3cmlnkw is to do with your modem. Haven't found much on that except to untick it off your startup list.

at the risk of sounding really dumb...what do you mean untick off of startup?

i had to install a modem a yr or so ago, so i do know what a modem is. 3 stars for me. lol

Got to be quick - have to go back to work

Start Menu
Run
Type msconfig and click OK - if that doesn't work, type msconfig32 and click OK
Look for the tab that lists your 'Startup' applications
In the list, look for the 3COM modem application and click the tick-box so that it is no longer ticked.
Click OK to save and close out

Reboot (you'll still get the error this time)

When Windows restarts, let it load the desktop etc, then go to Start > Shutdown.
Has the error gone?

3cmlnkw 3CMLnkW.exe

(US Robotics / now 3Com) Essential background task for some US Robotics 56K WinModem software-based modems.

Recommendation :
Leave alone.

Unless you haven't got one - then uninstall it

soooooo...what are you saying?
do it? / do it not?

and would belarc advisor be able to tell what the new modem installed is? or would it give details of the modem the system was set up for in the beginning?

Yes, Belarc Advisor should tell you what your modem is. You could also find out from the D-A-L.com Online Hardware Scan. There's a link to it at the bottom of my signature.

-------------------------------------------------------
Ok this is what hardware scan found.
Also, my fax modem will not work, nor scanner, nor cam
what is going on?

OS Information:
PropertyValue
OS Name Microsoft Windows 98|C:\WINDOWS|
Service Pack .
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS


Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 333
Description AMD-K6(tm) 3D processor
Manufacturer AuthenticAMD
Name AMD-K6-2 processor


Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label RAS 1 & 0
Capacity 1048576

Bank Label RAS 1 & 0
Capacity 67108864

Bank Label RAS 5 & 4
Capacity 1048576

Bank Label RAS 5 & 4
Capacity 2097152

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~68 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 96MB

Disk Drives:
PropertyValue
Description GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE47
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model IDE DISK TYPE47
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 8603642880 (~8 GB)
Number of Partitions 1


Installed Printers:
PropertyValue
Name Lexmark 3200 Series ColorFine
Port Name LPT1:
Driver Name Lexmark 3200 Series ColorFine

Name Epson LQ-570+ ESC/P 2
Port Name LPT1:
Driver Name Epson LQ-570+ ESC/P 2

Name RingCentral Fax
Port Name COM2:
Driver Name RingCentral Fax


Motherboard:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer
Model
Name Base Board
Part Number
Product ALADDIN5
Serial Number
Version


BIOS:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Award Software International, Inc.
Name Award
Release Date 19980807******.******+***
Version Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG


Monitor:
PropertyValue
Description Plug and Play Monitor
Name Plug and Play Monitor
Screen Height 600
Screen Width 800


Keyboard:
PropertyValue
Description Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard


Pointing Device:
PropertyValue

Sound Card:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer ESS Technology, Inc.
Description Audio for ES1869 Plug and Play AudioDrive
Device ID ISAPNP\ESS0003_DEV0001\FFFFFFFF


Video Card:
PropertyValue
Adapter Compatibility Intel Corporation
Adapter RAM
Description Intel740-854 Win9x PV2.0b 3.1.1927-980727
Installed Display Drivers gfxdrv.drv
Driver Version 4.0
Driver Date 05/09/1998 5:00:00 PM
Video Mode Description 800 x 600 x 16777216 colors


DirectX Installation:
PropertyValue
Version 6.01.05.0124


Modem:
PropertyValue
Model U.S. Robotics V.92 Fax Win Int
Name Unimodem.vxd

Model U.S. Robotics V.92 Fax Win Int
Name Unimodem.vxd


Network Adapters:
PropertyValue
Description PPP Adapter.

External Ports:
PropertyValue
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator Detected
External Reference Designator

Expansion Slots:
PropertyValue
Slot Designation ISA
Slot Designation ISA
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation AGP
-------------------------------------------------------

OK, here's my very quick (I've got to get back to work) diagnosis of your scan.

Your processor is an AMD K6/2 running at 333MHz.

Seems to be a bit of a conflict going on with your memory (RAM) - the hardware scan can only see about 68Mb, yet Windows thinks there is 96Mb, which is probably correct. This doesn't seem to be because you have shared graphics memory, which often distorts these figures - you've got an Intel 740 graphics card, which should be separate from the motherboard.

You have a modern 56k v92 US Robotics fax modem so don't delete the file that is causing the error yet. The modem was probably fitted after the PC was first built.

You are running RingCentral fax software. Did this come with the modem?

You have two devices configured to use the parallel LPT1 (printer) port. One is an Epson, the other a Lexmark. Is one of those a scanner that is plugged into the PC and the other one a printer that is plugged into the scanner?

yes the modem was installed after i purchased the pc new. it went out and about a yr ago i had to replace it. the ring central fax software was loaded with pc when i purchased it new (with old modem). maybe that is why fax will not work? lol

the lexmark is the correct printer connected to scanner that is connected into the port. scanner does not work though.

the fact that the Epson is showing it is using the same port i cannot explain other than-- i used that printer for business-- and then bought and am now using the lexmark.

the fact that the ram is showing 68 is a good question. this pc was equipped with a 96.

what do i do about all that mess? lol

After some searching on my system, i found these problems listed. I dont know if this will help with the 3cmlnkw error, when i shut down, but could it have something to do with my fax--scanner not working?
also says to update driver. Am i to use the modem cd to install new?



PCI Communication Device
Unknown
This Device Has a Problem: Code=28 (0x1C)
The drivers for this device are not installed correctly. To install the driver
for this device, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\ROOT\UNKNOWN\0000
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: Driver Not Installed

PCI Communication Device
Unknown
This Device Has a Problem: Code=28 (0x1C)
The drivers for this device are not installed correctly. To install the driver
for this device, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\ROOT\UNKNOWN\0001
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: Driver Not Installed

PCI Communication Device
Unknown
This Device Has a Problem: Code=28 (0x1C)
The drivers for this device are not installed correctly. To install the driver
for this device, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\ROOT\UNKNOWN\0002
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: Driver Not Installed