TFSWCTRL.EXE causing problems - How do I remove it?

Did the popups stop?

You may have to reinstall Sonic.

The popups may be related to spyware.

Use Adaware and spybot to check for, and remove spyware.

I have Sonic my DVD on my laptop, and no popups.

Also, if you have "sgtray" in msconfig, uncheck it, and apply.

Reboot. See if the problem goes away.

Message Edited by msil217 on 11-05-2004 04:52 PM

Google "stop  tfswctrl .exe"

There are programs that claim to stop it, but not free.

That is all I know to do at this point, except a clean reinstall of Windows, but that would be the last resort.

Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure what I did with Sonic because I just checked msconfig and it's not listed, but tfswctrl is and it's checked (running).

This computer is only 5 weeks old and I was constantly getting bombarded with popups from Dell Support, Creative Sound Blaster and Sonic Update Manager, which, aside from being annoying, gave me error messages too.

I have since removed Dell Support from add/remove, and Creative Sound Blaster is stopped, so I think I disabled that service. I don't know if Creative is connected to Sonic or not. I may have right-clicked Sonic and told it not to run - I really don't remember.

Sonic shows up in my All Programs area but, as I mentioned, anything Sonic has no size listed on the right side in Add/Remove.

I haven't gotten any pop-ups from Sonic and I scanned with Spybot very recently, with no malware reported.

Sincerely, Libra

Thank you. I have only had this computer for about 5 weeks and had to do a repair install which has given me a new set of problems. I am new to XP and I am horrified at the possibility of doing a reinstall of Windows in such a short time. I will have to see what my options are - I'm not happy with this Dell Dimension 8400 at all.

Sincerely, Libra

First, this is NOT spyware, contrary to what someone else implied. I would be careful to identify where the software came from before attempting any uninstall. Check your computer documentation. TFSWCTRL is packet writing software that most likely was pre-installed on your computer, or that you installed with an external DVD/CD combo drive. Deleting it will render the drive unable to read the files it burns. Do you have other packet writing software or other CD burning software, such as Adaptec/Roxio DirectCD, or Nero? If the answer to that is no, don't uninstall it (by any means).

(With that said, if you really want it gone, it looks like it will be uninstalled as part of the Sonic DLA package, but I am not familiar with Sonic software).

I found this description:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE: http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/tfswctrl.exe.html

Process name: Drive Letter Access Component

Product: DirectCD

Company: HP, Veritas, Sonic Solutions

File: tfswctrl.exe

Security Rating: Good / green

Drive letter access to HP's and Veritas' version of DirectCD. Does the same thing as DirectCD. From HP - "This is a needed file as it controles the readability of the Combo drives. Without this file loading the end user will be able to burn CD's but wont be able to read them. The drive itself will be able to read store bought master Cd's without the file but not burnt ones" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you really dislike it, I recommend downloading a trial of Nero or Roxio/DirectCD. I use DirectCD but Nero gets rave reviews. It depends on your needs. Then, once you have a functional alternative that you like, uninstall the Sonic DLA package.

Hope that helps.

Here is one article I found on the subject:

HERE

It seems these con artists want you to buy their product to solve your "problem"

It looks like tfswctrl.exe took over. And yes, removing it would be a mistake, so other than reinstalling Sonic, I would consider a clean install of XP to get rid of the junk.

(((((only after backing up what is not on your reinstall CD's.)

Remember to back up C:\Windows\PC Health (PChealth Folder) (If you want to save user and system guides in help and support)

Back up your music, pics, and documents.))))


The other poster suggested using Roxio or Nero, but it may not get rid of the errors.

But wait for other possible solutions.

Libra1 wrote: I have only had this computer for about 5 weeks and had to do a repair install which has given me a new set of problems. I am new to XP and I am horrified at the possibility of doing a reinstall of Windows in such a short time.

