L32x

Load32

L32x.exe

(???)

You have the   W32.Dumaru.Y@mm / W32.Dumaru.Z@mm   virus.

Language

Language.exe

(CyberLink)

Startup task installed by CyberLink’s   PowerDVD,  PowerDirector,  and other titles.  It is also installed by many other programs written by CyberLink but sold under other badges (HP, Dell, Acer), such as Acer’s Arcade for example.

This task detects the currently installed version of Windows at Windows boot-up and, based on Windows language setting (e.g. English, French, German, Russian, etc...), sets certain parameters in the relevant CyberLink programs.

Recommendation :
Although it is of no use for English based PC systems, as the default for all CyberLink programs is English, it also does not hurt to simply leave this startup task enabled as all it does is run for a few milliseconds at Windows boot-up, does its tasks, and then terminates.  In our tests it has no impact on the time it takes for Windows to boot up.

Lans32w

Lans32w.exe

(LANSource)

Part of the   WinPort   network modem pooling and sharing software.  LANSource was bought in 1999 by 3Com and, with the advent of networked broadband access, WinPort quickly died as a product.

Recommendation :
If you still have this task running on your PC in 2005, it is 99% certain that it is no longer needed.  You should therefore first see if there are any  WinPort  or  LANSource  entries in the  “Add/Remove Programs”  icon in the Control Panel, and remove them if there are, and then you should delete/disable this entry on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter.

LCDClock

LCDClock.exe

(Logitech)

Logitech G-series LCD Clock.  Program which comes on the installation CD of the G series of gamers GamePanel keyboards.  Those keyboards, such as the G15 keyboard, have an LCD display at the top of the keyboard (GamePanel) which enables the gamer to keep track of specific Windows items while in the middle of a game where, typically, the game is normally using the entire screen with no part of the desktop or Taskbar visible.

This background task enables the gamer to keep track of the time by displaying the PC clock on the GamePanel (the LCD display on the keyboard). Various types of clock displays are available.

Recommendation :
Down to end-user requirements or preference.  In 2008 and beyond a number of games have specific extensions for the Logitech GamePanel keyboards with a few integrating their own clock display.

Your choice.  You can disable this process through the  Logitech GamePanel Manager  which shows as an icon in the System Tray.

This program normally uses 3Mb to 6Mb of memory.

Linksts

Linksts.exe

(Asuscom)

Tray icon which gets installed when you install the drivers for Asuscom internal ISDN modem cards (or rebadged Asuscom ISDN cards, such as MRi).  This icon enables you to monitor or configure your ISDN card. Once you have configured your ISDN card correctly, you will never need to use this icon.

Recommendation : 
Disable using  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  once you are satisfied that your ISDN card works properly.

Linksys EasyLink Advisor

Linksys EasyLink Advisor.exe

(Linksys)

Linksys EasyLink Advisor Browser.   You have the Linksys EasyLink Advisor currently open.  Or maybe not !!

Recommendation :
Read our entry on the  Linksys EasyLink Advisor Agent  for more details.

The problem with this task is that it will sometimes continue to run in the background after you have closed it, or, on other occasions, it will decide to run even if you have never opened the Linksys EasyLink Advisor during your current Windows session, a significant annoyance given that it consumes anything from 34Mb to 56Mb of memory.

Lmab1err

Lmab1err.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark Printer Status Messenger.  System Tray icon which gets installed by the drivers of some Lexmark printers.  This icon does nothing other than wait for warning or error conditions from your printer.  When a warning or error condition occurs (paper low, paper jam, toner cartridges low, inkjet cartridges low, etc...), it pops up a useful message to let you know of the condition.

Recommendation :
Down to end-user preference.

If you have a Lexmark printer which has an LCD display then warnings and errors will always be displayed on the LCD display and, usually, a warning/error light will also switch on.  The message displayed is usually self‑explanatory and some users may feel that that is enough of a warning mechanism and that they therefore do not need to have this task running as well.  Additionally, if the printer is networked you can usually also use your web browser to interrogate the printer and get more details of toner levels, etc...

You can disable this task on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter.

LMIGuardian

LMIGuardian.exe

(LogMeIn Inc)

LogMeIn Guardian.  Task whose sole purpose is to gather detailed information should a LogMeIn crash occur. It provides LogMeIn Inc with diagnostic information which enables them to analyze what caused the crash and what the solution may be.  It is similar to the  "Would you like to send this report to Microsoft ?”  error reporting feature of Windows.  This task will often appear twice on the  Tasks  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter.

Recommendation :
At the time of writing, 3-Sep-2008, there is no way to disable this task, so you have to live with it even if you do not like the idea of diagnostic information being sent from your PC or you do not llike the idea of an error reporting task taking up memory and CPU resources.  LogMeIn are, however, supposedly working on including the option to disable error reporting.

This task normally uses 1Mb to 4Mb of memory.  However, it will occasionally use as much as 23Mb of memory, and since in most cases it runs twice in the background that is potentially almost 50Mb of memory taken up by an error reporting task, a particularly aggravating scenario given that LogMeIn is generally extremely reliable and never crashes on most PCs.  Therefore, we suggest you pester LogMeIn till they introduce the option to disable this task.

