I have a 4550Z with a multi-media keyboard.
I did a clean install of win98 on C drive and then
installed sound/video/modem drivers and then
also installed the keyboard software so I could
use the sound/mute/internet/search buttons.

I run a number of firewalls including ZoneAlarm
and not once has the mmkeybd.exe been seen
trying to connect to the net. Not to doubt your
own experience, but it hasn't been mine. The
problem, if one exists, is with one of the other
pre-installed programs.

Jono wrote in message ...
>nope, that's something else. zone alarm states the program name
>"mmkeybd.exe" is attempting to access the internet.  backweb is a separate
>program, and should be the only program accessing the internet for updates
>anyway. the key board program tried to access the intenet after i left it
>alone for a bit, then started typing.
>
>Jono
>
>
>"darkrats" <[log in to unmask]> wrote in message
>news:Gat86.206$sF2.93@shaw-ty1...
>> It's not the Keyboard Manager that is connecting to the net. It's
>> HP programs like BackWeb that periodically look for updates etc.
>>
>> Bill Black wrote in message ...
>> >Why not just turn off the Keyboard Manager - or USBMMKBD for a USB
>> keyboard -
>> >in the Microsoft Configuration Utility?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>