What is pctspk.exe? Is pctspk.exe spyware or a virus?
How to fix pctspk.exe related problems?
1. Run Security Task Manager to check your pctspk process
2. Run a Windows Repair Tool to fix pctspk.exe related PC problems
3. Run an Antivirus to find persistent malware
Process name: PC Tel driver - PC Tel modem drivers
Product: OnBoard Modem driver
Company: PC Tel
File: pctspk.exe
Security Rating:
This process is part of the drivers of PCTEL (HSP) Modems and simulate the sounds of hardware modems. These modems are often found in notebooks.
Do NOT disable this task if you use the modem!!! It's started via registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PCTVOICE=pctspk.exe
Get more detailed information about pctspk.exe and all other running background processes with Security Task Manager.
Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a "non-Microsoft" .exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection! Check it out!
Click to Run a Free Scan for pctspk.exe related Errors
Users Opinions
Average user rating of pctspk.exe: based on 82 votes. Read also the 74 reviews.
35 users ask for this file. 35 users rated it as not dangerous. 6 users rated it as not so dangerous. 20 users rated it as neutral. 7 users rated it as little bit dangerous. 14 users rated it as dangerous. 8 users didn't rate it ("don't know").
| All comments about pctspk.exe: | |
|---|---|
| there are three various pctspk files in my insipron8500, one having to do with dell drivers, so i think that it's safe zach | |
| At times, this process doubles itself and starts using 100% of my 1.6 gig Pentium. I disabled it in the msconfig.exe Startup Page with no negative effects. Cadlin Scott | |
| I am a dell technician, and the little internal modems often are PCtel modems. I'm checking this page from my mum's inspiron. Tim S | |
| PCTel Internal Modem Elitegroup G732 John Phillips | |
| agree ,related to modem, but not 100% sure if it is safe to remove Zex | |
| In deed, it is used for fax/modem utilities Efraim MARQUEZ-ARREAZA | |
| it is used bye onboard modems with Dell notebooks pctel 2304WT Rob Jansen | |
| It's for an AMR modem,very cheep Telephone modem See also: Link Dave Cotullas | |
| Dell modem, doesnt seem to harm computer Mike | |
| Part of your modem drivers so do not delete... Richard | |
| Modem Driver for various modems. Some people have reported 100% cpu usage, if this is the case, get the latest drivers for your modem. EV | |
| this file destroy my computer ! Gonzalo | |
| Installed with PC Tel 'soft' modems (either in notebook or pci slot of desktops). Not sure about the results of disabling this. Not a security threat but uses around 2.6MB memory in WinXP so the user may try disabling it. Atul | |
| It makes my computer crawl - very high CPU Thomas | |
| PCTel modems are often installed as the default choice in Dell notebooks, this is the driver. If your internet connection does not depend on the internal modem it can be safely stopped, | |
| It is using 99% of my new AMD | |
| also PCtel HSP56k , which is a PCI winmodem not internal, the drivers were automatically installed by windows xp so it should be safe, but it is ok to remove from startup services if you don't want or need the sound or if you don't use the modem francis | |
| It occupies my CPU for 98% for one user en 2% for another user Jaap Schulp | |
| it started after I inserted a HAM/Ambient modem to test herauthon | |
| Sometimes this file utilizes 99% of cpu and my system goes on 100% cpu usage and the system goes dead slow Chris Calys | |
| sometime this file starts using 200% of cpu...so you'll can open task manager and kill the process... Ettore98 | |
| Harmless and apeared after the installation of a 56HP92-PCT. See the following link for various other PC Tel Modem Drivers. See also: Link Locum | |
| It loads automatically (not always) and puts CPU usage at 100%. My P4 chip then over heats and the system can crash. Colin | |
| All i know is mine just starting running this exe and i dont use a regular modem that requires it. Eric | |
| deleted it without any problems. only ate 98% of my CPU. (only remove when you don't use a modem! just read the normal thing and don't mind me, just sharing my experience. Running on a HP Pavillion btw). Jantje Scholten | |
| my computer was running at 100% and everthing was running slow and crashing i ended it process in task maneger and my computer is now fine sloty75 | |
| Its just a HSP/PCtel modem software, I've found it to be on the drivers for my modem, its a CNR connected modem, came with my ECS PM800 Socket 478 motherboard, it simulates modem sound through the PC's desktop speakers, uses around 200-400k memory, completly safe, it can be stopped on my HSP modem witohut any negative effects (Minus the modem sound). Comp01 | |
| I stopped using modem and obtained ADSL. Today the computer (tabletop) slowed down radically. Win XP task manager shows pctspk.exe using between 80 and 100 % of processor capacity. Killing the process did not cause any obvious harm. Kek | |
| As it is written here, it's a modem driver, but why does it use 99% of my CPU? (I've a Dell Latitude Notebook) horeb | |
| dell modem process on my latitude notebook - save bpah | |
| Annoying, not dangerous. It wasn't apparent on my Dell for the first year & a half. Licorne_sh | |
| PC TEL Modem in Dell 610C; its a hangover of the voice modem function on a PCI card; Its a driver for the voice functions for answering machine software. Yup I took it out of the start up HKLM and the modem still works OK. What do you need an answering machine for on a laptop? Yes, it can mess up bad if the Voice call part is enabled- then it will constantly look for a call- taking up cpu cycles. See also: Link RadMan | |
| PC TEL Modem in Dell 610C RadMan | |
| makes cpu usage 100% and pretty sucks. you will need good fun to handle it. jack jack pierre | |
| All I know is that I can't run Word at the same time this file is taking up 99% of my CPU. So I delete whenever it causes me problems, and it seems to always come back. I guess I need to delete it from my Startup, as well. Kathryn | |