LMS

LMS.exe

(Intel)

Intel Management and Security Application Local Management Service.  Background service which is a core service of Intel’s Active Management Technology.

First and foremost  Intel Active Management Technology  is aimed almost exclusively at enterprises, not at home users.  The reason it is found on home users’s PCs is that it is increasingly installed by default on most Intel-based retail PCs so that ...... enterprise IT departments discover it !   We are clear on this,  Intel Active Management Technology  is of no use in the home or small business environment.

Here is Intel’s statement of intent about Active Management Technology at the time of writing, 18‑Apr‑2010 :

----------

  “A major barrier to IT efficiency has been lowered by Intel Active Management Technology (Intel AMT), a feature of Intel Core™ vPro™ processors.  Using built-in platform capabilities and popular third-party management and security applications, Intel AMT allows IT to better discover, heal, and protect their networked computing assets

 Extensive surveys of numerous IT organizations — including Intel's — laid the groundwork for defining and designing Intel AMT.  Three of the top IT needs revealed by this research included better asset management, reduced downtime, and minimized desk-side visits.  Intel design teams determined that these issues were best addressed through platform architectural enhancements, resulting in the following features for supporting those needs.”.

----------

Additionally, the feature matrix of Intel AMT is unmistakable :   automatic discovery of PCs from a central location (the IT department) even when the PCs are turned off,  remote diagnostic, troubleshooting, and recovery  of PCs,  remote verification that the Intel AMT services are running and not infected with viruses,  remote updating of Intel AMT.

Recommendation :
If you are a home user or small business user, you absolutely do not need to have this software running, but please read this entire section before acting on this service.

If on the other hand you are an enterprise user who has the ability to use  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  on his/her PC, then seek advice from your IT department on this task.

Disabling this service
Note :  sometimes the manufacturer of your retail PC / laptop (e.g. the Dell, Acer, HP, Toshibas of this world) may make modifications to the  Intel Active Management Technology  software and integrate some of its own software with Intel AMT, with the result that when you disable the Intel AMT services, some functions of your laptop / PC are impaired.  Thus, if you decide to disable Intel AMT, it is important to make a note somewhere of the date when you disabled it (remember, the TUT log, from the TUT “View” menu) and then monitor your PC for any adverse consequential issues.  Additionally, to ensure that you know for certain that resultant issues were caused by the disabling of Intel AMT, do not make any other optimization changes in TUT at the same time as disabling Intel AMT.  Keep your optimization changes to Intel AMT only, monitor for one week or so, and then if everything is fine, then make other optimization changes.

You can disable this service by setting its  Startup Mode  to  Disabled  on the  Services  tab of TUT.

On about 85% of PCs this background service uses 2Mb to 7Mb of memory, while on the remaining 15% of PCs it uses anything from 12Mb to 28Mb of memory and at the same time uses anything from 12% to 50% of CPU time !!!

Loadqm

LoadQM.exe

(Microsoft)

This task loads the MSN Queue Manager and is installed when you install MSN Explorer or MSN Messenger.  LOADQM gobbles up system resources and appears on most end-users’ Task Lists who come to us complaining of low System & User Resources or very slow, “crawling”, PCs.  In March 2005 this is still one of the worst behaved Microsoft programs !

Recommendation :
Disable immediately as follows :

1)  Right-click on it on the  Tasks  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  and choose  Terminate this Task.

2)  Switch to the  Startups  tab.

3)  Right-click on this entry and choose  Rename the file that this Startup points to.

4)  Right-click on this entry again and this time choose  Delete this Startup Entry.

5)  Click the big green  APPLY  button to make your changes stick.

Note :  LOADQM gets re‑installed every time you install a new version of Microsoft’s MSN Messenger.  So, if you use MSN Messenger, you will need to re-do all the above the next time you upgrade MSN Messenger, either as a direct upgrade or through Windows Update.

Logwat95

Logwatnt

Logwat95.exe

Logwatnt.exe

(Computer Associates)

Essential software fix issued by Computer Associates to users of Unicenter products.  It corrects memory leaks and access violation errors in the licensing modules of the products involved (for example :  CA Visual Objects 2.5, ControlIT, Remotely Possible).

Recommendation :
If you are still using a relevant Computer Associates product, keep it, otherwise delete it from the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  in Windows 9x/ME,  or set its  Startup Mode  to  Disabled  on the  Services  tab of The Ultimate Troubleshooter in Windows NT4/2000/XP.

LPMLCHK

LPMLCHK.exe

(Lenovo)

Lenovo ThinkVantage Productivity Center Mail Checker.  Program found on Lenovo laptops which enables the user to have a System Tray and/or  Button Light notification of an incoming email (you first need to configure the notification with the details of your POP email account) without your main email program needing to be open.

Recommendation :
Down to end-user requirements.  If you do not use it simply disable it through the  ThinkVantage Productivity Center  and then also on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter.  This task normally uses 2Mb to 9Mb of memory.

Lsasrv

Lsass

Lsasrv.exe

(???)

