T23 - Boot Service TPONSCR.exe

[XonOFF]

My T23 sometimes boots with the TPONSCR.exe service, and sometimes not. It's the HotKey Management Service, from what I find using Google.

Is there a reason it acts this way?

Also, I've search the Registry and the System Configuration Files (SysEdit) and find nothing about TPONSCR.exe. So, how does it load?

My Services List does not contain a Service for TPONSCR.exe, so appears it's just running as a pre-loaded app/program file.

What can you all tell me about this file?

[Majestic]

Have you checked to see what's loading via Startup using the MSCONFIG command from the Start/Run line? I don't have my T23 with me at the moment, but I recall quite a few IBM apps loading in the Startup catagory and I believe TPONSCR.exe was one of them.

[Mike Blake]

Like Majestic said: the items on that Startup tab are loading via the Registry. That's where you should find it.

[XonOFF]

Unlike most, I suppose, at this point, I continue to be a W2K user on my T23. MSCONFIG does not come with W2K. But, turns out, the XP version is compatable as a stand-alone program. (REF: http://www.techadvice.com/win2000/m/msconfig_w2k.htm)

So, I downloaded it and ran it.

It didn't really show me anything I hadn't seen already, but is nice to have.

Still, there's no trace of TPONSCR.exe in any startup situation. Yet, my system only _sometimes_ boots with it running. Most times not.

I guess I need to consider this abnormal and try to find what's calling it, because it does not appear to be a part of the standard startup.

Anyone know if this file is ever the target of a possible virus/trojan of some sort? I haven't been able to find much info on it.

[Majestic]

MSCONFIG is indeed a very handy tool. A few years back in my Win98 days I found it works with that OS as well.

Since you can not find a direct loading of that file I would suspect that TPONSCR is being started by another IBM app that loads startup. I would suggest using MSCONFIG and do a little trial and error disabling the IBM startup apps one at a time till you find the one that is running TPONSCR.

If all else fails I would suggest uninstalling and reinstalling all the IBM apps on your system. Quite possible an installed app is faulty and a fresh install should straighten it out. I doubt your problem is virus related.

[Majestic]

Check to see if you have an app called TPHKMGR loading. That would be the ThinkPad Kot Key Manager app and maybe the one running your TPONSCR.EXE after it loads.

[Majestic]

I had some time to play around with my T23 and XP this evening. In checking Task Manager I found that TPONSCR will only run after there is an adjustment to the volume or screen brightness. If there are no adjustments after boot then TPONSCR will not load. I would suspect XonOff that what you are seeing in Win2k is normal. That when you boot up your screen brightness is being adjusted whether on battery or AC thus causing the TPONSCR.exe to run for the on screen display indicator.

[XonOFF]

Thanks Majestic,

I haven't had time to do the work.
That couldn't have been easy to figure out.
Interesting discovery, though. Thanks again.

btw, in ref to your prior post, the XP version of MSCONFIG will not work on W98, but W98 did come with its' own version. Why W2K didn't ship with one is beyond me.

[rkawakami]

Possibly because 2000 was based on NT...

[Mike Blake]

I was able to duplicate what Majestic said on my T42.

Also, I found the mystery of this can be figured out using the Systems Internals little utility Process Explorer, which displayed the applet in its proper relationship to the other TP files and even showed a description of it.

Here's a link to an older version that runs on NT and 2000, unlike the current version on Microsoft.com:
http://www.sixfiles.com/dbase/files/mar ... -2003.html

[zackovic]

I found this topic when I searched a solution for fixing the crashed of TPONSCR.exe. This process always eventually crashed, often after wake up from standby und my brightness and audio volume were no longer showing the actual values when changing them.

I used the mentioned process explorer and found the service TPHKLOAD "Lenovo Hotkey Client Loader". After restarting this service everything works again as expected. Maybe someone will also find this useful in the future.

[Mike Blake]

I used the mentioned process explorer and found the service TPHKLOAD "Lenovo Hotkey Client Loader". After restarting this service everything works again as expected. Maybe someone will also find this useful in the future.

Great to hear my advice helped someone five years later! Thanks for letting us all know!