What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just remove them?)?

[lisa harkema]

On Sat, 07 Oct 2006 19:02:20 -0600, shplink
<shplink@removeme.shplink.com> 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

[lisa harkema]

On Sat, 7 Oct 2006 20:25:21 -0500, "Tom Willett"
<tompepper@mvps.invalid> 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

[lisa harkema]

On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 01:57:53 -0400, "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com>
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

[lisa harkema]

On Sat, 7 Oct 2006 21:40:26 -0500, "Shenan Stanley"
<newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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.

The only problem with this is that DELL sends us three recovery disks
if you ask them to, none of which is a 'pure' windows xp cdrom.

One is the recovery cdrom for the system (with all dell drivers
included), the other is an application cdrom, and the third is yet
another application cdrom.

Dell doesn't provide a pure windows xp cdrom.
Lisa

[lisa harkema]

On 7 Oct 2006 19:17:55 -0700, "Ze Muffinman"
<truemuffinman@poetictimes.com> wrote:
>Professional way: Ask a qualified computer expert.

That's what I'm doing here.

> Patience way: Look up the required files for those programs
> online, and if it's not in anyone, delete it.

I did that until I found out that they may be used for the wireless
adapter. Plus, they are mentioned only in folks' hijackthis log on the
Internet. To my knowledge, I'm the first person to ever ask on the
Internet what they do.

>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.

I did that too. But now I found out they might be for the wireless
adapter. Oh my.

Lisa

[David H. Lipman]

From: "lisa harkema" <lisa.harkema@gmail.com>


|
| The only problem with this is that DELL sends us three recovery disks
| if you ask them to, none of which is a 'pure' windows xp cdrom.
|
| One is the recovery cdrom for the system (with all dell drivers
| included), the other is an application cdrom, and the third is yet
| another application cdrom.
|
| Dell doesn't provide a pure windows xp cdrom.
| Lisa

Since it is a Dell....



If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0 update 6,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE/JSE
Version 5.0 update 6. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being
exploited.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of Sun Java
to Version 6 on the PC that they be removed ASAP.

The latest version is Sun Java JRE/JSE Version 5.0 Update 9

Simple check, look under...
C:\Program Files\Java

The only folder under that folder should be the latest version.

Such as...
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09


http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

or

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

FYI:
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/docum...=1-26-102557-1


--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

[Shenan Stanley]

Shenan Stanley wrote:
> 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.

lisa harkema wrote:
> The only problem with this is that DELL sends us three recovery
> disks if you ask them to, none of which is a 'pure' windows xp
> cdrom.
>
> One is the recovery cdrom for the system (with all dell drivers
> included), the other is an application cdrom, and the third is yet
> another application cdrom.
>
> Dell doesn't provide a pure windows xp cdrom.

Dell *does* provide a pure Windows XP CD - but you have to ask (and usually
pay) for it - like $10.
Like I said - "... ordered the Windows XP CD with your Dell ..." - so, you
did not order it.

Call them, it's new - pay the $10 and get your Windows XP CD. Complain and
say that is what you actually want with this new system is ahte actual
Windows XP CD and not a recovery set... I know they do this from the
dozens of Dells that I see each month pass through.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[lisa harkema]

On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 08:21:45 -0400, "David H. Lipman"
<DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote:
>If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0 update 6,
>then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE/JSE
>Version 5.0 update 6. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being
>exploited.

I have the following on my Dell laptop:
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03

Does that mean I should remove it and re-install a newer Java?
What does Java do for me anyway?
I never execute any program called "Java" (sounds silly).

What is Java and why do I need it if it's exploited anyway?
All I do is look at web pages (I hate fancy moving web pages so I
don't ever even install Flash or RealPlayer, yuck!).

Do I really need this Java in the first place?
Lisa

[lisa harkema]

On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 07:57:57 -0500, "Shenan Stanley"
<newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>Dell *does* provide a pure Windows XP CD - but you have to ask (and usually
>pay) for it - like $10.

Oh. OK. Dell doesn't even say you can get a recovery disk (they say to
use the hard disk recover option) so I thought I was being clever by
asking for the 3-CD recovery set.

I'll give them a call again to see if they have a bare-bones Windows
XP CDROM. (Do they also provide the WinXP serial number or do I have
to save the one I already have on my system pre-installed?)

Lisa

[Shenan Stanley]

lisa harkema wrote:
> On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 07:57:57 -0500, "Shenan Stanley"
> <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Dell *does* provide a pure Windows XP CD - but you have to ask
>> (and usually pay) for it - like $10.
>
> Oh. OK. Dell doesn't even say you can get a recovery disk (they say
> to use the hard disk recover option) so I thought I was being
> clever by asking for the 3-CD recovery set.
>
> I'll give them a call again to see if they have a bare-bones Windows
> XP CDROM. (Do they also provide the WinXP serial number or do I have
> to save the one I already have on my system pre-installed?)

Should have a sticker on the machine itself...

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html