You have the   W32.Mydoom.AG@mm  \  W32/Mydoom.af@MM  \  WORM_SWASH.A    virus.

Lsass  (1)

Lsass.exe

(Microsoft)

Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008.  LSASS is the Local Security Authentication Server.  It verifies the validity of user logons to your PC/Server  (in technical jargon :  it generates the process that is responsible for authenticating users for the Winlogon service).

Recommendation :
An integral part of the operating system, leave alone provided that its full path as shown in  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  is either   C:\WinNT\System32\LSASS.exe  (Windows NT4/2000)   or   C:\Windows\System32\LSASS.exe   (Windows XP/2003/vista/2008).  Double-click on this task to check it’s path.

If the path is anything else then you may have a virus.

Lsass  (2)

Lsass.exe

(???)

If the full path to this program as shown in  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  is  not  C:\WinNT\System32\LSASS.exe  (Windows NT4/2000)  or  C:\Windows\System32\LSASS.exe  (Windows XP, 2003/2008),  then you have the  W32.Nimos.Worm  virus or some other virus.  Double-click on this task to check it’s path.

Recommendation :
Make sure you have up‑to‑date reputable antivirus software and then reboot your PC into Safe Mode and run a full virus scan.

LSASS

(PolicyAgent  service)

LSASS.exe

(Microsoft)

IPSEC Services service.  IPSec = Internet Protocol Security.  IPSec is a framework developed to provide authentication (login/password) and encryption at the network layer level rather than at the transport or application layer levels.

If you have purchased from a secure website, or if you use webmail, you will know about SSL (Secure Socket Layer) which ensures that your transaction with the website, or the reading of your emails on Yahoo or Hotmail, is secure.  This is application & transport layer security :  the secure website tells your browser that it wants to have a secure communication, and the secure communication commences.  While this is happening, you can still access other non-secure parts of the same website, e.g. MSN.COM, or AnswersThatWork.com, in a different tab of your browser and those pages will not be communicated with any security attached to them.

In network layer level security, IPSec, on the other hand, everything you do with the other party is first authenticated (username/password) and then encrypted against reading by parties other than the two communicating parties, encrypted against tampering, and encrypted against replay (so it cannot be recorded and replayed).  In short, everything you do inside that authenticated communication session, is protected and encrypted and the applications you use over that link do not need to establish their own separate encrypted links.  As a direct result the prime application of IPSEC in November 2010 is Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the shape of the  L2TP  VPN protocol.

The other main application of IPSec is for the next generation Internet.  The current generation Internet works on the IPv4 standard which has a limitation of 4.3 billion addresses.  With 7.1 billion people on the planet in October 2010, all potential users of ten or more IP addresses (mobile phone, Hi-Fi player, Personal player, house alarm, fridge, PC, laptop, router, etc...), the current IP addressing scheme is limited – current estimates are that it will run out of addresses between 2011 and 2024.  The next generation IP addressing scheme, IPv6, will be able to handle in excess of 1 billion billion billion billion IP addresses and IPSec will be part of that addressing scheme.

With IPSec having been explained above, the purpose of this particular service is to provide IPSec capability on your PC.

Microsoft’s own explanation of this service :  “Provides end-to-end security between clients and servers on TCP/IP networks.  Manages IP security (IPSEC) policy, starts the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and coordinates IPSEC policy settings with the IP security driver.  The service is controlled using the net start or net stop policy agent command.  IPsec operates at the IP layer and is transparent to other operating system services and applications.  It provides packet filtering, and can negotiate security between sending and receiving computers on IP networks.  IPsec can be administratively configured to provide :

  –  Packet filtering – with actions permit, block, or negotiate security

  –  Negotiated trust and secure IP communication – The IKE protocol mutually authenticates the sender and receiver of IP data packets based on policy settings.  Authentication can use the Kerberos authentication protocol, digital certificates, or a shared secret key (password). IKE automatically generates cryptographic keys, and IPsec security associations.

  –  Protect IP packets with IPsec secure formats: provides cryptographic integrity, authenticity, and optionally encryption of IP packets.

  –  Secure end-to-end connections: using IPsec transport mode.

  –  Secure IP tunnels: using IPsec tunnel mode.

IPsec also provides security for L2TP VPN connections.  The IPsec security settings for L2TP are created automatically and require the IPsec service to be running in order to take effect.”.

Recommendation :  
Leave alone.  Even if you do not use VPNs on this PC, the fact is that in 2007 a number of IPv6 applications and networks are starting to appear, and your PC/laptop will then need this service to be running in order to use them.

Lsasss

Lsasss.exe

(???)

You have the   W32.Sasser.E.Worm   virus.

Ltsmmsg

Ltsmmsg.exe

(Lucent Technologies)

Lucent Softmodem Messaging Applet.  We have only ourselves ever found this modem driver in Acer and Sony laptops, and some Fujitsu Siemens and IBM laptop owners have also reported it, but we would not be surprised if it can be found on a many other brands of laptops as well.

Recommendation :
Essential; the modem will not work without it.

Ltsstart

Ltsstart.exe

(Lotus – IBM)

Lotus QuickStart 97.  Having this program running in the background supposedly enables any program in Lotus SmartSuite to start faster.

