How to Disable the Machine Debug Manager in Windows XP

When you install Office XP/2K or one of it’s components, such as FrontPage XP/2K, Microsoft Script Editor, a program called (Mdm.exe) Machine Debug Manager, which is used to provide application debugging is also installed.

Once you restart your machine, MDM creates 2 temp files (every time) in your Windows folder.

For example, the file name may be similar to:
“fffeeecf_{44BE8B61-235B-11D2-8E66-D59A4E66D32D}.tmp”

MDM loads itself via the Registry:

View this entry in Msconfig | Startup
Machine Debug Manager c:windowssystemmdm.exe

All Users HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices

Also in Internet Explorer:

Additionally, if the system has Internet Explorer version 5 or later, Mdm.exe can still be configured to start at the startup of WinME/XP or, if the script debugging feature in Internet Explorer is turned on. You can turn off this feature within Internet Explorer.

• On the Tools menu, click Internet Options | Advanced.
• Disabling MDM and Script error pop-ups
• Place a check in Disable script debugging
• Next, uncheck: Display a notification about every script error.
• Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Task Manager.
• Highlight the entry for MDM, click End Task. (see above)
• Once you’ve done that, Start – Search – Files or Folders for mdm.exe, once located right-click and select: Rename and rename it. (example – mdm.old) Do the same for: pdm.dll [Process Debug Manager] (pdm.old) if it exists?

Now it’s time to go play in the Registry:

Open Regedit and scroll down to the following key:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunServices
• Highlight the entry in the left pane, click Registry (up top) select: Export
• Highlight the entry for mdm.exe (right pane) right-click and select: Delete.
• Open the following key and verify these entries are correct:
• HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain
• “Disable Script Debugger”=”yes”
• “Error Dlg Displayed On Every Error”=”no”
• Close Regedit. Next, Start – Run (type) “msconfig” (no quotes)
• Click on the Startup tab and uncheck the entry for mdm.exe, click Apply, reboot.

Note: on restart, don’t forget to delete all the temp files from MDM.

Exceptions

If another application reinstalls Mdm.exe, or if Mdm.exe /Regserver is run on a computer that is running Window ME/XP, Mdm.exe is re-added to the RunServices registry key.

NOTE: Running the Detect and Repair feature within Office XP/2K causes Mdm.exe to be re-registered on the system.

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