| Modem v92 file, does not use many resources. Also creates a taskbar icon which handles modem features antman | |
| well i guess it has to do with the external modem for cable internet JR | |
| When trying to sync offline files in Outlook, this process was using 99%-100% causing the sync to take over an hour. Once I killed the process (via Ctrl+Alt+Del and task manager) the sync only took 2 minutes. Dan the Man. | |
| Also used in Mitac 7521P. With it running, I can hear modem tones thru laptop speakers, without, can barely hear modem dialing. fred | |
| This file was using 99% CPU and slowed my Dell Latitude note book to a crawl. Deleted it from registry with no ill effects and computer returned to the speeds I'm use to. I do not use the modem. Bob | |
| Sometimes a bug causes this process to take over the CPU usage, but just update the modem driver and that's all padaguan | |
| My computer goes really slow when running this file and I don't know what it's fpr. Simon W | |
| When I disabled this file (figuring it was an unneeded startup process) we no longer got "Call Interrupt" notices when we were online! This file apparently pops up a window when someone is calling on the line that is being used by the modem, with a little box that says "Accept Call? Yes/No" VERY HELPFUL! I would not disable this if you use the modem and have call waiting. E-Man | |
| This file is not dangerous and the 100% usage comes from incorect speed setting for the onboard modem. it does not take more than 0% of my cpu because of proper config Neo | |
| It is "PCTell Speaker Phone" and runs as a system service so it can be disabled in the services app in XP Pro Andy | |
| comes with modem drivers, uses 100% cpu, safe to end process in task manager | |
| Found it in my System32 folder I don't have a modem so why is this running? Bob | |
| At my Pc it makes that the use of the CPU goes up to 100% muppet | |
| I don"t know very much about it Nandi | |
| About 1 year ago i did a hard drive image with norton ghost. I restore that image today and my system slowdown because PCTSPK.EXE, but is the same file that was ok all last year! Only reboot my CPU and it is fine now. I guess a bug is inside that file but, at least in my case, it is not so bad. - For all last year i never had virus reports related on this file (norton antivirus) José Arturo García Vázquez | |
| uses 90+% of CPU - Dell latitude blue oblivion | |
| Causes 100% CPU use on a dual CPU server - very annoying XPD - NZ | |
| It consumed 99% of my CPU about every 5 minutes John | |
| It appears after booting up the Dell Latitude notebook and uses most of it's resources. Have to re-boot to release it's grip. Bob Harris | |
| I deleted PCTSPK.exe from my system32 file with no negative effects. It started recently for no apparent reason and it began using 50-98% of my resources. zenphot | |
| Assists the Dell Latitude internal modem with special features. These are normally not used, so it can be disabled safely in MSCONFIG. Of course, if you lose the particular function that this provides, simply leave it running or start it manually before using the modem. I rated this a "2" only because it does use resources upon startup regardless of modem/program use. Sam | |
| Do not delete this file for any reason. I did and was instantly transported to a parallel universe which then exploded, and left me without a universe for about 15 minutes. G | |
| pcspk.exe is part of the Diamond Supra LE-PCT setup. If not installed, you will not be able to use the "voice" features availabe to that modem. It is true that it is a resource hog... but only when dailing. See also: Link Cory | |
| It uses lots of virtual memory (Page File) and can cause your CPU to slow to a halt. I just removed it from a system and it was causing him to need to set an additional 2500mb for the page file. Overloads CPU and unneeded for modem to connect and work properly. Intel Factory Technician | |
| This file is needed for audio function. For example, in my computer it's nedded for printer. Yaeli | |
| When my computer was running IE.6 Peter Guo | |
| Annoying, I recommend disabling it Darren | |
| I renamed the file and within an hour, a second copy appeared. I don't think Dell built in this kind resiliency into their modem drivers. I think it is a parasite of some sort. darth | |
| This file uses up CPU to 100% and grinds processes to a halt. After start-up I pull up Windows task manager and halt this process. Problems go away. Since I do not use dial-up, it may nto be an issue o remove it. I am going to find out more. rickwit | |
| PCTell Speaker Phone driver uses 2.9MB of RAM on my PC Morley | |
| Possibly was installed by a pop up window offering music service of some type, when I dit not accept. Not signed by Microsoft, dated 2001. Henning Nielsen | |
| One day it began using 99% CPU on DELL Precision, guessing it runs at higher priority because my app needing 90% got 1%. End Process resolved issue this time. dwb | |
| Don't know much about this, except that it suddenly appeared, started slowing my computer by using too many resources and isn't needed for anything used by my PC. I also have a DELL Laptop. TroniX | |
| it ran my cpu up 90% slowing me down to a halt...i deleted it with no issues. fallen angel | |
| Unreal Tournament 2004 (UT2K4) game file to allow voice recognition See also: Link sean | |
| 'blocked' microsof updating by using 99%, killed it, updating startede en ended swell thyvon topspot | |
| Dell Dimension 3000, Mem Progs show high usuage of memory Stu_Pitt_Mohron | |
| Using 80-90% CPU on an old Compaq. Renamed file "pctspkOLD", rebooted, CPU usage now normal. Owner recently left dialup for cable, so maybe it was polling nonstop for dialtone, who knows? KDC | |
| this was on my mother's computer just a couple days ago. first it slowed down her desktop n then today it just started dialing her modem every few minutes. i made sure there were no other programs running that would connect to the internet. the random redialing stopped once i ended the process. Someduder | |
Show all 74 comments
More process information
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