Recommendation : 
As with Microsoft’s OSA.EXE, this program is a total utter waste of time.  The benefits in today’s world of fast PCs are non-existent.  Delete with  The Ultimate Troubleshooter.

LuCallbackProxy

LuCallbackProxy.exe

(Symantec)

Symantec LiveUpdate CallBack Proxy.  This program is part of Symantec’s LiveUpdate, the program which updates any Symantec product which you have – this particular program, the CallBack Proxy, was first introduced in mid‑2006 with version 3.0 of LiveUpdate.  You can run LiveUpdate manually or, as is most often the case, LiveUpdate will run automatically in the background and update any Symantec software which you have configured for automatic background updating.  Such software may include Norton AntiVirus, Norton Internet Security, PCAnywhere, GoBack, etc...  This particular program, the CallBack Proxy, streams updates from the Symantec servers onto your PC.  With the worldwide increase in Internet threats (Viruses, Trojans, Spyware, Adware, Phishing, Hackers), the regular updates for your Symantec security software are becoming bulkier.  To combat this increase in the size of the updates that LiveUpdate has to download every time it updates a PC, Symantec have designed the CallBack Proxy module in such a way that if there are many updates to download, LiveUpdate will spawn more than one instance of this program, each simultaneously taking care of downloading a particular update, thus resulting in a faster overall download of the required updates.  Do not, therefore, be alarmed if you happen to see more than one instance of this program on the  Tasks  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter. For those who are familiar with the concept of Download Managers, the LiveUpdate CallBack Proxy is a similar concept.

Recommendation :
Absolutely essential for the protection of your PC with up-to-date threats database updates and program updates – Leave alone.

The above notwithstanding, on some PCs the user may witness this task staying in the Task List for most of the duration of a Windows session instead of disappearing at the end of the LiveUpdate process.  When that happens it may be the case that your PC has a corrupted installation of the LiveUpdate program.  If so, you can often correct the problem by simply downloading and installing the latest version of Symantec’s LiveUpdate.  You will find the latest version of Symantec’s LiveUpdate on the  ANTIVIRUS UPDATES  page of our website.

Lvcoms

Lvcoms.exe

(Logitech)

Driver for Logitech’s QuickCam Home cameras.  It allows the camera to be accessed by NetMeeting, Windows Movie Maker, and the QuickCam software.

Recommendation : 
Leave alone if you use a Logitech QuickCam camera.

Lxamsp32

Lxamsp32.exe

(Lexmark)

Bi-Directional Port Monitor task installed as a startup item by the drivers for some Lexmark USB all‑in‑one multifunction printers  (printer/scanner/copier).  According to Lexmark this task is only needed if you are using your all-in-one Lexmark printer over a network, in which case it in theory needs to be running on both the PC that is directly attached to the printer, and on all the other PCs on the network which want to print to the printer through the network.

Recommendation :
In principle, if we go by Lexmark’s description of LXAMSP32, you should be able to disable this task on the  Startups  tab of The Ultimate Troubleshooter  if you are not on a network or if you are on a network but you are not sharing this printer with other users on the network.  In practice we have found this to be true in many cases, but there have also been other cases where we either could not get the printer to work if this task was disabled, or we would run into other problems.  Our advice, therefore, is that unless you are an advanced user, leave this task alone if you are not experiencing problems with your all‑in‑one printer or with your PC.  That said, this task has a history of nightmarish problems, so bad in some cases that it has resulted in end-users exchanging their Lexmark printer for another brand of printer !   The problems include :  Illegal operations on shutdown, errors and page faults when scanning, “port‑in‑use” errors when attempting to scan, incorrect boot‑up messages about needing to re‑install the drivers, runaway consumption of memory and resources resulting in an excruciatingly slow PC, and, to top it all, even inability to print to the printer !   Lastly, at the time of writing, 25‑Mar‑2005, one of the most frustrating issues about this task is that when you encounter problems with it, the error messages that are displayed refer to its previous name,  SHPC32.EXE,  rather than its current name,  LXAMSP32.EXE,  and you end up spending endless amount of time looking for the wrong program file !!   If you experience any of the above problems, and you need this task because your printer is networked or because your printer won’t work without it, then check our  Drivers  page to see if Lexmark have more recent drivers for your printer – if it does, fully uninstall the current drivers, reboot, unplug your all‑in‑one printer, install the newer drivers and only plug your printer back into the PC when you are actually prompted to do so.  Good Luck !  
Note :  If you no longer have a Lexmark printer, make absolutely certain that you neutralise this file as, from our experience, you will otherwise end up with a PC which exhibits a number of frustrating problems, particularly if you have USB devices.  To neutralise it, right-click on it on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter   and choose  “Delete from the hard disk the file that this Startup points to”,  then right-click on it again and this time choose  “Delete this Startup entry”.  Click the big green  APPLY  button to make your changes stick.

Lxbfbmgr

Lxbfbmgr.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark X6100 Button Manager, also called  “Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program”.  System Tray icon for the Lexmark X6100 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  Through that icon you can access from your PC all the functions available on the control pad of your Lexmark X6100 :  scan, scan to e‑mail, scan and fax, scan to OCR, copy, scanning resolution settings. 

