Tip for anyone with "messenger" problems (pop-ups that look likeAlerts, etc.)

[Andrew Madigan]

"messenger" is from Windows NT/2000 and got carried over to Windows XP.
There is a very simple way to stop these without installing software or
paying money.

Here it is:
Go to My Computer-Control Panel-Administrative Tools (if you don't see
this you may need to select "Classic View" on the left.

Double-Click "Services"
A list will appear, find "Messenger"
Right click "Messenger" and click properties
Click the button that says "Stop"
Next click the menu next to "Startup Type:"
Select "Disabled"

Now these pop-ups will be gone, there is no reason to install other
software (in fact installing a firewall may not even work)

 

[William Gower]

Yes but everyone should still have a firewall. Especially those using
Cable/DSL.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

A common misconception about the messenger service.

All anyone needs to do to stop the popups is enable the native firewall
(advanced tab of the connection properties).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Willit]

Firewall is best.

or

Start Method : goto Start > Run > Type "msconfig" on the
Start Config. Menu go to Services Tab , go down the list
to "Messenger" uncheck, apply> ok re-boot. you will get a
warning when you re-boot >ok Done.

or

If you don't want it or need it or the Alerter Service
Delete it. Most don't, unless you are on a network, other
than your own. The Alerter Service is used on a network
to send virus alerts. You have to be on a network before
either have any use.

To Delete the Messenger Service:

Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: sc delete messenger.
Reboot.

or

Or go to Start/Run/Regedit and go to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\
Messengerservice Delete Key. You can export it in case
you want it again,
then delete. Reboot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Please stop deliberately posting potentially harmful advice.

Disabling the messenger service is a "head in the sand" approach
to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to threats such as
the W32.Blaster.Worm.

The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups; they're
actually providing a useful service by acting as a security alert. The
true problem is the unsecured computer, and you're only
advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. How is
this helpful?

Equivalent Scenario: You over-exert your shoulder at work or
play, causing bursitis. After weeks of annoying and sometimes
excruciating pain whenever you try to reach over your head, you go to
a doctor and say, while demonstrating the motion, "Doc, it hurts when
I do this." The doctor, being as helpful as you are, replies, "Well,
don't do that."

The only true way to secure the PC, short of disconnecting it from
the Internet, is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; just
installing one and letting it's default settings handle things is no
good. Unfortunately, this does require one to learn a little bit more
about using a computer than used to be necessary.

And, anyway, why are you advising the OP to disable the messenger
service to deal with what is clearly a totally unrelated browser
pop-up? The OP needs an Internet pop-up blocker.


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

 

[Ranjit]

A common misconception about the messenger service.

All anyone needs to do to stop the popups is enable the native firewall
(advanced tab of the connection properties).

I was advised that LAN network sharing between XP and 98 doesn't work if the
native firewall is enabled.
Is that true?
Ofcourse, my router inbuilt firewall should be good enough I hope.

Ranjit

 

[David Candy]

Disabling the service is BAD advice. If you receive the message it shows servere problems with one's Windows Networking configuration. Specifically it's connected to the internet.

On a standalone computer one disables NetBIOS over TCP/IP (on the WINS page). On a network one configures a firewall where the internet joins the network to keep internet stuff away from Networking stuff. A firewall will work on a standalone computer too but it still remains incorrectly configured.

NetBIOS is what allows file and printer sharing, Terminal server logon, Domain validation, etc. Depending on other settings, if they can send a message they can logon and access your printer and hard drive, especially if Simple File Sharing is on.

The fix is to fix the problem not hide the symptoms.

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

He is clearly speaking of the Messenger Service popups. Disabling the
Service, works very well for many. Some configurations have the firewall
disabled and 'never' had to comprise that with gaining the blaster worm.
Lastly, there is nothing in this thread that has to do with popups other
than from the Messenger Service to infer needing an internet popup blocker.

--
Happy Holidays,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

Repair/Customize Quick Launch, Taskbar and Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

Registry Edits, Tips and Tricks for XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Greetings --

Please stop deliberately posting potentially harmful advice.

Disabling the messenger service is a "head in the sand" approach
to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to threats such as
the W32.Blaster.Worm.

The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups; they're
actually providing a useful service by acting as a security alert. The
true problem is the unsecured computer, and you're only
advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. How is
this helpful?

Equivalent Scenario: You over-exert your shoulder at work or
play, causing bursitis. After weeks of annoying and sometimes
excruciating pain whenever you try to reach over your head, you go to
a doctor and say, while demonstrating the motion, "Doc, it hurts when
I do this." The doctor, being as helpful as you are, replies, "Well,
don't do that."

The only true way to secure the PC, short of disconnecting it from
the Internet, is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; just
installing one and letting it's default settings handle things is no
good. Unfortunately, this does require one to learn a little bit more
about using a computer than used to be necessary.

And, anyway, why are you advising the OP to disable the messenger
service to deal with what is clearly a totally unrelated browser
pop-up? The OP needs an Internet pop-up blocker.


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

 

[Kelly]

He is clearly speaking of the Messenger Service popups. Disabling the
Service, works very well for many. Some configurations have the firewall
disabled and 'never' had to comprise that with gaining the blaster worm.
Lastly, there is nothing in this thread that has to do with popups other
than from the Messenger Service to infer needing an internet popup blocker.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It's quite true that the built-in firewall is not designed to be
used on internal LAN connections. The only connection on which you
should have ICF enabled is the direct connection to the Internet.


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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I know what the OP was asking about, Kelly. Disabling the
messenger service as the sole solution is an exceedingly foolish thing
to do; it doesn't close the ports that are open to other exploits.
Anyone one offering that as a sole solution is offering harmful
advice. A properly configured firewall is necessary for proper
security.

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

 

[Kelly]

I hear you, David. I was not aswering the post. I was making a comment.




Disabling the service is BAD advice. If you receive the message it shows
servere problems with one's Windows Networking configuration. Specifically
it's connected to the internet.

On a standalone computer one disables NetBIOS over TCP/IP (on the WINS
page). On a network one configures a firewall where the internet joins the
network to keep internet stuff away from Networking stuff. A firewall will
work on a standalone computer too but it still remains incorrectly
configured.

NetBIOS is what allows file and printer sharing, Terminal server logon,
Domain validation, etc. Depending on other settings, if they can send a
message they can logon and access your printer and hard drive, especially if
Simple File Sharing is on.

The fix is to fix the problem not hide the symptoms.

 

[Kelly]

Sole solution, no and I agree.

Greetings --

I know what the OP was asking about, Kelly. Disabling the
messenger service as the sole solution is an exceedingly foolish thing
to do; it doesn't close the ports that are open to other exploits.
Anyone one offering that as a sole solution is offering harmful
advice. A properly configured firewall is necessary for proper
security.

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