Messenger Spam....HELP!

OK, I'm new here so go easy on me. My problem is this...
While doing various tasks on my PC I will get a SPAM windows message from people trying to sell something. One is an online bank, one is an internet security site...yada yada yada. I go to the site to tell them to knock it the frig off, and of course there is no way to send them email. It is driving me nuts!
I have XP-SP1 and I have disabled messenger through the registry! It's not even running! How the heck can they send these annoying ads when it's not enabled? And, more importantly, how do I block them from doing it?
Please tell me there's a simple fix before I smash my head through my monitor..
Thanks in advance for any help.

-Joe

 

Welcome to the boards

This thread should help.

 

Holey Moley, I would have never figured that one out. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

 

Glad to have helped and hope it works