Genealogy Chat

I have had to restore my computer today after a massive problem caused by SP2 installation. I am now getting lots of pop ups. I had stopped this before, but can't remember what I did. Can anybody help please. Diane

Hello If you download the Google tool bar this stops most of them Regards Nikki

See the thread: 1 Stop Routine PC Maintenance.....download the recommended spyware / adware programs: ADAWARE, SPYWAREBLASTER and SPYWAREGUARD. Adaware will remove the junk already on your PC, the other two programs will prevent programs from downloading themselves without your knowledge. Adaware only removes the junk that spyware/adware programs put on your PC so you may have to manually remove programs that are already there. In the ADAWARE results, after the program has scanned, look for anything that ends in an .exe file extension. Those are the programs that will need to be manually removed to prevent further pop-ups from being generated. Use your ADD/REMOVE PROGRAM feature in your CONTROL PANEL to remove them. As for toolbars, although Google is not as bad as others, they all ADD spyware to your PC. J

Hi Diane This was recommended to me months ago and I've used it with no problems what so ever. I've not had any pop-ups since !! http://www.grc(.)com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm Esta :)

Messenger Service has nothing to do with normal popups, spyware or Windows Messenger. Pop up blockers will not stop them.Messenger Service is part of windows and is used to send messages to other network computers.( I have used it to send them to my son using the netsend command in DOS ) It is however being spammed and should be disabled, SP2 now turns it off by default. You can use the above utility or as follows Windows 2000 Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services Scroll down and highlight "Messenger" Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. Click the STOP button. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar Click OK Windows XP Home Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel Click Performance and Maintenance Click Administrative Tools Double click Services Scroll down and highlight "Messenger" Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. Click the STOP button. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar Click OK Windows XP Professional Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel Click Administrative Tools Click Services Double click Services Scroll down and highlight "Messenger" Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. Click the STOP button. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar Click OK Firewall should block them but turn off anyway. I know SP2 is causing problems but it can also block "normal popups" as well so you don't need a toolbar for that. Bob

Thank you all for your answers, only having to do this after computer died and had to restore after installing sp2!!! Bob I think that's what I was after, remember getting info from a website and doing that, Diane

Diane your probably not going to touch SP2 again for a while then! But I would recommend getting an install disk (out on mags now) rather than update as it has given me problems on two machines. It is a shame cause it does have some nice features. Bob

Service pack 2 for windows XP is an update fom Uncle Bill Gates that is supposed to make your computer more secure but is causing some grief. It comes as a download or on disk. Bob

Hi, Robert, If I do what you say will it disable messenger altogether or just stop the pop ups? Gwynne

Gwynneth it will stop messenger service and its popups but you don't need it. Will not stop windows messenger or any other messenger. It a totally different beast. That what confuses people, Windows Messenger and Messenger Service are not the same. As I said, Service Pack 2 turns it off anyway, thats how much use it is. Bob

Thanks, Robert. Gwynne

Hi Bob, Do you think it's worth me getting the disc then and maybe installing it now my computer has pretty much zilch on it?? I don't have sp1 now either do I?? does that make a difference. Thanks Diane

Diane, SP1 is contained within SP2 so the full disc should update XP or XPSP1. If your PC is fairly new then your restore disk (which is what most people have) will restore you to SP1. The mag I got was PC Advisor which has a 12 page guide. The restore disks are not all the same, the one on my desktop starts with a soft option that leaves your files alone, but others will wipe everthing to as new. This can be pain with reinstalling software ( they always stick codes on the back of the PC) and you have to know your email passwords etc, but sometimes there is no option. Bob