XP Problems (I think)

[sowen]

Problems:
1. Get "Messenger Service" pop ups continuously, whether on internet or not. They range in ads for ways to prevent this (FighttheFlaw.com, to banks, to porn, etc....)
2. Get the following when trying to run Explorer: "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
3. Get this frequently: Line 692 Error: 'document.forms.O.avatarsel.selected index' is null or not an object
4. Cannot copy and paste pics on web and paste into powerpoint. Six months ago this worked.
5. Have been to Microsoft.com for patches. Says I need 17 critical downloads. Start download and it says download complete but unable to install??
6. Have run McAfee and Symantec virus detection (all recently updated)....have found nothing.
7. Was frustrated and and went to PC Doc....says I have 351 errors....problem is I am not sure that spending the $40 for the "key" to fix will solve my problem??

If I can get fixed I will be VERY thankful. Thanks for help.


XP Home 2000
Run McAfee and Symantec Virus Detection

[njovin]

First thing to do is turn off the messenger service. Go to start->run and type in services.msc then click OK. Scroll down to Messenger service and double-click. Change startup type to disabled and click the stop button. That takes care of issue 1.

Next, go to www.ad-aware.com and download ad-aware. It will remove a bunch of spyware, etc. from your computer. It is FREE. Once that is done, come back here and let us know what problems still persist, and we'll work from there.

[procomtech]

I agree with the other post that you have a spyware infection. However, I would run Spybot Search & Destroy v1.2. They both do the same thing, I happen to think spybot does a better job, it really is just personal preference.

[Jager-bomb]

I also agree with the others, this is my routine maintenance list that I've found to work best for me:

1. Run jv16 PowerTools Registry Cleaner
2. Run Spybot S&D
3. Run ERUNT
4. Reboot
5. Run VoptXP after clean reboot and disabling services
6. Reboot

Seems simple but I've yet to have a problem not solved with this simple procedure.

And yes, unless you're in a corporate environment you don't need the Messenger service at all (most corporations don't make use of it either)

[sowen]

Wish I had come to this site a few months ago! THANK YOU!!
I fixed the pop up problem, downloaded the AD Aware and it found 60 items of which I quarantined 59. It also seems that I can now copy and paste pics into powerpoint. I did try Explorer and it still wont come up. THANKS AGAIN! I solved months of headaches in 10 minutes.