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Windows Messenger - the solution ! ?

Discussion in 'Other PC Software' started by Christer, 2004/02/23.

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  1. 2004/02/23
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hello all!

    There have been a few threads lately dealing with Messenger and these threads have a tendency to get confusing due to the existence of at least three different Messengers.

    I´m discussing NEITHER Messenger Service NOR MSN Messenger.

    I´m discussing Windows Messenger which is included in WINDOWS XP.

    I have tried preventing it from running in the background and by the means of a few registry hacks, it is possible but it makes Windows Messenger useless when I actually want to use it at my own discretion.

    Unchecking the appropriate boxes in Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook is not enough, it simply doesn´t work.

    Last week, I transfered my system to a new harddrive and when I did, I took the opportunity to use a Ghost Image that was created prior to updating Windows Messenger from version 4.7.0041 to version 4.7.2009. The new version is said to be more secure and is on the Recommended Updates list.

    I have noticed two differences.
    The first is that the original version is not integrated with Internet Explorer.
    The second is that, while the original version of Windows Messenger is running in the background too (msmsgs.exe in TaskManager), I have not yet been randomly logged in as I was very frequently when using the updated version.

    If I, during the next few weeks am not randomly logged in, then I´m prepared to recommend to NOT UPDATE Windows Messenger.
    I´m not aware of which security issue(s) the update should correct but if I can control the original version, then I concider the update itself a security issue.

    Thanks for Your time,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  2. 2004/02/24
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Well, so far no random logins ...... :p ...... but there is an explanation for that:

    I tried a voluntary login just now and Windows Messenger hadn´t been "activated ". I entered my hotmail addy and hit enter with a resulting popup window telling me that I had to install the latest version to be able to continue.

    Windows Messenger is about to kick my ass again but I´m not sure that I´ll allow it.

    A removal is, however, only a Ghost Image away ...... :rolleyes: ...... if I should decide to update and use it.

    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2004/02/24
    Christer,
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  4. 2004/02/24
    Zander

    Zander Geek Member Alumni

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    I still say you're trying to kill the wrong beast. Windows Messenger behaves just fine for me without Norton in the mix. I believe you also stated that it was no problem without Norton protecting it. Seems to me it's Norton that's starting Messenger, not Messenger starting itself. Get mad at the right thing and put a lid on it, then find something else to replace it and I bet you can have the best of both worlds. ;)
     
    Last edited: 2004/02/24
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  5. 2004/02/25
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Okey, I get the message ...... :D ...... !

    I´ll have to reread the previous thread but I remember it as disabling in Norton didn´t do the trick without the registry hacks.

    I´ll install the update and disable the protection for it in Norton AntiVirus.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2004/02/25
    Zander

    Zander Geek Member Alumni

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    Guess I'll maybe have to read the thread again too. I remembered it being that disabling the Norton protection did the trick and working with the registry entries was an attempt to be able to use the Norton protection without it always starting Messenger. Thus my little elbow jab. :) Guess I have some reading to do.
     
    Zander,
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  7. 2004/02/25
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Well, I can take a jab or two ...... ;) ...... and occasionally I need one!

    I´ve updated Windows Messenger to version 4.7.2009.

    All the apropriate boxes in Windows Messenger, Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook are unchecked.

    The protection in Norton AntiVirus for Instant Messaging is deselected.

    No registry hacks.

    So far so good but ...... :cool: ...... it´s only been twenty minutes!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2004/02/25
    Zander

    Zander Geek Member Alumni

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    Well, I hope it works for you. I'm guessing it will but you never know. For some reason every once in a while you'll find a system that for some reason or another it just doesn't want to behave as it should. That can be said for a lot of software though. Seems to be especially true with the instant messenging type programs though. I did read your other post again. Unless I missed something, it seems to me this worked for you before. I have to admit though, it was a long thread and I just sort of skimmed through it just trying to read your posts most of the way. Probably shouldn't do that as it's been the cause of egg on my face plenty of times in the past. :)
     
    Zander,
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  9. 2004/02/25
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    The nucleus of the other thread:
    I didn´t keep the protection in NAV disabled for very long, definitely not long enough to notice any difference in login behaviour.