Libra, the real issue -- I think what msil217 is suggesting -- is that you might be trying to treat the symptoms rather than the real problem. I didn't originally see that you were having problems with Windows and had repaired the operating system.

I was suggesting finding replacement software, but a better solution might be to fix Windows. (I don't have all the specifics). I suspect that if this Sonic software was running on a stable installation of Windows you wouldn't be having problems.

If you have only had your computer for five weeks, it is under warrantee, and you should be seeking reparations from Dell. Has it been problematic from the start, or did something happen? If it was a problem from the start, they should be offering to repair or provide a replacement.

I did a clean install of Windows myself, it is a lengthy process, especially the back up. Anything less than a clean install tends to be problematic. I would encourage you not to let them talk you into fixing it yourself, unless the problem is clearly one you created, and then I would recommend taking it to someone locally whom you trust.

I find it interesting that this thread has grown to its present size without any specific description of what "problems" that file is causing. Without so much as an error message to go on, it is not difficult to troubleshoot the problem, it's impossible.

Hi,
Thank you for the warning. I can't say whether I like the Sonic Record Now or not, because I've never used it. I have experienced problems logging off or shutting down with a tfswctrl error. I have found them in the Event Viewer. I have no idea of what it's doing because I have never used it.

I found this at a Task List site:

Background task for Hewlett-Packard’s DLA software (Drive Letter Assignment). HP’s DLA gets installed when you installed the software that comes with their CD/DVD Writers. HP’s DLA is packet writing software which enables you to store data onto CD’s directly from within Windows applications, without using the actual CD Writing software (much like Roxio’s DirectCD.

