New computer - 'Messenger' popups

[Croakie]

I just got my computer yesterday and right after start up
and the configuration menus I started to get these popups
saying "you're computer is not safe, go to xxxx.com and
download this program". I wasn't even attached to the
internet at that point and had not added any software so
it seems to be something that's in one of the programs.
Dell say they know what the problem is but can't tell me
how to fix it because it's a microsoft thing. So here I
am. How do I get rid of those stupid popups that are in
my computer? Thanks.

 

[Nicholas]

A New Window Appears When You Visit Some Web Sites
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308446

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330904&sd=tech

Essential Security Tools for Home Office Users
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...l=/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-105.asp

If you wish to solve your pop-up problems once and for
all, consider purchasing and installing a third-party program
designed to do just that:

Norton Internet Security 2003
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

-- Includes Norton AntiVirus 2003
-- Includes Norton Personal Firewall
-- Includes prevention of annoying web pop-ups
-- Includes Parental Controls
-- All in one, easy-to-install package


--
Nicholas

---------------------------------------------------------------------


| I just got my computer yesterday and right after start up
| and the configuration menus I started to get these popups
| saying "you're computer is not safe, go to xxxx.com and
| download this program". I wasn't even attached to the
| internet at that point and had not added any software so
| it seems to be something that's in one of the programs.
| Dell say they know what the problem is but can't tell me
| how to fix it because it's a microsoft thing. So here I
| am. How do I get rid of those stupid popups that are in
| my computer? Thanks.
|

 

[Melvin Ho]

Most prob it's something in your startup items..
Start > run > type in msconfig and enter
Go to Startup tabs, uncheck any unknown entries > apply and close, restart
U might have to try a few time until you get the correct one.

Goodluck!

 

[Unknown]

Call Dell, tell them you want a fix or you are shipping it back. Popups not
even on line? Obviously loaded by them for some advertising of some
software.

 

[T.C.]

Since the "Spyware" was already on the system when it was shipped to you as
"New." Then it would seem to me that the system might not be new. It might
have been returned to Dell from a previous owner who either visited a site
that installed the spyware, or installed a program which included the
spyware. If you paid for a new system, immediately call Dell Customer
Support, and nicely demand what you paid for. If the person you speak with
tries to talk you out of it, then ask to speak with a supervisor. Shipping
used merchandise as "New" got Packard Bell into a class action law suit that
cost the company millions of dollars, and their reputation. If Dell still
refuses to replace your system with a NEW system, nicely tell them you'll
have your credit card company handle it, which should change their mind. If
it doesn't, phone your credit card company and have them take care of it.
PC systems are problematic enough, without you having to take a chance on
what else might go wrong with a used system.

 

[EGMcCann]

Also, Dell is only half wrong - by virtue of having Windows, IE and
Media Player installed you automatically have spyware even if you've
never gotten online.

Steve

Perhaps (and you can disable "reporting" easily in both Windows and Media
Player - I don't use IE anyway, so...) However, they DON'T pop up messages
saying "Go to site XXX...."

So, as others have mentioned, if she's just pulled it out of the box, set it
up, and not gone online, either it's some BS Dell loaded, or they shipped
her a used machine.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Perhaps (and you can disable "reporting" easily in both Windows and Media
Player - I don't use IE anyway, so...) However, they DON'T pop up messages
saying "Go to site XXX...."

That's true, but that wasn't what I was meaning to say at all. All I
meant was the OS has adware in it right out of the box and it's another
reason to be cleaned up.

So, as others have mentioned, if she's just pulled it out of the box, set it
up, and not gone online, either it's some BS Dell loaded, or they shipped
her a used machine.

Yep, that is also what I meant - nearly all OEMs do that. Dell's PCs
have boatloads of adware pre-installed. I would tend to believe that is
the cause of her messages rather than thinking they'd sold her a used
PC. Not that it isn't possible, it's just a known fact that there is
adware even on a new machine.

Steve

 

[T.C.]

I've set up many Dell systems for clients, and have never had one with a pop
up of THAT type. Often pop ups telling you that your system is unsafe and
to go to a specific site and download something are the result of spyware
either from a previous user's having clicked an email and run a .vbs file,
or installed some warez, or having gone to a web site that installed it. In
any event, to be safe, don't go to that site and DON'T download the
recommended file. If you choose to keep the system, it would be a good idea
to format the hard drive, and restore the system from the Recovery CDs,
before using the system and creating any of your own data files.
Personally, I'd go with what I recommended in my first post, asking for a
NEW system. You might want to go to the news group:

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=alt.sys.pc-clone.de
ll

And post asking if anyone else had that pop up on a newly shipped system.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

Since the "Spyware" was already on the system when it was shipped to you as
"New." Then it would seem to me that the system might not be new. It might
have been returned to Dell from a previous owner who either visited a site
that installed the spyware, or installed a program which included the
spyware. If you paid for a new system, immediately call Dell Customer
Support, and nicely demand what you paid for. If the person you speak with
tries to talk you out of it, then ask to speak with a supervisor. Shipping
used merchandise as "New" got Packard Bell into a class action law suit that
cost the company millions of dollars, and their reputation. If Dell still
refuses to replace your system with a NEW system, nicely tell them you'll
have your credit card company handle it, which should change their mind. If
it doesn't, phone your credit card company and have them take care of it.
PC systems are problematic enough, without you having to take a chance on
what else might go wrong with a used system.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

I just got my computer yesterday and right after start up
and the configuration menus I started to get these popups
saying "you're computer is not safe, go to xxxx.com and
download this program". I wasn't even attached to the
internet at that point and had not added any software so
it seems to be something that's in one of the programs.
Dell say they know what the problem is but can't tell me
how to fix it because it's a microsoft thing. So here I
am. How do I get rid of those stupid popups that are in
my computer? Thanks.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Obviously a nonsensical assertion.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[T.C.]

All good information. But, the original poster wrote that the pop up saying
"your computer is not safe, go to xxxx.com" popped up on a newly delivered
system, which had NOT YET been connected to the internet. That's why I
surmised that the system, although having being shipped as NEW, was probably
a returned system, that was shipped to a new customer, without the hard
drive having been formatted and the operating system and software bundle
having been reinstalled on the clean drive.

 

[PaulC]

No it's not, its Messenger Service spam.

Most prob it's something in your startup items..
Start > run > type in msconfig and enter
Go to Startup tabs, uncheck any unknown entries > apply and close, restart
U might have to try a few time until you get the correct one.

Goodluck!