Any computer techies in the Lounge who can help with a pop-up problem?

[Jazz2006]

I keep getting these stupid popups from WinFixer and similar - random fake "errors on your registry system" etc. They pop up, and then when I close one, another one pops up, close that, another one pops up. Usually 2 or 3 times, sometimes 5 or 6 times in a row. Sometimes when I close one, it also closes whatever window I was in (like DU, for instance, and then I have to open IE again and log back in, etc.) and it is annoying the hell out of me.

I looked it up online and saw a long and complicated explanation for it on the Symantec site but it sounded awfully complicated to get rid of, and I was hoping that someone here might be able to explain the solution to me in a less complicated fashion.

I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks in advance if you are able to assist.

:D

[diamondsndust]

1. go into your settings and disable windows messenger..

I'm running windows 2000 professionial and it worked for me. You can also get free pop-up blockers from google toolbar or yahoo toolbar. You can also find several free blockers at http://www.majorgeeks.com Major Geeks is a great site to find anything you need for your computer, some of it free, some of it shareware

[Jazz2006]

4. Oops, I posted my reply in the wrong spot, diamondsndust...

Please see #3.

And thank you for the suggestion!

[Floogeldy]

2. I have the exact same problem.

I can't help but think it is embedded in Windows Explorer. I have XP for home. I haven't been able to get rid of it.

[Jazz2006]

5. Here's the Symantec link... which illustrates why I feel so overwhelmed by

the proposed solution.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/winfixer.html

[Floogeldy]

6. The solution seems to be to get a Symantec anti-virus program.

I may be paranoid, but I think Microsoft supports this "Winfixer" program and we are stuck with it.

[Jazz2006]

7. I tried to follow the Symantec instructions but...

I got this far:

3. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified subkeys only. Read the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

Click Start > Run.
Type regedit

Then click OK.

Note: If the registry editor fails to open the risk may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.


Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


In the right pane, delete the following:

"WinFixer 2005" = "C:\Program Files\WinFixer 2005\WFX5.exe"


~ ~ ~ Problem is that there is no "WinFixer 2005 = C.... etc etc" showing in that location so I can't find it to delete it.

Grrrrr.

You may be right about switching AV programs. I never thought of that.

[Jazz2006]

3. I have Windows XP Media Edition...

...but I use msn messenger fairly often so I don't really want to disable it. I also have popup blockers that block everything EXCEPT these stupid WinFixer and other "fake" Windows a-v program type stuff.

There is a long explanation about this particular problem on the Symantec site that explains how to get rid of it, but it's awfully complicated.

[diamondsndust]

8. it doesnt affect MSN messenger, just windows messenger

Disabling the Messenger Service
You can disable the Messenger service if you want to although doing so may result in Windows not being able to alert you to some conditions. A list of circumstances when Windows will use the Messenger service to pop up informative windows isn't available right now but may include things like "print job complete", anti-virus, and event logger status messages. Also, "new mail" notifications may not be available in an Exchange/Outlook environment.

Windows 2000

Click Start->Programs->Administrative Tools->Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK
Windows XP

Click Start->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 in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK
You can verify the service is disabled by typing the following at a command prompt. If no message appears, the Messenger service has been disabled.

net send 127.0.0.1 "test"

http://www.jmu.edu/computing/security/info/winmsg.shtml

[Jazz2006]

9. Ohhhhh - I'll try that then!

I'll let you know if it works!!!

Thank you!

[Jazz2006]

10. Nope, afraid not.

I only got this far:

Windows XP

Click Start->Control Panel
Click Performance and Maintenance

~ ~ ~ there is no option called "Performance and Maintenance" or anything similar.

Grrr.

Thank you just the same.

I appreciate your help.

[Jazz2006]

11. Oh... maybe....

I've switched to the "category view" in control panel and I found Performance and Maintenance ~ ~ ~ fingers crossed!

[diamondsndust]

12. sorry...

I don't have XP, don't like XP and I just got the info from the site... try checking in your program files for it (messenger service) and go from there.. maybe someone who has XP might know the trick to finding the file, but that is the problem, windows messenger service... i'll look around some more and see what i can find for you

[Jazz2006]

13. No, no. No apologies at all!

I really appreciate your help.

I found the Performance and Maintenance link once I changed to a different view in Control Panel.

And this time, I got this far:

Windows XP
Click Start->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 in the Startup Type scroll bar

~ ~ ~ when I got to Properties, it was already showing Disabled in the Startup Type scroll bar and the "Stop" button was already grayed out.

Click OK

~ ~ ~ so I clicked OK anyway. But I don't know how to do this final step to check to see if it is disabled:

You can verify the service is disabled by typing the following at a command prompt. If no message appears, the Messenger service has been disabled.
net send 127.0.0.1 "test"

So... how do I get to a command prompt to type in the test?

[diamondsndust]

14. try this...

click 'start'>programs>accessories>system tools>command prompt

you may have to choose "view all programs" when you click start

[Jazz2006]

15. Almost...

I got as far as start>all programs>accessories>system tools but there was no option for command prompt there.

[diamondsndust]

16. ok, try this then...

http://www.majorgeeks.com/DisableRemove_Windows_Messenger_d2327.html

I've used major geeks for programs for over 3 years now and I've never had a problem with any of their downloads. They are certified virus free and I would recommend them to anyone.

[Jazz2006]

17. Thank you. I'll try that!

I apologize for taking up so much of your time, by the way, but I appreciate all of your assistance!

:toast:

:toast:

:toast:

[diamondsndust]

18. You are quite welcome...

I only hope it helps you out... I hated those pesky pop-ups! Let me know if you need any more help

[Jazz2006]

19. Thank you! I will try it in the morning as I don't want my tiredness to

mess it up :)

Thanks again!!!!

:toast:

:toast:

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