Recommendation :  
Down to end-user preference.  This program is not strictly necessary for the proper operation of your Lexmark X6100 as you can use most of the above features via the printer’s control panel.  However you need this System Tray program to scan to e-mail, fax, or OCR, and to change the machine’s defaults, such as the default scanning resolution, the email address to scan and e-mail to, etc…  Should you decide to disable this task on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter, you can start it at any time via  “Start \ Programs \ Lexmark X6100 \ Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program”.

Lxbfbmon

Lxbfbmon.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark X6100 Button Monitor.  Background task installed by the drivers for the Lexmark X6100 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  This background task monitors the X6100 for activity and interacts with  LXBFBMGR  above for operations involving the PC (e.g. scan to e-mail).  Also, for large copy jobs it relays the current copy count back to  LXBFBMGR  so you can view it on your PC.

Recommendation :  
In the main this task is necessary, so leave it alone.

Lxbkbmgr

Lxbkbmgr.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark X1100 Button Manager, also called  “Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program”.  System Tray icon for the Lexmark X1100 series multifunction printer/scanner/copier (X1100, X1150).  Through that icon you can access from your PC all the functions available on the control pad of your Lexmark X1100/X1150 :  scan, scan to e‑mail, scan and fax, scan to OCR, copy, scanning resolution settings. 

Recommendation :  
Down to end-user preference.  This program is not strictly necessary for the proper operation of your Lexmark X1100/X1150 as you can use most of the above features via the printer’s control panel.  However you need this System Tray program to scan to e-mail, fax, or OCR, and to change the machine’s defaults, such as the default scanning resolution, the email address to scan and e-mail to, etc…  Note that this task has been known to interfere with the ability of a PC or laptop to go into Standby Mode – if you experience this problem, try downloading and installing the latest drivers for your printer.  Should you decide to disable this task on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter, you can start it at any time via  “Start \ Programs \ Lexmark X1100 \ Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program”.

Lxbkbmon

Lxbkbmon.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark X1100/X1150 Button Monitor.  Background task installed by the drivers for the Lexmark X1100/X1150 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  This background task monitors the X1100/X1150 for activity and interacts with  LXBKBMGR  above for operations involving the PC (e.g. scan to e-mail).  Also, for large copy jobs it relays the current copy count back to  LXBKBMGR  so you can view it on your PC.

Recommendation :  
In the main this task is necessary, so leave it alone.

Lxbrbmgr

Lxbrbmgr.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark X3100 Button Manager, also called  “Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program”.  System Tray icon for the Lexmark X3100 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  Through that icon you can access from your PC all the functions available on the control pad of your Lexmark X3100 :  scan, scan to e‑mail, scan and fax, scan to OCR, copy, scanning resolution settings. 

Recommendation :  
Down to end-user preference.  This program is not strictly necessary for the proper operation of your Lexmark X3100 as you can use most of the above features via the printer’s control panel.  However you need this System Tray program to scan to e-mail, fax, or OCR, and to change the machine’s defaults, such as the default scanning resolution, the email address to scan and e-mail to, etc…  Should you decide to disable this task on the  Startups  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter, you can start it at any time via  “Start \ Programs \ Lexmark X3100 \ Lexmark Scan & Copy Control Program”.

Lxbrbmon

Lxbrbmon.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark X3100 Button Monitor.  Background task installed by the drivers for the Lexmark X3100 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  This background task monitors the X3100 for activity and interacts with  LXBRBMGR  above for operations involving the PC (e.g. scan to e-mail).  Also, for large copy jobs it relays the current copy count back to  LXBRBMGR  so you can view it on your PC.

Recommendation :  
In the main this task is necessary, so leave it alone.

LXCQserv

LXCQCustomerConnect

LXCQserv.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark Connect Service.  This background service which started appearing in the second half of 2007, is a printer usage statistics gathering service installed by the drivers of some Lexmark printers.

Lexmark’s description of this service at the time of writing, 29-Sep-2007 :  “Lexmark Connect is a small and secure desktop application that you can download onto your computer in just a couple of minutes. It is a one-time download, and after that, the software will periodically send a file containing an overview of your general printer usage from your computer to Lexmark. Lexmark Connect software will not display advertising or collect information on Websites you visit, or specific types of pages you print. Other than the special icon that will always appear in your task tray on your screen, you'll hardly notice Lexmark Connect once it's installed on your computer – it is a very small, unobtrusive piece of software. .......... The printer information Lexmark will receive will indicate things like whether you typically print letter size pages or A4, or if you are using a photo cartridge or a regular black cartridge in your Lexmark printer. The file does not contain any personal data, nor does it contain information about the content of your print jobs, or anything else you are doing on your computer outside of printing. ......... The Lexmark Connect software does not collect your personal information, so asking for your name and e-mail address on the survey and registration pages is the only way we know which customers are participating. And if you opt-in to receive e-mail communications from Lexmark, it provides us with a way to reach you when special offers and other important opportunities come up that you might like to know about. Lexmark is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. We will use this personal information only as described in this paragraph, unless you provide your permission for other uses. .......  How often will Lexmark Connect send my printer information to Lexmark?  There is not a fixed schedule, but approximately every 30 days your printer information will be sent to Lexmark. When your printer information is ready to be sent, a window will appear asking you if you would like to send the data. If you do not want to be notified each time Lexmark would like to retrieve your printer information, then check the box that appears during the install process that says "Automatically send my printer information to Lexmark."

