Background programs?

[Gary16735]

Running Windows 98SE
These programs are running in the background and I don't know what they are:
Rnaapp
Realplay
Avconsol
Ptsnoop
Systray
Vsstat
Vshwin32
If these are not needed or are virus files, how do I get rid of them? Thanks, Gary

 

[slipe]

Here are a couple of lists and how to remove the unwanted stuff:
http://www.pcforrest.freeserve.co.uk/startups.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm

 

[Gary16735]

Slipe, you did it again. Thanks for the info. Have started using the site and they work. Thanks, Gary

 

[ich]

It looks like slipe's links show you how to keep them from running on startup, but don't identify them so you'll know what you are preventing from activating (Now if I can only find something like MSConfig or Startup Manager for W2k!)

Found a reference to Rnaapp here that describes it as:

RNAAPP (Remote Network Access Application) is a core executable for Microsoft Windows Dial-Up Networking.

Recommendation - leave it alone unless you are having problems that reference it, if that is the case, go to the above link for help.

RealPlay is more of the crap that is installed on your system when you install Real Player - I tell you, I've gotten to the point where I'll go without viewing something at all if I have to have Real Player for it. They've always wedged a lot of crap on your system with the install, but now they default to stealing associations for any media, including audio CD's and CHANGE MY PREFERENCES SO THAT AUTOPLAY IS RE-ENABLED DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAD IT DISABLED!! Personally, give me an option during installation or DON'T DO IT TO MY COMPUTER!! Sorry, I digress. Anyway, it appears to be a Netscape plug-in, although I can't imagine why it has to be loaded on boot instead of activated at need by the browser.

Avconsol, Vshwin32, and Vsstat are all part of McAfee VShield Anti Virus. I found reference to all of them here

Ptsnoop is installed by some modem software to monitor the COM port status, but it doesn't appear to be necessary for proper operation of the modem.

Identifying which (if any) are causing problems is very important while troubleshooting some problems, usually using methods similar to those on the links provided by slipe, and then knowing what they are doing will help identify what to reinstall.
Based on what I dug up on those files, it looks like they are all legit and, unless your having problems, I'd leave them alone.
KT

 

[hewee]

ich,

I did a custom install of Netscaoe and I did not pick Real Player.

 

[Gary16735]

Thanks ich. Between you and slipe, I know what they are and how I can deal with them. Being a beginner, I need to find out these things to keep my investment running the best it can. Thanks, Gary. Thank you also hewee.