unwanted prompts

[JGMT1]

I get two sets of prompts that appear when I log in.

The first box ways "Connect to www.google.com" and asks for a user name and
password. I can cancel it but I don't want to be prompted every time. I use
google as my home page but only want to sign in to google to see mail every
now and then. If I cancel the prompt, the home page is still there - so I
don't see why I get this prompt in the first place.

The second box that comes up at pretty much the same time is "Windows
Installer" which says it's looking for the DELL network assistant......it
runs for a while and then prpmpts to say that the Dell Network Assistant is
on a CD ROM which I must insert. I don't have this disc - so again I cancel
out and can carry on as normal. The final message is ERROR 1706.
Again - I do not see why I am getting this prompt in the first place.

I would love to stop thsi happening but efforts to do that so far have
failed. Any suggestions?
I am on windwos XP on a DELL Dimension E 520......

 

[Paul]

I get two sets of prompts that appear when I log in.

The first box ways "Connect to www.google.com" and asks for a user name and
password. I can cancel it but I don't want to be prompted every time. I use
google as my home page but only want to sign in to google to see mail every
now and then. If I cancel the prompt, the home page is still there - so I
don't see why I get this prompt in the first place.

The second box that comes up at pretty much the same time is "Windows
Installer" which says it's looking for the DELL network assistant......it
runs for a while and then prpmpts to say that the Dell Network Assistant is
on a CD ROM which I must insert. I don't have this disc - so again I cancel
out and can carry on as normal. The final message is ERROR 1706.
Again - I do not see why I am getting this prompt in the first place.

I would love to stop thsi happening but efforts to do that so far have
failed. Any suggestions?
I am on windwos XP on a DELL Dimension E 520......

According to this, the Dell Network Assistant (HomeNet Manager?) is some kind of
software provided on a subscription basis. There is a 90 day trial option, and
a one year license purchase. Now you have to find out, why it is trying to install
itself.

http://support.dell.com/support/top...d=182A13F962C63B21E0401E0A55175C51&doclang=en

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/Dell-Puts-New-Wireless-Setup-into-Laptops/

*******

To understand your system, to get an overview, there are a couple things you
could try.

Sysinternals "Autoruns"

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

That one shows the myriad of ways that things can happen at startup. It can
give you a dose of information overload, given half a chance. But it is one
way of looking at how certain things can start, when the computer starts.

This article probably isn't the best one you could find, but it
does give a few ideas. (Although I don't agree with the suggestion
to use registry cleaning applications. Too much automation is not
a good thing. It's like fixing a small blemish in the paint on your
car, with a sand blaster.)

http://www.infocellar.com/winxp/autostart.htm

Another tool when you want information overload, is HijackThis. Generally,
people are discouraged from posting logs from HijackThis, all over the place.
Certain malware removal sites, accept postings of the contents, as a means
of diagnosing a computer. When you scan through the list of things it finds,
it will jog your memory about the stuff you've installed on your computer.
So, I'm recommending this, only as a means to remind you what you've put
on the computer. (Perhaps pesky software, that keeps a low profile.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijackthis

http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/

An example of a HijackThis log.

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19246440.aspx

Perhaps some Toolbar, desktop aid, or other software you've added, is
attempting to connect to Gmail. Otherwise, attempts to "connect" to
something, and query for a username and password, could be an attempt to
steal that information. So, you're right to dismiss the dialog, rather than
fill it out.

HTH,
Paul

 

[JGMT1]

thank you Paul - I have now got rid of the network assistant prompt and am
working on the google!
Jerry

 

[Paul]

thank you Paul - I have now got rid of the network assistant prompt and am
working on the google!
Jerry

You're welcome.

Paul