Recommendation :
Do you want your PC to waste its resources sending statistical information about your user of your Lexmark printer ?   Do you want to receive advertising information from Lexmark ?

Unlikely.  You can either disable this task safely by settings its  Startup Mode  do  Disabled  on the  Services  tab of  The Ultimate Troubleshooter, or you can decide to uninstall  Lexmark Connect  altogether – to do that, choose the  Tools \ Add/Remove Programs  menu option in TUT and uninstall  Lexmark Connect.

LxctPSWX

LxctPSWX.EXE

(Lexmark)

Lexmark 5400 Series Printer Status Window.  Program which is part of the drivers for your Lexmark 5400 Series printer and which starts in the background the first time that you print to the printer after Windows boot-up.  When you print this program pops up a status window which informs you of the progress (or not) of your print job.  Once the job has printed, the window disappears and this program continues to run silently in the background till the next print job.

Recommendation :
An essential part of your printer’s printer drivers – Leave alone.

If you have problem with this task then go to our Drivers page to download the latest drivers for your Lexmark printer.

This task normally uses 1Mb to 10Mb of memory.

LXCVtime.dll

LXCVtime.dll

(Lexmark)

Lexmark Printer Service Delay  task for the Lexmark 350 Series multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  The sole purpose of this startup task is to either delay the start of the Lexmark 350 Communications service until such time that Windows has completely booted up, or to start it again if it failed to start during the boot-up process.  This gets round the sort of timing problems where the Lexmark Communications service may be trying to communicate with your Lexmark printer but Windows is so busy still booting up that, through not getting enough CPU time from Windows, the service thinks that the delay in getting a response from the printer means that the printer is not connected or faulty.  Lexmark have got round such potential timing problems by having this particular startup task  “manually”  start, or restart, the Communications service after a specific delay which allows Windows to complete its boot-up so that it gives the Lexmark Communications service its undivided attention when it eventually gets “told” to start (or attempt a restart)

Recommendation :
Leave alone.

Lxdbcoms

Lxdb_device

Lxdbcoms.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark 840 Communications  service.  Multi‑purpose service installed on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista by the drivers for the Lexmark 840 multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  This background task monitors the 840 for activity and interacts with the Lexmark System Tray icon or Lexmark end‑user programs involving the PC (e.g. scan to e-mail).  Also, for large copy jobs it relays the current copy count back to the System Tray icon so you can view it on your PC.  Finally, this service is also used when printing to the printer.

Recommendation :
This is an essential service – Leave alone therefore.

LXDCtime.dll

LXDCCATS

LXDCtime.dll

(Lexmark)

Lexmark Printer Service Delay  task for the Lexmark 1300 Series multifunction printer/scanner/copier.  The sole purpose of this startup task is to either delay the start of the Lexmark 1300 Communications service until such time that Windows has completely booted up, or to start it again if it failed to start during the boot-up process.  This gets round the sort of timing problems where the Lexmark Communications service may be trying to communicate with your Lexmark printer but Windows is so busy still booting up that, through not getting enough CPU time from Windows, the service thinks that the delay in getting a response from the printer means that the printer is not connected or faulty.  Lexmark have got round such potential timing problems by having this particular startup task  “manually”  start, or restart, the Communications service after a specific delay which allows Windows to complete its boot-up so that it gives the Lexmark Communications service its undivided attention when it eventually gets “told” to start (or attempt a restart)

Recommendation :
Leave alone.

Lxdncoms

Lxdn_device

Lxdncoms.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark 2600 Series Communications  service.  Multi‑purpose service installed on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista by the drivers for the Lexmark 2600 Series printers.  This background task monitors the 2600 for activity and interacts with the Lexmark System Tray icon or Lexmark end‑user programs involving the PC.  Finally, this service is also used when printing to the printer.

Recommendation :
This is an essential service – Leave alone therefore.  Note that the  Startup Mode  of this service is  Automatic  by default.

Lxdvmon

Lxdvmon.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark 5400 Series Device Monitor.  System Tray icon for the Lexmark 5400 Series printers.  Through that icon you can access from your PC all the functions available on the control pad of your Lexmark 5400 series printer (when available).  You can also view the status of ink cartridges, change some defaults, configure the wireless capabilities of the printer, etc...

Recommendation :
Down to end-user preference.  This program is not strictly necessary for the proper operation of your Lexmark 5400 as you can use most of the above features via the printer’s control panel.  However, this program can prove useful when configuring/troubleshooting the wireless features of the printer.  Should you decide to disable this task on the  Startups  tab, you can start it at any time via  “Start \ Programs \ Lexmark 5400”.

