computer messages
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
computer messages
So heres a question for someone better with computers than me. The last couple weeks windows messanger windows pop up on my computer every couple minutes or so advertising all kinds of crap. How can i get them to stop. Its quite annoying.
THanks guys
THanks guys
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
computer messages
I assume you are running Windows of some form. Start by deleting all cookies and temp internet files. Then empty the recycle bin. If this doesn't cure it, look into adaware, spybot, and process viewer or some form of equivalent. You can also "mask" the problem by using a pop-up stopper.
Do you have up to date AV software? If not, you can (and should) go to symantec.com and run Norton AV for free to check for viruses, trojan horses, etc. Do you recall exactly how this started? Was it after opening an email attachment or after visiting a website?
You are not alone; my neighbor let a guy use his computer at work to visit a legitimate website and now he's got **** popping up every couple of minutes. Seems someone hijacked the website that Sunday afternoon. He's a preacher and the 'puter is in the church.
Do you have up to date AV software? If not, you can (and should) go to symantec.com and run Norton AV for free to check for viruses, trojan horses, etc. Do you recall exactly how this started? Was it after opening an email attachment or after visiting a website?
You are not alone; my neighbor let a guy use his computer at work to visit a legitimate website and now he's got **** popping up every couple of minutes. Seems someone hijacked the website that Sunday afternoon. He's a preacher and the 'puter is in the church.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
computer messages
Go to www.trend.com (PC/Cillin) and virus check your harddrive online.
Check to see if something is in your startup directory.
Check to see if something is in your startup directory.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
computer messages
This may not be a virus/spyware issue. If you are running Windows Messenger (probably at startup) you can get this annoying stuff. You can disable messenger at startup. Here's a good link that can tell you more about this.
http://www.mynetwatchman.com/kb/secu...les/popupspam/
the spam!
http://www.mynetwatchman.com/kb/secu...les/popupspam/
the spam!
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
computer messages
No one that I know has ever used Windows messager. I just deleted the Messenger folder out of the C drive. Have you checked for spyware? http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10...ml?tag=lst-0-8 That is a great utillity for flushing alot of garbage out of your system. My internet explorer got bogged down, and I had ads popping up everywhere. I ran that, its like new again.
Rich
Rich
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Bragg, NC
computer messages
Hi,
I assume that you have RoadRunner or some other cable internet?
I assume that you are running WinNT,2000, or XP?
If so then it's not a virus or spyware or anything. It's morons exploiting a natural function of Windows. They just send messages to a list of IP addresses and windows things it's someone sending you a message (Kind of an underdeveloped Instant Messenger). You just need to disable the messenger service:
XP --> Right Click "My Computer" -- Manage -- Services and Applications -- Services -- Find Messenger in the list and disable it.
I think 2000 is pretty much the same. NT needs the same thing done, but I don't remember exactly where the Services are (Admin Tools under Programs on Start menu maybe)
1LT Anthony Somma
I assume that you have RoadRunner or some other cable internet?
I assume that you are running WinNT,2000, or XP?
If so then it's not a virus or spyware or anything. It's morons exploiting a natural function of Windows. They just send messages to a list of IP addresses and windows things it's someone sending you a message (Kind of an underdeveloped Instant Messenger). You just need to disable the messenger service:
XP --> Right Click "My Computer" -- Manage -- Services and Applications -- Services -- Find Messenger in the list and disable it.
I think 2000 is pretty much the same. NT needs the same thing done, but I don't remember exactly where the Services are (Admin Tools under Programs on Start menu maybe)
1LT Anthony Somma
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Walterboro, SC
computer messages
A really good site for any Windows XP user is: www.xptuneup.com go to his tips and tricks to fix things yourself or you can download a program from there that will do it for you. (all you have to do is click buttons) The popup windows on messenger can probably be fixed by going to windows messenger--right click the messenger icon on the right of your taskbar--go to 'options' or 'preferences' and find in there where you can tell it to not ever show advertisements or take you to some .url Another thing to do if you never use windows messenger is go to 'Start' - 'Run' - type in 'msconfig' - push enter - go to the 'Startup' tab and uncheck any service that you do not want to start up with windows. Then restart your computer and it will never start back up unless you tell it to. Hope this helps.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Brampton Canada
computer messages
Pc World's web site has a GREAT pop-up stopper thats 100% free. I use it and I've never had a problem. Here is the url for the free download:
http://search.pcworld.com/query.html...a=en&fl0=&op0=
Glenn
http://search.pcworld.com/query.html...a=en&fl0=&op0=
Glenn
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Pa
computer messages
This sounds slot like the Save Now Spyware that has been infecting alot of machines these days. A great program for getting rid of spyware is ad-aware and that is available at www.lavasoft.de. I use it on all my machines and all my customers machines. It does amazing things in getting machines back up to speed and cleaning them out.
If you want I can look a little more into this if you want to give me some information on your computer. Let me know and I will send you a list of things I need to know about your machine and we can see what we can do.
If you want I can look a little more into this if you want to give me some information on your computer. Let me know and I will send you a list of things I need to know about your machine and we can see what we can do.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
computer messages
I don't know how this stuff happen's, but a few week's ago a virus entered my system through messenger, wiped out everything. My new software delete's cookie's every time I log off automaticly and I no longer use messenger. For a person like myself it was rough getting everything working again. The free upgrade download's for my system ( Hewlett Packard ) have made a great difference in the way mine work's
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,683
Likes: 3,148
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
computer messages
Last month PC Mag. did an article on "spy ware" and rated the removal programs. Well they rated "Spybot" as #1. Several months ago I was hit by a "highJacker site" and used Ad ware. it found the problrm and did not correct the problem. SpyBot found and corrected the problem. I have both on the server and Admin computer here at home and Ad ware will find most of the spy ware and Spybot will find the rest!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Brampton Canada
computer messages
Unfortunantly, you can't. If you are using Windows XP its "built in". Even versions of MSN Messasnger for Windows ME, Windows 98, etc can't be removed once they've been installed. Fun, huh? 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
computer messages
Never use real-time messenger systems - they invite people you don't know to bug you at all times of day and night. Messengering is the worst way to screw up your connection, and is the first thing I disable on my machines - if I was fool enough to download any in the first place.
I'm not THAT desperate for human interaction....
I'm not THAT desperate for human interaction....
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
computer messages
in wndows 98 or ME, just go to RUN in the start menu, type in MSCONFIG and uncheck all the unwanted BS, you can stop any messenger from loading when the computer starts up.