If you are receiving “MotiveSB.exe error” (usually occurring at startup), then you are likely using ATT, SBC, or Verizon DSL. The Smartbridge application is part of the DSL bundle that you installed from your ISP (internet service provider).

The Smartbridge application is generally considered to be “bloatware.” Bloatware or software bloat is a term used for outdated, unnecessary, and/or annoying software that comes preinstalled on a bought computer. It may also be a program from a software bundle that tends to interfere with other necessary programs.

What is Smartbridge Supposed to Do?

As I stated before, Smartbridge is a part of your DSL installation bundle. It is a program made by Telus.

It is supposed to be an ISP diagnostic tool, assuring or confirming the connection to your ISP. It prepares connectivity to DSL service (does a diagnostic) so your connection (supposedly) will be smooth.

However, the program is not only considered useless, but quite harmful. It has been reported to actually impede connectivity in certain circumstances.

Fix the Error in a Few Easy Steps

The best to fix the error is to disable the program or delete it all together.

To disable the program, go to Start > Run > type “MSCONFIG” in the Run box > go to “Startup” tab > uncheck MotiveSB > Reboot. This will disable the program and stop it from running at startup.

You can delete the program in one of two ways.

1. Find the folder in your windows folder and delete it. This is not the best way, because it is more likely to leave fragments of files behind.
2. Go to your control panel and find Add/Remove Programs.  The file is generally labeled as “Self Support Tool.” Remove the program and reboot your computer.

Clean Up Your Computer Using a Registry Cleaner and Defragmenting

Over the course of your computer’s lifetime, you may add and delete different types of software. What tends to happen is that random bits of the software are left behind on your hard drive and registry.

The best way to clean up your hard drive and increase your computer’s performance (after deleting any spyware, adware, keyloggers, or any other interfering or malicious programs) is to run a registry cleaner and defrag your computer.

To defrag your computer (if you are using Windows), follow these simple steps:

1. Back up your files
2. Close all programs
3. Make sure your computer won’t lose power during the process
4. Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmentation
5. Leave it alone until it is finished

Use the registry cleaner here to clean up your PC or laptop as well, and you’ll find that your computer will be running smoother and faster than ever.

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Don’t you just hate the fact that Mac users just seem to have it all? They have the coolest brand, the hippest laptops, and the sleekest operating system. If you own an Intel/PC-based laptop that’s running on Windows, you definitely know what I’m talking about.

If those facts (disputable) are not enough to make you sinfully envious, then check out PC Mech’s article regarding the file systems which Mac OS X and Windows use. Although the article is littered with geeky gobbledygook, it simply says that Apple’s operating system is virtually maintenance free compared to Windows XP and Vista in terms of defragmenting.

Despite the seeming lead of Mac over Windows, I still prefer the latter because of its superior compatibility with every program available in the market. Maybe the reason why the occurrence of file fragmentation is low in Mac systems is because there are few programs or files that are compatible with OS X (I sound like Bill Gates sour graping over Steve Jobs’ success ).  Just kidding.

There’s no reason for us PC/Windows users to envy Mac people that much. We have excellent system tools which make our lives a little bit less complicated like the ones that our Mac counterparts have.  Support and compatibility is our advantage.  Even though Windows is unceasingly being attacked by various types of malware, the most widely-used OS is backed and defended by all known antivirus and registry cleaners available. So what’s the worry?

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