Lxdxpswx

Lxdxpswx.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark Printer Status Window Interface.  Background task responsible for the Print Job Progress & Status Window which comes up when you print to your Lexmark printer.

Recommendation :
This is a core component of the drivers for your Lexmark printer – Leave alone therefore.

This task can often appear twice on the  The Ultimate Troubleshooter  and usually uses 3Mb of memory for each instance.

Lxebcoms

Lxebcoms.exe

(Lexmark)

Lexmark Pro200-S500 Series Communications  service.  Multi‑purpose service installed on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7 by the drivers for the Lexmark Pro200-S500 Series printers.  This background task monitors the Pro200-S500 for activity and interacts with the Lexmark System Tray icon or Lexmark end‑user programs involving the PC.  Finally, this service is also used when printing to the printer.

Recommendation :
This is an essential service – Leave alone therefore.  Note that the  Startup Mode  of this service is  Automatic  by default.

All of the tasks below, and many more, although not detailed on this page, are explained in full in The Ultimate Troubleshooter.

The Ultimate Troubleshooter (TUT), has the full database in a remarkably easy and pleasing interface which makes the process of fine tuning your PC, or troubleshooting your computer's problems, a snip.  Get it here.

Lanmanserver Service,  LanManWorkstation Service,  LanNSvc.exe,  Larissa_Anti_Virus.exe,  LaunchApplication.exeLaunch Application 2.exeLAUNCH~1.exeTRAYAP~1.EXE,  LBTServ.exe,  LBTWiz.exe,  LCDCountdown.exe,  LCDMedia.exe,  LCDMon.exe,  LCDPOP3.exe,  LClock.exe,  LCU.exe,  Ldapsync.exe,  Lemonyt.exe,  LetMeType.exe,  Letum.exe,  LEX125SU.exe,  Lexplore.exe,  Lf66prc.exe,  LGDCore.exe,  LGuarg.exe.vbs,  License Manager ESD.exe,  License Manager SON.exe,  Lien Van de Kelder.exe,  Lien Vande Kelder.exe,  LienVdK.exe,  LifeExp.exe,  LightScribeControlPanel.exe,  LimeWire.exe,  LinkScannerMonitor.exe,  LinksysAdvisor.exe,  LinksysAgent.exe,  LinksysUpdater.exe,  LiveJournalU.exe,  LiveSrv.exe,  LiveSystem.exe,  LiveUpdate.exe,  LiveUpdateSD.exe,  Llssrv.exe,  LMabcoms.exe,  LManager.exe,  LMovie.exe,  LMWorker.exe,  LMUtilps32.exe,  Load32.exe,  Loadwzco.exe,  Locate32.exe,  LocationFinder.exe,  Lockbar.exe,  Lockbr.exe,  LockServ.exe,  Lockx.exe,  LogitechDesktopMessenger.exe,  LogiTray.exe,  LogMeIn.exe,  LogMeInSystray.exe,  Logon.exe,  Logon.scr,  LogonUI.exe,  Lover.vbe,  Lpfw.exe,  LPL1.exe,  LPMGR.exe,  Lrbz32.exe,  Lsassa.exe,  Lsassx.exe,  Lsburnwatcher.exe,  LServer.exe,  LServer.exe,  Lsess.exe,  Lsm.exe,  LSMAS.exe,  LSSrvc.exe,  Lsvchost.exe,  LTMOH.exe,  Ltmsg.exe,  LUAll.exe,  Lucoms~2.exe,  LuComServer_2_6.exe,  LuComServer_3_0.exe,  LUCOMSERVER_3_2.exe, Lucser64.exe,  LVComSer.exe,  LvcomsX.exe,  LVPrcSrv.exe,  LVSrvLauncher,  LWWLicenseService.exe,  LXAKJSWX.EXE,  Lxbaaiox.exe,  LXBABMGR.exe,  LXBABMON.exe,  Lxbacoms.exe,  LXBALSNT.exe,  Lxbbjswx.exe,  Lxbbpswx.exe,  Lxbccoms.exe,  Lxbfcoms.exe,  Lxbkaiox.exe,  Lxbkcoms.exe,  LXBKPSWX.EXE,  Lxbl_device,  LXBLCOMS.exe,  Lxbmbmgr.exe,  Lxbmbmon.exe,  Lxbmcoms.exe,  Lxbmmon.exe,  