Prompt keeps appearing on desktop

[@]

Hi,
Many times went I boot a prompt appears on my desktop asking if I want an
upgraded version of Windows Messenger.
How can I get rid of this?

I've already unchecked WM in add/remove Windows Components.

Running XP PRO

- Dan

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Dan,

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'.

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', 'Allow this program to run in the background' and click OK. If neither of
these options do not appear, then you can ignore this step.

Also, do you have Norton Antivirus installed? Recent versions of Norton Antivirus added a
new "instant messaging scanning" feature, which can conflict with Messenger and cause it to
also keep starting. 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.

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

 

[@]

Thanks Jonathan. I'll see what happens....

- Dan

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Dan,

Let us know =)
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[@]

Well so far the prompt hasn't come back, so I'll
say thank you.

However......I have another issue with pop up SPAM
appearing on the desktop. A friend suggested I download
the Google toolbar to prevent them.

I did, and it is counting the number of blocked ads, however others keep
showing up. What can be done
to get rid of these nasty pests?

- Dan

 

[YYZ]

Well so far the prompt hasn't come back, so I'll
say thank you.

However......I have another issue with pop up SPAM
appearing on the desktop. A friend suggested I download
the Google toolbar to prevent them.

I did, and it is counting the number of blocked ads, however others keep
showing up. What can be done
to get rid of these nasty pests?

- Dan

run mozilla! it's popup suppressor works as advertized; always has done.
< running moz 1.6 on xp pro .. >

 

[@]

Are you suggesting I uninstall Google toolbar and then install mozilla, or
just run mozilla?

- Dan

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Dan,

I think he means just to use Mozilla instead.

The Google Toolbar is helpful (as is the MSN Toolbar), the next version of Internet Explorer
(that will be arriving in Windows XP Service Pack 2) will automatically have a pop-up
blocker.

I'd suggest you run a scan on either Adware or Spybot to detect any applications that might
be bringing up these popups (http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download,
http://spybot.eon.net.au/index.php?lang=en&page=download respectively).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

Are you suggesting I uninstall Google toolbar and then install mozilla, or
just run mozilla?

- Dan

 

[@]

Again, thanks...

- Dan

Hi Dan,

I think he means just to use Mozilla instead.

The Google Toolbar is helpful (as is the MSN Toolbar), the next version of Internet Explorer
(that will be arriving in Windows XP Service Pack 2) will automatically have a pop-up
blocker.

I'd suggest you run a scan on either Adware or Spybot to detect any applications that might
be bringing up these popups (http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download,
http://spybot.eon.net.au/index.php?lang=en&page=download respectively).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Dan,

You're very welcome =)
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com