Risë bashed at the keyboard and said:
can anyone tell me how to stop the pop up ads - this has
only been a problem since I began using Windows XP
If your messages look like this:
http://tinyurl.com/is9k
The messages are coming from "The Messenger Service" (NOT MSN Messenger)
However, the messenger service is not the problem.
The real problem is the fact that you are not running a firewall, or if you
are, you haven't blocked ports 137-139
A good firewall can be found at
www.zonelabs.com
To remove the ability for anyone in the world to pop up messages on your
computer, you can disable the Messenger service.
Its easy to reverse at a later time if you wish to do so.
The small (free) "ShootTheMessenger" Messenger service enabler/disabler will
turn off the messenger services for you.
http://grc.com/
Or you can do it manually.
*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
HTH