As I recall, I solved the whole issue
with popups when I installed DNSKong
and eDexter on my XP machine.
Haven't had a popup since.
It has been so long since I did it I forget
how to install it, but they have a new edition
out that looks easier for both programs.
Check out:
http://www.pyrenean.com/dnsk.php
And if you are being bothered by IM popups,
you can disable your IM software easily by using
XP-antispy which can be found at:
http://www.xp-antispy.org/
Hope this helps. It will solve the problem.
But btw, I personally use Firefox too, since
I refuse to mess with Internet Explorer. Been
there, done that and had too too many problems.
DB