This might be M$ thing and related to WHQL driver checking. Try running "dxdiag" (start menu, run) and check if you have "Check for WHQL digital signatures" checked... it's on the first "system" page leaf on the lower lef corner - if you have turned on, it might check the signature when you start a 3D program. Bloody annoying... just guess how many "spyware" comments we got when we released 3DMark03 and ppl saw that their systems accessed internet when you started 3DMark :)