Computer Question...what the hell is this?

[sheath]

Hey, Literotica Computer Dudes...

I am getting a message I really cannot figure out. Occasionally, when I am on the internet, I am getting an error message of:

"3cmlink has performed an illegal operation and will shut down"

Okay. So...this 3cmlink thing starts up when I start my computer, and when I go to the list of running programs (ctrl/alt/del) and shut it down manually, it ALWAYS says, "This program is not responding..."

So...what the hell IS this thing? And do I really need it?

For what it is worth, I run Windows 98 and Internet Explorer 6.

***

And as a side note...the computer help from this site alone has REALLY made a difference for me...I can now figure out most problems on my own, which is a godsend. I'm sure many others have been helped this much as well. Thanks, all of you.

S.

 

[sheath]

Oh...the reason this thing pisses me off so much...

When that "illegal operation" message pops up, my computer freezes and I have to reboot.

S.

 

[JoseIsWild]

I am guessing that 3cmlink is short for 3Com link which would most likely be an add-on driver for your network card. This should be optional since Windows recognizes and configures most network cards on its own. You can look for it in one of the startup folders and take it out; don't delete it in case it doesn't work without it. Just move it out of the startup group and see if it works any better.

It sounds like you're running Windows 98 (or 95). This file may be loading from a registry key. If you know anything about the registry, its located would be located in one of the "Run" keys for Microsoft Windows. If you don't know anything about the registry, don't fool with it.

 

[fgarvb1]

Here's some infro.

http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/browse.php?l=0

 

[heckle]

Are you using a modem (specifically a WinModem) to conenct to the internet? That error comes up with winmodems. The 3cmlink process it related to USR modems. If you have a winmodem, try reinstalling the drivers for it.

 

[Weird Harold]

I am guessing that 3cmlink is short for 3Com link which would most likely be an add-on driver for your network card.

Or it could be a modem utility or an add-on PCI serial port card. 3COM/USR makes lot of communications devices that might be in the computer.

I doubt that it's something that is ncessary for normal operations, since manually shutting it down dosn't seem to cause any obvious problems. It might prevent an add-in PCI card from being recognised, but it doesn't appear to be a card that gets much use if that's the case.

I'd track down where it's loading from -- probably from the registry -- and disable it.

You can disable a registry component by changing just the drive letter in the run command without deleting the registry key completely. That way, changing the drive letter back tothe correct drive will re-enable it if it turns out you really need it.

Finding the finding the folder that file loads from might tell you what component or program it's part of.

 

[sheath]

Thank you, for all the advice!

It sounds a little complicated, so I'm going to try out a few of your suggestions tonight and see what happens. If you don't see me online for a week, you know I seriously fucked something up!

Thanks again...and I will let you know what happens.

S.

 

[ReadyOne]

Here's a nice tool for controling what starts and doesn't start. Note it doesn't look at Win.ini.

Startup Control Panel

You can alsto run the program "MSCONFIG" (Start button, then click run). The only reason I don't prefer MSCONFIG is that any change you make using it throws your machine in to a "debug" mode.