAQ: http://shplink.com/misc/FAQ.htm Sorry, my bad. I have my columns sized down and got careless. Doing some searches with the parameters "dell" and some of the m whatsises might help the OP. She probably already did, so I'll be quiet now. ;-) -- the alt.privacy.spyware FAQ: http://shplink.com/misc/FAQ.htm |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
lisa harkema wrote:
What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Can I just delete these 'm' programs? Are they known security or virus programs? Or are they Dell specific tools that we really need? Note they do not show up in the 'normal' Windows XP add/remove programs (which lies) but they show up in the CCleaner and X-Setup Pro add/remove programs (which I believe tell more of the truth). Do you know what these programs are? shplink wrote: Is your computer a brand name (if so, what?), or a put-it-together job? Seriously.. Wow. How can you miss the two mentions of the name brand of this system... One in the subject line no less...? Lisa, I think you are putting too much stock in these third-party add/remove programs. If you were smart and ordered the Windows XP CD with your Dell laptop - since it is new - format it with that Windows XP CD and get rid of all the Dell crud and put only your stuff on it... Then you know exactly what is there. -- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP -- How To Ask Questions The Smart Way http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 01:43:04 +0100, "antioch" wrote:
These look like the sort of items listed in part of a 'hijackthis' log? Actually, these 'm' programs are listed in the CCleaner Add or Remove Programs section (and in the X-Setup Pro add remove wizard); they were NOT listed in a HiJackThis log (although the references I posted from googling _were_ listed from Hijackthis log files). Point is that I'm not the only one with a perfectly standard DELL laptop that has these 'm' programs. Question is: What are they and what happens if we delete them? Lisa |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
On Sat, 07 Oct 2006 19:02:20 -0600, shplink
wrote: Is your computer a brand name (if so, what?), or a put-it-together job? Dunno why this matters but it's a 100% Dell laptop, whose WinXP operating system was supplied by Dell. I do have the three recovery disks; but they install the same Dell softare as what was originally on the laptop PC. I do suspect these 'm' files are Dell specific ... but I would need another Dell user to confirm. If you have a Dell laptop ... can you do this? 1. Download & install CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com 2. Run the CCleaner "Tools" "Uninstall" wizard. 3. Tell us if you see the same 'm' programs that I see. Lisa |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
On Sat, 7 Oct 2006 20:25:21 -0500, "Tom Willett"
wrote: If you looked at subject, you would see 'dell' Yup. Dell. 100% factory. If anyone else has a Dell laptop, can they look for these same 'm' program files running in the CCleaner add remove programs listing and report back to us if you have the same 'm' files I have. Lisa |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
Hi Lisa,
I think what you may be seeing are programs that were installed by the OEM (Dell, in this case) that they did not want the end user to remove, possibly because they are integral to certain features of the laptop, or to their support plan. Most if not all of the entries appear to be for troubleshooting and configuring an Intel wireless adapter and drivers (does the laptop have an integrated wireless adapter?). Removing the items may well be "shooting yourself in the foot" if the applications are needed for the functioning of your wireless adapter. I would *not* remove any of them for that reason. Have you asked Dell support personnel about them? The most likely reason they all have an "m" at the front of their names is that one method to hide an item in the Registry's uninstall keys is to use the "ApplicationDisplayName" string to identify the items to be hidden. The OEM may have used a script to hide all entries in the Uninstall key whose DisplayName began with "m" at the time the system was built (before you got it and installed more apps). I would be wary of the suggestion to wipe the system and install fresh from a Windows CD only because you may find items such as the integrated wireless adapter no longer work, unless you can download and install the drivers and configuration apps from Dell.....in which case you'd likely be back where you began, but with the items perhaps no longer hidden. That assumes that Dell has those apps available for download. Hope this helps. -- Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "lisa harkema" wrote in message ... On Sat, 07 Oct 2006 16:59:35 -0700, Malke wrote: What are these 'm' programs that show up in the Add or Remove Programs of CCleaner and X-Setup Pro (but not in WinXP Add or Remove Programs)? mIWA mIWCA mLogView mMHouse mPfMgr mPfWiz mProSafe mSSO mToolkit mWlsSafe mXML mDrWiFi mHlpDell etc. Where are the programs on your hard drive? Hi Malke, I do not know where they are on my hard drive. When I run a Windows XP search, they're not found. They are only in the Add/Remove Programs applications. Is there another way to find out how/why these 'm' programs are installed but hidden from the 'normal' WinXP add/remove programs? Lisa |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?
On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 01:57:53 -0400, "glee"
wrote: Hi Lisa, I think what you may be seeing are programs that were installed by the OEM (Dell, in this case) that they did not want the end user to remove, possibly because they are integral to certain features of the laptop, or to their support plan. Most if not all of the entries appear to be for troubleshooting and configuring an Intel wireless adapter and drivers (does the laptop have an integrated wireless adapter?). Removing the items may well be "shooting yourself in the foot" if the applications are needed for the functioning of your wireless adapter. I would *not* remove any of them for that reason. Have you asked Dell support personnel about them? The most likely reason they all have an "m" at the front of their names is that one method to hide an item in the Registry's uninstall keys is to use the "ApplicationDisplayName" string to identify the items to be hidden. The OEM may have used a script to hide all entries in the Uninstall key whose DisplayName began with "m" at the time the system was built (before you got it and installed more apps). I would be wary of the suggestion to wipe the system and install fresh from a Windows CD only because you may find items such as the integrated wireless adapter no longer work, unless you can download and install the drivers and configuration apps from Dell.....in which case you'd likely be back where you began, but with the items perhaps no longer hidden. That assumes that Dell has those apps available for download. Hope this helps. Oop. I already deleted some of them. And, YES, I DO have a wireless card installed by the manufacturer. I'd better hold off on deleting them I guess. I got rid of about half of them. I generally don't use the wireless card but I do use it when I travel. Lisa |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|