Annoying pop ups

[Joe]

I've been reading other posts re: this same issue. The
constant pop ups. I've done everything as far as enabling
the Windows XP built in firewall, and also have disabled
the messenger service and still they keep coming. Even if
my cable modem is turned off I will get a window that
says "The web page you are accessing is unavailable
offline" and asks me if I want to connect through a dial
up that I don't even have. When playing games or doing
other things that doesn't require me to be on the
internet, the window will minimize bringing me to the
desktop just to watch 3 or 4 pop ups appear. I cannot
tell you how many times this happens. Since I've wrote
this message I've already had about 9 or 10 come across.
Any usefull advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
in advance...

Joe

 

[alan]

Joe,
I was having the same problem you are as far as the pop
ups went. However, my problem was finally corrected by
turning off/disabling the messenger and enabling a
firewall. One thing I tried before enabling the fire wall
and stopping the messenger was to download a program
called Spybot S&D.
The computer store/repair shop where I bought my computer
suggested it. They felt part of the problem was from
spyware programs installed on the computer without my
knowledge and they would come on while I was on the web. I
did this and found several programs on my computer which
were then removed by the spybot software.
The software is free, you may make a voluntary
contribution if you wish. There is a very good
explanation of the software, what it does and how it
works. All of that can be read before you download a
thing. Go to www.spybot.com, then look for and click on
the "Looking for SPYBOT S&D, click here". It should be in
the upper right 1/3 of the screen. That will bring you to
the website. Hopefully this will work for you.
For the record...I'm just a home PC user with no
affiliation to any software company. I was very upset
with the whole unwanted message thing...Alan

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Joe,

What you're seeing is the Messenger service built-in to Windows, *not* Windows Messenger
(which are two different things) which spammers are exploiting -- this is not Microsoft, nor
can Microsoft control them anymore then they can control spam to your e-mail inbox.

To get rid of these pop ups, you'll need to disable the "Messenger Service", click Start,
then Run, enter "services.msc"and click OK. Scroll down to "Messenger", select it,
right-click and then choose Properties. Under startup type, choose 'Disabled' and then
choose the 'Stop' button. After the service is stopped, click OK. Nothing in Windows or any
real third-party applications should be effected by this.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[obxfam]

Let me know if you get an answer. We purchased pop up
software and it stopped the ads but now we have these
stupid messages. I have also tried everything. I am ready
to go back to dial up to get rid of them.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi,

What you're seeing is the Messenger service built-in to Windows, *not* Windows Messenger
(which are two different things) which spammers are exploiting -- this is not Microsoft, nor
can Microsoft control them anymore then they can control spam to your e-mail inbox.

To get rid of these pop ups, you'll need to disable the "Messenger Service", click Start,
then Run, enter "services.msc"and click OK. Scroll down to "Messenger", select it,
right-click and then choose Properties. Under startup type, choose 'Disabled' and then
choose the 'Stop' button. After the service is stopped, click OK. Nothing in Windows or any
real third-party applications should be effected by this.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[dawesguy]

I've tried two 3rd party software popup killers and all
that has done is emptied my wallet. I've been told there
is a way to disable Messenger but getting MS to tell me
how is next to impossible!

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Neil,

As long as you've set it to disabled (click Start, then Run, enter "services.msc" and click
OK. Scroll down to "Messenger" to check), it should no longer be popping up (maybe you saw an
Internet Explorer popup from the web?). I have heard stories (although never seen any
evidence) of updates restarting the service, so double-checking that it's off might be a good
idea.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Marlie]

Try going to your settings or tools. Go to options and
look for connection, check to see if you have auto sign-on
checked, if you do, uncheck it. I hope this works.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Neil,

I wonder what re-enabled it.. just disable it again.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Joe]

So far, un-checking the auto sign on has helped. Strange
I was all of a sudden being asked to dial up when I've
never had this come up before and the fact that I have a
cable modem the whole time. It almost seems like there is
some hidden executable file somewhere that triggers pop
ups and other menus from time to time.
Thank you to all those who responded...
Joe