Lxbrbmon.exe,  Lxbrcmon.exe,  LXBRKsk.exe,  Lxbscoms.exe,  Rundll32.exe LXBSTime.dll,  Lxbtcoms.exe,  Lxbtbmgr.exe,  Lxbtbmon.exe,  Lxbtmon.exe,  Rundll32.exe LXBTTime.dll,  Lxbucoms.exe,  Lxbumon.exe,  Rundll32.exe LXBUTime.dll,  Lxbvbmgr.exe,  Lxbvbmon.exe,  Lxbxcoms.exe,  Lxbxmon.exe,  Lxbymon.exe,  Rundll32.exe,  LXBXTime.dll,  Lxbycoms.exe,  Rundll32.exe LXBYTime.dll,  Lxcccoms.exe,  Lxccmon.exe,  RUNDLL32.EXE Lxcctime.dll,  Lxcdcoms.exe,  Lxcdmon.exe,  LXCDtime.dll,  Lxcecoms.exe,  Lxcemon.exe,  RUNDLL32.exe Lxcetime.dll,  LXDKamon.exe,  LXDKcoms.exe,  LXDKmon.exe,  LXDKserv.exe,  Lxcfcoms.exe,  RUNDLL32   LXCFTIME.DLL,  Rundll32.exe Lxcgtime.dll,  Lxcgcoms.exe,  Lxcgmon.exe,  Lxcicoms.exe,  Lxcimon.exe,  LXCISERV.exe,  RUNDLL32.exe LXCItime.dll,  Lxcjcoms.exe,  Lxcjmon.exe,  LXCJtime.dll,  ELService.exe,  Lxcq_Device,  LXCQCATS,  Lxcqcoms.exe,  Lxcqmon.exe,  Lxcqtime.dll,  Lxcrcoms.exe,  Lxcrmon.exe,  LXCRtime.dll,  Lxct_Device,  LXCTCATS,  Lxctcoms.exe,  Lxctmon.exe,  LxctTime.dll,  LXCVcoms.exe,  Lxcycoms.exe,  Lxcymon.exe,  LxcyTime.dll,  Lxczbmgr.exe,  Lxczbmon.exe,  Lxczcoms.exe,  Lxdacoms.exe,  Lxdajswx.exe,  Lxdapswx.exe,  LXDBTime.dll,  Lxdc_device,  Lxdcamon.exe,  Lxdccoms.exe,  Lxdcserv.exe,  Lxddamon.exe,  lxddCATSCustConnectService,  Lxddcoms.exe,  Lxddmon.exe,  Lxddserv.exe,  LxddTime.dll,  LXDEAMON.exe,  LXDECOMS.exe,  LXDEMON.exe,  LXDESERV.exe,  Lxdfamon.exe,  Lxdfcoms.exe,  Lxdfmon.exe,  Lxdfserv.exe,  Lxdiamon.exe,  Lxdicoms.exe,  Lxdimon.exe,  Lxdipswx.exe,  Lxdiserv.exe,  LXDITime.dll,  Lxdj_device,  Lxdjamon.exe,  Lxdjcoms.exe, Lxdjmon.exe,  Lxdjserv.exe,   LxdjTime.dll,  Lxdlamon.exe,  Lxdlcoms.exe,  Lxdlmon.exe,  Lxdmamon.exe,  Lxdmcoms.exe,  Lxdmmon.exe,  Lxdmserv.exe,  Lxdnamon.exe,  Lxdnmon.exe,  LxdnMsdMon.exe,  Lxdnserv.exe,  Lxdoamon.exe,  Lxdocoms.exe,  Lxdomon.exe,  Lxdoserv.exe,  Lxdpamon.exe,  Lxdpcoms.exe,  Lxdpmon.exe,  Lxdpserv.exe,  Lxdqcoms.exe,  Lxdqmon.exe,  Lxdqserv.exe,  Lxduamon.exe,  Lxducoms.exe,  Lxdumon.exe,  LxduMsdMon.exe,  Lxduserv.exe,  LXDVAMON.exe,  LXDVCOMS.exe,  LXDVSERV.exe,  Lxdwamon.exe,  Lxdwcoms.exe,  Lxdwmon.exe,  LxdwMsdMon.exe,  Lxdwserv.exe,  Lxdxamon.exe,  Lxdxcoms.exe,  Lxdxmon.exe,  LxdxMsdMon.exe,  Lxdxserv.exe,  Lxeacoms.exe,  Lxeamon.exe,  Lxeaserv.exe,  Lxebcoms.exe,  Lxebmon.exe,  Lxebserv.exe,  Lxeccoms.exe,  Lxecmon.exe,  Lxecserv.exe,  Lxedcoms.exe,  Lxedmon.exe,  Lxedserv.exe,  Lxeecoms.exe,  Lxeemon.exe,  Lxeeserv.exe,  Lxefmon.exe,  Lxefserv.exe,  LxrJD31s.exe,  LxrSIIs.exe
 

PRESS & RADIO

September 2009
AskJack Blog,
The Guardian, UK

May 2009
Courier Mail, Brisbane, Australia

September 2008
NetworkWorld.com
——
VNUnet.com
London, UK

February 2008
The Wall Street Journal

September 2007
TechByter Worldwide

June 2007
On Computers
Joy&Bob Schwabach
——
Simplehelp.net
——
Courier Mail, Brisbane

2006
TechNewsWorld.com
——
Developer Shed
——
The Wall Street Journal
——
WTVN Radio
Columbus, Ohio

2005
WorldStart Computer Tips
——
A-Clue.com
——
Corante.com
——
PC Magazine
'Top 100 Classics'
——
Infodad.com

2004
PC Magazine
'Top 100 Classics'
——
The Examiner (Texas)
——
St Petersburgh Times
——
ToledoBlade (Ohio)
——
Office Zealot
— Kevin Respecki
——
Mike McBride Online