Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

ignacio

Oct 25, 2004, 12:32 PM

Post #1 of 5 (698 views)

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Internet Problems

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I was at the end of my patience when using my computer, as soon as I started Microsoft
Internet Explorer, somebody else's program would get a hold of my computer and would place me in unwanted 'home' pages.

I would get pop up ads, when connected to Internet and even when NOT connected !

If I wanted to get to some news sites, such as Drudge or Lucianne, a gazzillion new screens with unwanted ads would continue to pop-up.... also my pc would slow down to a crawl.

I downloaded the free Firefox, changed one Control Panel setting and for two months now,
I no longer use Internet Explorer.... you guessed it, no more problems with unwanted pop ups or malicious screens, or slowdown of my computer. All is well with the world.

Internet Explorer is still there, if I ever wanted to use it. (ha, ha)

Firefox sets itself up completely, no settings to worry about, and it brings over all your saved favorite web site's bookmarks from the Explorer.

Below on #1 is how to get Firefox, if you do the download, just follow the on screen
instructions and you are all set. If you have the pop ups when not connected, then
you also need instructions for #2.

Alternately, if you are one of the faithful who wishes to stay with internet explorer from
Microsoft, you might want to get their free latest security update as shown below in #3.

Ignacio

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#1
Free download* of 'Firefox', a replacement for Microsoft's Internet Explorer

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

* 4.5 MB download, free (they welcome a donation if you wish), from the folks
that brought you Netscape Navigator a few years ago.

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#2
Instructions on how to disable 'Messenger' pop up ads (e.g. 'you won prize xyz, contact
so and so at .....) when you are NOT even connected to Internet.

If people want them, and if it is allowed, I can post the instructions how to do it.

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or #3
If you want to continue to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you can get a

free upgrade from Microsoft for winXP Internet Explorer :

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

MS will mail a free CD of Windows XP Service Pack 2</a> from Microsoft-they even pay
shipping. (They ship worldwide for free)

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johanson / Moderator

Oct 25, 2004, 6:53 PM

Post #2 of 5 (656 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Internet Problems

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Ignacio. You are welcome to post messages about how to disable Messenger pop up ads.

FireFox is a great alternative. However, I am so used to IE, that I think I will never give it up. I don't have any of the problems you mentioned, but I had to work hard to create that environment. I like SP 2 and think it will make life easier for many.

Just for the heck of it, I downloaded SP-2 via dialup in WA in the country 20 miles from the ISP and in Ajijic 700 meters from a TelMex switching station which is across the street from the ISP. Neither was a piece of cake, but both were successful. Each took the better part of a day; 10 hours in the US and 16 hours in Mexico. (I had to redial several times)

There is a 50 peso alternative here in Ajijic, the local computer shop has SP-2 on CD and will download it for you. I think their name is now New World Technology. They are located in the Bugambilias shopping center below the movie theater. Their tel # is 766-4343

I used a wide open 802.11b almost t-1 connection on the third PC here in Ajijic. It seemed to only take 15 to 30 minutes. I wasn't paying that much attention. Broadband sure beats dialup.

(This post was edited by johanson on Oct 25, 2004, 8:16 PM)

ignacio

Oct 26, 2004, 8:52 AM

Post #3 of 5 (628 views)

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Re: [johanson] Internet Problems

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Here is the info on how to disable MS Messenger's pop up ads:

Disabling the Messenger Service

In Microsoft's default configuration, there is a little program called Messenger Services. This is different from the MSN Messenger, which is an instant message chat program. The program is basically designed for Network Administrators to send alerts and notifications to users, but the bad guys discovered that they can use Messenger Services to send advertisements and spam to vulnerable machines on a network or if an individual is simply online. A box will pop up on your screen with the text "Messenger Services" at the top, but the text will be an annoying ad for a product or service.

You can easily change this setting, but if you are on a network or at work, check with the IT guys before disabling the Messenger Service, as doing so may result in Windows not being able to alert you to some conditions (like some print spooler, anti-virus, and event logger status messages if you access these services from a network server).

To disable the Messenger service, take the following steps:

Windows 2000

1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services
2. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
3. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
4. Click the STOP button.
5. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
6. Click OK

Windows XP

1. Click Start -> Control Panel
2. Click Performance and Maintenance
3. Click Administrative Tools
4. Double click Services
5. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
7. Click the STOP button.
8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
9. Click OK

Brian

Oct 26, 2004, 11:20 AM

Post #4 of 5 (615 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Internet Problems

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Here is a little applet which permits the user to easily toggle between enabling and disabling Messenger:

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

saludos
Brian

Papirex

Oct 26, 2004, 8:03 PM

Post #5 of 5 (591 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Internet Problems

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I stopped the Messenger program using the msconfig utility. Open msconfig, click on the services tab, scroll down to Messenger, and click on the box to remove the check mark. After a restart, Messenger is no longer running. This is an easier and quicker method for me than going in to Administrative tools.

Incidentally you can put Administrative tools in the programs menu so you don’t need to open control panel to use it. To do that, click on start/settings/taskbar & start menu/advanced tab/click to put a check mark on administrative tools/click on OK.

I have used msconfig to stop several programs from running at startup, some of them I seldom use, and there is no sense in having them running and slowing down the computer when they are not in use. My external Iomega Zip drive is a good example. I seldom use it anymore, and it is a big hog of resources. The programs I have stopped at startup, such as MSOffice, start immediately when needed.

I use Windows 2000, msconfig was left out of that OS. I put it back in. Anybody that uses W2K that wants to install msconfig can do it easily. Click on this link:
http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html do not open the file, save it to your computer and put it in WINNT. It will now open in the usual way, by clicking on start/run/ typing in msconfig, and clicking on OK. It is the msconfig program from XP, it starts in reduced size and there is no resize button. I am tickled to have it back in any form. For me, the only advantage, among many disadvantages, that I could see to using XP was that it has the msconfig utility.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by RexC on Oct 26, 2004, 8:46 PM)