Not a KB issue, but certainly one that affects my time here, on the forum. Can "Windows Messenger" be disabled? Do we need it? I get dozens of pop up ads per session, and many of them are from the people advertising that they can eliminate the pop ups !

Is this the equivilent of driving around smashing windshields, and then visiting the victems and selling new auto glass?

I hate these things, but I'm leary about signing up for pop up blockers, and i won't pay for something that should be my own right to begin with ! aaaagh !

Just load "Pop Up Stopper" on your system. It works great and is absolutely FREE. http://www.panicware.com/product_psfree.html
This is what I use and it works great. Just double click on the icon to open another window.
Starkeeper

I have never had a single popup here at Synthzone. I get so many at Yahoo! that it's just not worth the bother. I don't know why I don't get them here. I use Internet Explorer----maybe it's a Mac thing,or a Comcast cable thing, as I get NO email spam. Never tried the blockers---good luck Dave.

The pop-ups primarily come from the ISP. I do not get them, but durng the past week, someone hit me with three virus', one of which I have not been able to get rid of. Looks like I'm gonna' have to format the hard drive one again because someone sent me a nasty. Damn I hate starting over again.

Cheers,

Gary

UD,
To disable /remove windows messenger (at least in XP....I would assume that 98 or ME are similar) go to control panel - add remove programs - add remove windows components - and once the list is populated just uncheck the box next to windows messenger and click apply.

Hope this helps
Tony

I use the panicware pop up stopper mentioned here, free edition and it works GREAT.
Terry

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jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

Gary you might not have to Re-Format your Hard Drive! If you have a Virus Scanner, eg., Norton Anti-Virus, Mcafee Virus Scan, etc., try and update the Virus Dat files over the internet to get the latest protection. Once you've updated your Anti-Virus' program Dat files run a Virus Scan on your computer. With the latest updates you just might be able to catch, quarantine, and eliminate that nasty bug. If that doesn't do the trick if you give me more specific information about the Virus and how it is affecting your computer plus when you first noticed it on your computer there may be other ways to eradicate it without doing the Fdisk rigamarole. That is unless you don't mind spending a day or two or three to re-format and load everything from scratch again.

Best regards,
Mike

Tony, that was my first thought, but it doesn't show up there ! It must be hidden somewhere. Buggers.

Norton Ghost program enables you to save an image of you PC onto a spare partition. Then if you feel you require to Format and reinstall everything due to a fault or virus....you just reinstall the Ghost Image you saved and in 10 minutes your PC is back to normal before the problem...It save hours of work having to reinstall everything.

I set up my Windows OS plus a small selection of essential programs.
I reinstall my saved Ghost Image back every 2 to 3 months for a clean start again. I have used it for years and its very reliable.

Graham UK

There are programs / tweaks that remove Windows Messenger ... http://www.theeldergeek.com/messenger_removal.htm
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/989/
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_mess_disable.htm

which virus are we discussing here? Bound to be a way of getting rid of it without resorting to a reformat.

Hugh