Recommendation :
Many users have reported shutdown problems caused by TFSWCTRL "not responding". In all cases, since they were never using the DLA software and were instead using the CD Writing software to create their CDs, they simply de-installed HP’s DLA and that solved all their problems with TFSWCTRL.
~~~~~~~
Does anyone know if Sonic Record Now has regular "CD writing software" besides the DLA? I was at the Sonic site but couldn't find anything about this.

Sincerely, Libra

Hi Hal,
I think you're right about the problem. I wanted to make this brief, but it isn't. I'm sorry. This is some of what I have encountered. I got this computer for my daughter and before I put it on the internet on 9/24/04 I installed Script Sentry, BOClean, IESpyAds, SpywareBlaster. I removed Norton AV and installed EZAv (that file was corrupt and I had uninstall it (at first uninstall failed, but I eventually uninstalled it) and got another copy when I went online). In local area connections I unchecked "client for MS" and "file and print sharing". When I configured settings in IE, I got a rundll.exe ERROR - end program - NOT RESPONDING.
I also removed the Sun Java and installed a newer version.

9/25/04 I went to Windows Updates and downloaded 17 updates it had for SP1 and updated all of my security software.

9/26/04 My daughter was watching a video online and clicked on the Creative Volume control. The computer went nuts. Creative popped up, Dell support came on talking and Script Sentry came up error reporter! I've never seen this before and have had Script Sentry on my 98 computer for a few years. This was followed by TFSWCTRL.EXE APPLICATION ERROR and Exception - Unknown software exception (0xc00000fd) occurred in the application located at 0x77f9446d. This occurred when my daughter logged off the computer.

9/27/04 Used Intel's CPUID and then installed SP2. Everything seemed fine.

9/28/04 made a restore point and installed AOL 8. Canceled the install and installed AOL 8plus. Keyboard froze up. I restored my computer to before those installs (unfortunately I was told I didn't have to remove the programs from add/remove, so I didn't - I later found out I should have...they were no longer in add/remove). I then installed AOL 9 and while on AOL got this error - Runtime ERROR file not found or network error. When I exited AOL got "program not responding" and end tasked it. Got help regarding this to use task manager to end task a lot of items. Those problems have not occurred anymore.

I disabled application layer gateway service (which is now on again) and Messenger which is still disabled.

10/1/04 I installed the Dell 910 printer thinking I was done. The printer would not copy or scan in a limited user account and I got an AIO.exe encountered an error and needs to close. I spent days on this problem with tech support (uninstalling and reinstalling at least 10-15 times!) and finally called Dell on 10/5 asking if I could return the computer. I had until October 7th to return it without any fees. I thought I had fixed it so my window of opportunity was gone. (When the user logged out, the problem was back again.)

At some point the print function of the printer wouldn't complete and exit (although the page was printed) and MusicMatch Jukebox had an ERROR and closed. I called Tech support and she fixed MMJB and sent me a new printer (the computer wouldn't recognize the printer). She also had me uncheck everything unrelated to Windows in msconfig-SERVICES. I believe this was a big mistake. I enabled what I though appropriate in services.msc but have not rechecked them in msconfig. (This was done to speed up boot-up - it didn't work)

10/14 my daughter tells me the computer is completely frozen. We had to use the tower button. This has happened a number of times. One time it happened and when I pressed the tower button it wouldn't shut down and the tower kept buzzing a low buz. I called tech support and they had me unplug it. Is this normal? I don't think so.

On 10/20/04 I disabled Remote Desktop and TCP/IP Net Bios Helper in Services (I disabled Net Bios first and then clicked on "stop"). I did not reboot. When my daughter went into her account a program disappeared when she clicked on it and the pc was frozen. We used the tower button and when we turned it back on got "windows can't start - MISSING OR CORRUPT FILE - c\windows\system32\config. I called tech support and we couldn't get into safe mode or anything else. She had me do a "repair install" of Windows. She said this was caused by SP2.

This worked but now Windows Updates doesn't recognize that I need any of the previous SP1 updates, since the repair removed SP2. Some remnants of SP2 remain - the extra IE settings and Security Center is in my control panel. I also have some services running specific to SP2 SDTP and HTTP and ftgmon. I have had to install MS Baseline Analyzer, Belarc and qfecheck to try to determine what I need. I installed 19 from Baseline and a couple from Belarc, but there are still about 5-7 that I should check, but I'm getting weary of this.

When logging off an account I sometimes get the message "program ending - please wait for TSFWCTRL.EXE - followed by "not responding". I have never used Sonic so I don't know why that's running in the first place. I've gotten this for the printer software too when I haven't used the printer, and probably other things.

Sometimes when I go into the control panel in a limited user account, I get explorer.exe had a problem and has to close and the control panel disappears.
This mentions mod name ntdl.dll. Usually items leave the systray when this happens.

I again called Dell customer service after the repair install and was told I could return the computer back for a 15% fee (about $200) and maybe shipping. Do you think I can get them to send me a new computer without a fee? Who would I speak to?
I don't want to do a fresh install of Windows. This has been a nightmare.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely, Libra

With that many problems, I would go for a clean install of Windows.

