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General discussion

pop up ads

Dec 11, 2003 1:08AM PST

How can I get rid of these pop up ads that come up when IE isn't even open?

Discussion is locked

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Re:pop up ads
Dec 11, 2003 1:18AM PST

Ed,

Whenever posting questions on these forums, please give us as much information about the computer as possible. The operating system, processor speed, brand name of the computer (if there is one), the EXACT types of pop-up or errors you're receiving, and in your case, the type of internet connection you are using. The more information you give us, the better informed our answer will be. Enough of that, back to your question.

First, because it may be spyware or virus related, please install or run the free programs that are listed at this link:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=1313&start=0

Next, because "Messenger" can cause this type of thing, please follow the procedures below to disable it:

In order to stop the Windows Messenger program from loading at start up, but still allow it to be available when needed:
1. Open Windows Messenger by clicking on Start-Run, type 'msmsgs.exe' (without the quotes), click OK, or click Start-Programs-Windows Messenger.
2. Click on 'Tools' in the upper left, choose 'Options'.
3. Click on the 'Preferences' tab, then UNCHECK the box next to 'Run this program when Windows starts'.
4. UNCHECK the box next to 'Allow this program to run in the background'.
5. Click on 'OK'.

In order to stop it from running when opening Outlook Express:
1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click on 'Tools' in the upper left, choose 'Options'.
3. On the 'General' tab, UNCHECK the box next to 'Automatically log on to MSN Messenger Service'.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re:Re:pop up ads
Dec 11, 2003 1:31AM PST

Hi Grif, sorry this is my first time. It's a Dell 2350 with Windows XP 2.1 Gig 256k ram. I have a DSL connection but I'm not sure of the speed.The latest pop up was an ad informing me I had spyware installed and I should click on for more information. I get all kind of ads from mortgage companys to dating services. IE isn't even open when they pop up. How is this possible? It's very frustrating. I have downloaded the free version of spy sweeper. It got rid of some but not all of them. Thanks for the info.

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I am using ...
Dec 11, 2003 6:56AM PST

a freeware called PopUp Eraser from Web Snacks.
When this software is turn "On", all the "Pop-Up" will be killed as soon as it opened. You can temporaly turn it "Off" as sometimes you want it too.

The other pretty good one is PestPatrol (shareware) which included a program called "PopUp Killer" and it does a very good job too.

Regards,

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Ed, Some Folks Are Using the New Google Toolbar...
Dec 11, 2003 7:36AM PST

...which also has a pop up killer included. Lot's of pop up stoppers available. Here's a link:

http://toolbar.google.com/

In my case, I choose to use a "Hosts" file which isn't a program at all but simply stops sites from loading. Download the HOSTS file, place it in the appropriate folder on your computer, and it works. Here's a link about HOSTS:

http://accs-net.com/hosts/

It's your choice.

Grif

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Re:pop up ads
Dec 11, 2003 8:22AM PST

I think the others are making assumptions that can't always be made.

Are these popups like browser windows, or are they more like regular OS Windows (like when you click on Help and About)?

If they're not browser windows, then hit Google and search for "disable windows messenger service" and you'll probably find hundreds of pages telling you how to stop these things.

If they are browser windows, it can often happen because Microsoft has bolted IE onto the operating system. It's used by virtually everything... Now. Scan for spyware, clean it up, and then do yourself a favor and download Mozilla ( http://www.mozilla.org ) or Firebird. I started using Mozilla at 1.0, and it's been an unrequested popup blocking bliss ever since. Not to mention the other great features designed to make the life of your average web browser easier.