DCOM error on PC used at home mainly for office work

[John]

I often the following message about DCOM in the Event Log. When it
occurs the whole machine seems to slow right down temporarily.

I run WinXP Pro/SP2 at home with a direct connection to a cable
modem. There are no other PCs.

------------------- ERROR MESSAGE ---------------
Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10005
Date: 19-10-2007
Time: 05:00
User: XXX
Computer: XXX
Description:
DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is
disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. "
attempting to start the service StiSvc with arguments "" in order to
run the server: {A1F4E726-8CF1-11D1-BF92-0060081ED811}
------------------- ERROR MESSAGE ---------------

I don't understand DCOM but I would guess this has something to do
with the XP Service for "DCOM Server Process Launcher".

A1F4E726-8CF1-11D1-BF92-0060081ED811 turns out to have something to
do with WIA Device Manager in the registry and is set to run as
"Interactive User".

However, the word "server" makes me wonder. Why would a normal PC
running mainly home-office tasks need a server of any sort?

How can I check what my DCOM service is doing?
Do I need this service?
How can I get rid of the error messages

 

[Claymore]

I often the following message about DCOM in the Event Log. When it
occurs the whole machine seems to slow right down temporarily.

I run WinXP Pro/SP2 at home with a direct connection to a cable
modem. There are no other PCs.

------------------- ERROR MESSAGE ---------------
Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10005
Date: 19-10-2007
Time: 05:00
User: XXX
Computer: XXX
Description:
DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is
disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. "
attempting to start the service StiSvc with arguments "" in order to
run the server: {A1F4E726-8CF1-11D1-BF92-0060081ED811}
------------------- ERROR MESSAGE ---------------

I don't understand DCOM but I would guess this has something to do
with the XP Service for "DCOM Server Process Launcher".

A1F4E726-8CF1-11D1-BF92-0060081ED811 turns out to have something to
do with WIA Device Manager in the registry and is set to run as
"Interactive User".

However, the word "server" makes me wonder. Why would a normal PC
running mainly home-office tasks need a server of any sort?

How can I check what my DCOM service is doing?
Do I need this service?
How can I get rid of the error messages

First, go to Start => Run and type in "services.msc" {without the
quotes}
Maximize the window
Scroll down to "DCOM Server Process Launcher" and double-click on it.
Set it to Automatic and Start it.

Then do this:

Go to Control Panel => Administrative Tools => Component Services
Click on Component Services => Computers => My Computer.
Click on COM+ Applications and follow any instructions to correct
errors.
(There may be no error instructions)
Click on DCOM Config and do the same.