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

------------------
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

This particular virus came in on a phony Microsoft update message that claimed it was updating my computer. It's called W32.Sobig.B@mm and according to the folks at Norton, it is rare, but they didn't provide any more information other than that. The bug takes shelter in a compressed file which cannot be deleted or quarantined by Norton Antivirus. It resides in c:\_REstore\Archive\Fs348.cab and the file is listed as A0034650.CPY. There are six infected files and they are all in the same location, but no mater what I try, I havn't been able to eliminate them. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I have downloaded the latest Norten updates, which is something I do weekly on a routine basis, but this hasn't helped.

Thanks everyone,

Gary

Gary,
The other option you may have is to do a system restore. To see if you have that...
start>programs>accessories>system tools
See if system restore is there. If so pick a date prior to the virus and the o/s will take you back to what your pc looked like that day.

While we are on that subject...it's a good idea every once in awhile when all is ok, to go in and set a restore point in the same place. Again, it takes a snapshot of where the system is, should you ever need to restore it. Having done the fdisk shuffle a few times myself, I have gotten in the habit of doing that regularily to keep from having to do a total wipe out.
Terry

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

[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 05-31-2003).]

Because they are in the Restore file, you cannot delete them as easily. You can do it through DOS though.
Also, there is an easier way.
The Restore files are used in Windows ME and XP to restore your computer to an earlier point in time, and the computer automatically makes a copy of everything.
You must TURN OFF the Restore facility, then reboot the computer. This (I'm speaking from memory) empties the entire Restore Directory. The virus files, along with all the others in that directory will be gone.
Then, remember to reenable the Restore facility.
You can find exact directions by searching the web site "Deja".
DonM

P.S. Remember the virus files in Restore are only a copy. The files will also be elsewhere in your computer. I think that Symantics now has a program to find and eliminate the virus you have, according to their latest newsletter.

They say they have a removal tool .. http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sobig.b@mm.html

also ... good info at http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/virus/fixes.php3?fixID=74&virusID=64

Hugh,
I tried this one ..... got my fingers crossed ! Thanx !

Well...... it's been more than 10 minutes since I did the "fix" and so far .... NO POP UPS !

YIPPIE !!!!!!!!!!

Hugh,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The fix program nailed the little bugger and wiped it out. Ironically, just as I logged on, the same nasty virus popped up, but it was immediately deleted.

Thanks again for all your help,

Gary

Dave -- your welcome.
Gary -- your welcome, welcome, welcome.

Boy, do I feel useful and helpful. Maybe I will go mop the floor ... nah, done enough for one day :-)

Hugh

Hugh,
Take the rest of the day off ! Relax .... you have put out enough fires for one day !