MarkO

I reckon it's neither of these things. It'll be XP's annoying 'messenger' facility.

To stop it, go to the 'Services' config which is under the Administrative Tools in the Control Panel. Find the 'Messenger' service, and disable it. This will stop the popups.

In case you're worried, the Messenger service isn't related to MS Messenger, so disabling it won't have any adverse effects. It simply stops other users being able to send popups to your machine whilst it's on the 'net.

Oh, and they might have had messages like this before getting broadband, but they become much more prevalent once the machine is on a constant connection with an IP address which rarely changes (unlike dial-up).

[Edited by MarkO - 8/1/2003 3:20:45 PM]

DJ140

I would really appreciate some help with this.

My 85 year old Grandparents have just subscribed to AOL broadband and now receive almost constant pop-up ads.

They have Norton Internet security installed and the pop-up ad filter is correctly configured, but they won't stop. He also runs Windows XP Home edition, if this makes any difference.

I am going to look at the system this evening, as he plans to cancel his AOL contract if he can't stop them, but I suspect he will have the same problems with another provider.

Hope someone can help.

Dan

Big Col

What's a pop-up?

I've got ZoneAlarmPro

marcmann

are you sure that they've started having the problems since AOL. My guess is that he's got some spyware loaded on his machine (usually installed without you knowing). These programs can serve ads to the user at any time.

I'd suggest you download:

http://www.safer-networking.org/inde...&page=download

AND

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

You'll need both as each programs seems to be able to find different things. Run both programs and then remove any spyware that they find. I'm sure that this'll cure the problems.

Make sure that you also run a virus check if you haven't done so already.

Marc

dilbert02

Get the new toolbar from Google. That blocks pop ups and works well. Sometimes stops the pop ups you want to happen mind you. Still you cannot have everything.

MarkO

DJ140, just to check, I presume these are like windows message-boxes, with some text advertising something, and a close button? As opposed to pop-up IE windows with graphical adverts in?

If it's the former, then my fix will definitely stop it. If it's the latter, then it's just one of those things on the 'net. There are various pop-up ad blockers available.

I'm 99% certain it's the messenger service causing the problem though.

DJ140

Thanks for the recommendations Marc, I downloaded Spybot on mine and it found lots of spyware!

Just about to run Adaware and will try the new Google toolbar, they offered me that a few days ago and I didn't bother to read what it would do for me.

Cheers,
Dan

John Catlin

Come on now are you trying to stop your Grand Parents buying ***** extensions, bust enlargements and viagra. ???

You old spoil sport.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Mark,
thats exactly the same problem i get, i think it is xp rather than anything else (and its damned annoying [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] )
But hopefully it should now be cured

Tony

Chris_

There are many free pop up and ad blockers that you can download

DJ140

Thanks for the advice Mark, once the messenger service was disable there have been no more pop-up ads for 48 hours, a great result and my Grandparents are happy once more!

Cheers to everyone who has responded, my Grandad is very grateful.

Dan