But if you don't want to do that, you could "try" to get a replacement.

Since you was able to do a repair install, a fresh install is not that much harder.

But it will erase everything, and you will have to reinstall everything. (I have done it dozens of times)

Another suggestion: Goback Deluxe.(Isn't cheap, but worth it) It is from Norton.  After a fresh install, Install Goback. Now install your programs and applications, but don't be in any rush.

 

(GoBack and Norton Ghost has saved me from having to do a reinstall of Windows every 2 weeks, lol, because I like to experiment)

(If anything goes wrong, Goback can restore your computer, it is better than system restore, and it will also "repair" Windows if it becomes unbootable.("repair" meaning "restore")

Make sure your anti-virus and firewall is enabled before getting online. Make sure you update your antivirus, then Windows Updates.

These are just my suggestions. I don't believe it is a hardware problem, although it is possible.

Good luck, and I hope you get the problems solved, Libra1.:smileyhappy:

How did it work out of the box? To be honest, it sounds like many of the problems are self-inflicted. It is very early in the life of the computer to have to do a clean install, but that might be the best solution. Now is actually a good time to do it. It is easiest when you don't have a lot of time invested in the setup. Next time, live with the computer for a minimum of a couple of weeks to get to know it before you start customizing it. Have a means to restore the OS before you start tweaking it. Put the OS on it's own partition, and give it enough room for growth (see below). Install Service Packs and not individual patches when at all possible, they are comprehensive. Never install both (only install patches that weren't included in the last service pack - SP2).

There are a lot of problems, but a number of them could be due to a faulty/cancelled installation of software -- combined with using system restore. System restore is a very questionable feature in my experience. I have disabled it. Fool me once, shame on Microsoft, fool me two or three times, shame on me. If the computer is running poorly, I will do a clean install.

A program like Go Back might be a good choice. I have had good luck with disk imaging software called Drive Image (sim to ghost). You create a snapshot of your computer when everything is working properly, that you can easily restore at any time. It helps to have Windows on it's own partition, you have much less "disk" to image. If your system consists of one volume, your image file will be huge and you will waste media. Personally I like dividing up the hard drive, it makes My Computer a MUCH more useful navigation tool. You just have to back up email, favorites etc., that are on C:\. I installed XP four times before I decided I had it the way I wanted. Once you have done it, it is easy to do it again.

As for convincing Dell to take it back at no charge, I am dubious, but that does not mean you shouldn't try. You have nothing to lose. Before returning it, look into reputable local computer technicians.

---

One more thing, I believe that DELL puts restore information for the original configuration right on the drive, usually before the primary partition. (They did on mine). If so, you can restore the partition from that. I'm not sure how, but someone here does...

Edit: Yes it does, see this link.

Quote: "That space contains the data used by the ZZTOP utility to restore your HD to the factory-installed image. If you're comfortable doing an FDISK and a clean install of the OS, or if you've done that already, then that data is useless and you can reclaim the space."

I.e., don't spend money to have Dell run that utility.

Message Edited by hal4000 on 11-07-2004 02:04 PM

Thank you Msil and Hal for your advice. With all I've been through with this computer, the last thing I want to do is start over again (but it may correct the problems). The computer seemed to be okay out of the box, but all I did was copy files to it from disk and install various programs. I didn't want to put it on the internet without an anti-virus, anti-trojan and firewall (SpywareBlaster and IE SpyAds were pretty important too). I didn't have much time from the ship date to 21 days to see if things were okay and I wasted a lot of time with the printer.

Yesterday I looked at the bios updates for the Dimension 8400 - it showed an update from AIO 1 to AIO 2 dated September 27! I took the computer out of the box on September 24. Maybe that had to do with SP2 possibly causing the missing file error that windows wouldn't start. But I did run Intel's CPUID and that was good. The tech that did the repair install told me NOT to install SP2.

All my daughter wanted was her own computer where she could have AOL 9 (I won't put that version on my 98 computer), and a scanner. I got the printer problem fixed by going into safemode and giving rights to users there. It's too bad Dell techs were clueless about this and I wasted over 10 days with it.

I'm concerned with the security of the computer. If Windows Updates continues to not recognize what updates I need, I will probably have no choice but to reinstall. I'm waiting for the November updates to see. One good thing, Updates now recognizes that I need SP2 - it didn't before.

I'm not capable of making partitions. I do have Ghost 2002 for my 98 computer. It wouldn't recognize my ms-dos file and I needed help making the disk for Windows 98.

I haven't tried the burner in the 8400 and have no idea how it works. I would have to use it to back things up if I do have to reinstall or use the image partition. At some point I will attempt to use Ghost (I was told to use the 98 disk). I never dreamed I would experience all of these problems. At least not this soon.

I'm totally new to XP and still haven't figured out how to get any information on a file when I click "properties". I get "sharing" and "customize" :(

Thank you again.

Sincerely, Libra

Message Edited by Libra1 on 11-08-2004 12:46 AM