"Newer version available" squirrel cage

[Fergie]

I've never used Windows Messenger on this computer and
this error didn't appear until after I loaded a bunch of
hot fixes through automatic update.

Now, every time I log on to the internet, I get a message
pop up that says "Windows Messenger: A newer version is
available. You must install the newer version in order to
continue." The rest is something like "Do you want to do
so now? Yes/No"

If I select "No", sometimes that's all and sometimes I
have to do the same again before it will leave me alone.

If I select "Yes" I get the Windows Messenger login
screen showing an ANCIENT, defunct email account for
onebox.com, which I had years ago and did try to use
Messenger with. Trying to install the update does no
good. It just throws me back into the login screen with
the same "Newer version" message. Round and round. If I
try to log in using my best guess as to what my password
was then, the login username and password window just
goes away, no failed log in or anything. also no success
at logging in.

I don't want Windows Messenger and really don't want
these annoying messeges that I have to answer in order to
continue. This is squirrelly and I want out of the
running wheel.

The computer won't get rid of Messenger either.

Help

Fergie

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Fergie,

Firstly, remove your saved Passport login in Windows XP, so it can't automatically sign you
in to the service (you can readd this back in the future if you like), click the Start
Button, then click the Control Panel. Then, click User Accounts in the Control Panel. Select
your account name, and then on the left side of the screen, under Related Tasks, click
'Manage my Network Passwords'. In the window that opens, click the Passport.Net\* (Passport)
entry and click 'Remove'.

Then, do you have Norton Antivirus 2003 installed? Norton added a new "instant messaging
scanning" feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict with Messenger and cause some
of this behavior. To stop it, open Norton Antivirus (Right-click on the Norton Antivirus icon
in the System Tray/Notification Area (by the clock), choose 'Open Norton Antivirus'), click
Options, then Instant Messenger then uncheck MSN Instant Messenger and click OK.

If the window is still open with the upgrade question, say No, it should now stop trying.

Then open up Windows Messenger (click Start, then click Run, type "msmsgs" and click OK),
choose the Tools menu, then Options, then Preferences tab, uncheck 'Run this Program when
Windows starts' and click OK. Then right-click on its icon in the notification area/system
tray (by the clock) and click Exit. It shouldn't bother you again.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com