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What are services alsa-utils, powernowd, hotkey-setup really for?

Asked by Roman Polach

There is insufficient info in Service settings dialog and I wasn't successful
when I search for this information elsewhere.

Sound works correctly on my desktop, for what I need enable the alsa-utils service?
What functionality I lose when I disable the powernowd service?
What functionality I lose when I disable the hotkey-setup service?
Do I need to enable hdparm service to get my harddisks run safe and fast?

Thank you very much for the answers.

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Jacob Peddicord
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Best Jacob Peddicord (jpeddicord) said : 		#1

I think alsa-utils as a service manages the volume if you have multiple devices, like a Bluetooth headset. Don't quote me on that though. If you don't need it, it can be left off.

I wouldn't recommend disabling powernowd. It controls your CPU speed and power management. If you shut it off, your PC will most likely run slower and consume more power than if you have it turned on, depending on your processor. There is no harm in leaving it on.

Hotkey-setup is used mostly on laptops with multimedia keys, though it may have it's use on a desktop with them also. It sets up the keys to values usable with applications. This can be disabled, but you might lose some extra keyboard functionality.

hdparam should be left as-is. If it was on when you installed it, leave it; if not, keep it off. It tunes the modes of IDE drives on some systems.

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Roman Polach (rpolach) said : 		#2

Thank you very much for answer.