Curse

Thrawn Foxheed · Feb 24, 2006, 10:10 AM // 10:10

Could someone please tell me what's going on?
This looks a lot like spyware/adware so i'm stabbing in the dark here.

I also get a similar 'Messenger Service' window at times, usually telling me to visit their website which offers a Regfixer which you have to pay to use -_-.

Usually it goes 1 .99019278823487 Error Found on Registry
2 .www.scanfix.net
3 . Run regfix
4 . do it or your comp will eat itself.

Something along the lines of that. If anyone could help me identify or fix this problem, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Mojo Moo · Feb 24, 2006, 10:18 AM // 10:18

Hi
This looks like messenger sevice thingy. I think it can be shut off with msconfig but I'm not too sure which service it is. Hopefully someone else can give you a better idea of what to do. Sorry I can't be of more help

Numa Pompilius · Feb 24, 2006, 10:24 AM // 10:24

Looks like you need to run a spyware remover. AdAware is good, try that.

Lord Cooper · Feb 24, 2006, 10:26 AM // 10:26

download and run these programs

spybot s&d
ad-aware

if you dont have a fire wall get one.

Xenrath · Feb 24, 2006, 10:26 AM // 10:26

You've probably been infected with spyware/malware for that "fix it or else" message - never ever download or visit sites from popups like those

Ok here's what you need to disable the messenger service

http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

While you're at it grab these

Spyware Blaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Download, install them, update and then go through and Enable All Protections and also do a full system scan using Spybot. If you don't already have one look at getting a decent firewall and antivirus program.

Zone Alarm is quite popular for a firewall, as for Antivirus you can get AVG from Grisoft for free.

Thrawn Foxheed · Feb 24, 2006, 10:31 AM // 10:31

Wow, that was fast, thanks guys. I already run numerous Spyware checks every second day or so, including Adaware and SBS&D. So far, it hasn't fixed the problem. I also run Zonealarm Pro firewall at all times.

I'll try what you said Xenrath thanks.

SaucE · Feb 24, 2006, 12:28 PM // 12:28

Its not spyware. Its a service windows has built in that people can exploite. If you had SP2 installed you would have never had this problem. I also recommend you install SP2 and the current security patches.

Big_Iron · Feb 24, 2006, 12:36 PM // 12:36

If you don't/won't install SP 2, disable your Messenger service. BTW, it has nothing to do with MSN Messenger.

SaucE · Feb 24, 2006, 12:40 PM // 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyDotNet

If you don't/won't install SP 2, disable your Messenger service. BTW, it has nothing to do with MSN Messenger.

I don't get why people won't install SP2.

Verdant · Feb 24, 2006, 12:51 PM // 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaucE

I don't get why people won't install SP2.

It causes problems for people *shrug*. I managed to get it working but if I install the critical updates (on a newly formatted box) it breaks something in windows authentication and completely screws my machine.

Big_Iron · Feb 24, 2006, 01:23 PM // 13:23

I know of a large technology based company that absolutely prohibited installing SP2. They said it broke too many of their home grown apps. I have it installed on my PC and laptop and haven't had any problems.

SaucE · Feb 24, 2006, 01:40 PM // 13:40

I dont know how many times I have installed SP2 on different machines and have never had any issues what so ever. Correction, I had a problem once, getting the update through Windows Update. Instead I downloaded the IT Professionals SP2 version. Been using it ever since no issues.

Link to IT Professionals SP2 installer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Former Ruling · Feb 24, 2006, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Just because you dont have problems doesn't mean others dont...

Some older machines have heart attacks when they think about SP2, and a disruption in the install process can cause major trouble.

SaucE · Feb 24, 2006, 02:00 PM // 14:00

I have SP2 installed on a AMD K6-2 500MHz system. Runs great. My friend has it installed on a AMD k6-2 333MHz system.

Most problems are people trying to use the computer while the patch is installing.

Lerxst_of_Syrinx · Feb 24, 2006, 03:31 PM // 15:31

The biggest reason people won't upgrade to SP2 is they are using illegal copies of Windows XP and they don't want it to disable their systems.
Of course, there are those businesses that use some sort of special applications that won't work on a SP2 machine, but they are the exception.
A home computer user has no real reason not to upgrade - except piracy!

And that message you got was related to the Messenger service. This doesn't affect a lot of users because most ISPs will prevent anything from being sent to a subscriber.

To disable the Messenger service, right click on My Computer, click Manage.
Click on "Services and Applications".
Click "Services".
Scroll to "Messenger"
Double-click it.
Next to "Start-up Type:" choose Disabled. then OK.

It's now disabled.

Reiver Fluffi · Feb 24, 2006, 05:51 PM // 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaucE

I don't get why people won't install SP2.

Too many rumours of it borking legitimate XP Home installs, and then people concious of what M$ included with the SP, people often joked that SP2's code name was "Windows in Nag Mode!".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lerxst_of_Syrinx

The biggest reason people won't upgrade to SP2 is they are using illegal copies of Windows XP and they don't want it to disable their systems.
Of course, there are those businesses that use some sort of special applications that won't work on a SP2 machine, but they are the exception.
A home computer user has no real reason not to upgrade - except piracy!

So wrong, there are plenty of articles that will tell users of illegitimate copies how to install service packs and updates on pirated copies of windows, in addition to that you can slipstream the service packs (using info from M$) on to a pirated copy and this will merge with the original install. Therefore i'm sure many illegal users will have either applied the service packs themselves, or got new discs from their original supplier! Ergo I disagree with your statement above!

EternalTempest · Feb 24, 2006, 06:09 PM // 18:09

I work on the side for a hobby shop and there pc's.

It's a p3-500, 373mb ram, and Ati Radeon 7000.
It's running Xp Home Sp1, I will not put sp2 on this unless I have not choice.

It will slow down the system even fruther and risk breaking is business related software.

I do the slipstream sp2 + ryan vm (aka post sp2 patches) so when I install my copy of windows, it's SP2 + WMP10 + all critical patches to that point in time.

As two people indicated, disable the messenger service will fix your issue.