    The protection is for downloaded/received files and as long as files aren´t downloaded/received, then I´ll keep the protection disabled.

    Last week, I installed a new harddrive and took the opportunity to roll back to pre-WM-update when ghosting it. Then I reinstalled the WM-update.
    So, technically it is not the same installation even though it should be identical.
     
    Christer,
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  10. 2004/04/07
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    It´s been over a month with no random logins and now it starts misbehaving again. The last few days I´ve been logged in ON A REGULAR BASIS despite having checked the appropriate boxes in Windows Messenger, Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook and in Norton AntiVirus. No registry hacks, though.

    The next time I have reason to restore a Ghost Image, afterwards I will not activate Windows Messenger but I doubt it will be the long term solution. The b*l*o*o*d*y thing will probably get me anyway.

    On a second thought, this IS a reason to restore ...... :mad: ...... !

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  11. 2004/04/07
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Well, it was I who made a mistake ...... :eek: ...... but I found another critical check box ...... ;) ...... !

    I had been playing around with some software that I didn´t want to keep and earlier this week, I got rid of it by restoring a Ghost Image.
    After that, I updated Norton and went to check out Windows Messenger. When I tried to log in, my .NET Passport was gone and I had to recreat it.
    I reflected a moment upon the check box that told to connect the account to the Windows User Account. It was checked by default and I let it remain checked. It was now that the random logins reoccurred.

    I did as I said in my previous post and restored using a Ghost Image but I gave Windows Messenger a last, final, end-of-the-line chance.

    I tried to log in and when recreating the account I UNCHECKED THE BOX to avoid connecting the account to the Windows User Account. Since then, I´ve restarted the computer and restarted Outlook Express several times and it is no longer logging me in randomly ...... :rolleyes: ...... at least until I make the next mistake ...... :eek: ...... I think!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  12. 2004/04/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    It´s back to normal ...... :rolleyes: ...... with random logins. All appropriate check boxes have been unchecked in Windows Messenger, Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, Norton AntiVirus and during setup of the .NET passport.

    (I noticed that TaskManager doesn´t list any users next to the processes anymore. There might be a connection but that´s a different thread in the XP forum.)

    This will be my last post on this subject, unless someone asks me to continue ...... :p ...... !

    Thanks for Your patience,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  13. 2004/04/13
    noahdfear

    noahdfear Inactive

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    By all means Christer, continue the updates! We're all interested in your struggle, and moreso in your triumph. :D
     
    noahdfear,
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  14. 2004/04/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    For a while, I thought that triumph was to be seen at the horizon but now it´s well below again.

    It seems like a lot of settings and "tweaks" affect WM but I have still to verify that disabling Terminal Services does. That service has to do with accounts and users and since WM is sensitive to that, there is a possibility.

    WM stays quiet again with Terminal Service re-enabled. I´ll leave it like that for a week or so and then disable the service again to see what happens.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  15. 2004/04/15
    mc21repsol

    mc21repsol Well-Known Member

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    Hi Christer,

    Out of curiosity, why do you want to keep Windows Messenger? Is it because of its integration with Outlook Express?

    First thing I do on a new install is remove Messaging Service and Windows Messenger, and then install the latest version of MSN Messenger.

    I find MSN Messenger is more friendly (i.e. easier to prevent from self-logging on) and a registry tweak can kill advertising if you want. The only thing is it doesn't show which contacts are online when using Outlook Express (which I too always leave open - isn't it about time M$ made it possible to minimise OE to the Notification Area? But that's another question!!!)

    Anyway, just a thought to let you know what I do to in case it helps.

    Cheers,

    Andy.
     
    mc21repsol,
    #14
  16. 2004/04/15
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi Andy,
    thanks for Your input!

    I want to keep WM because it comes with XP and I don´t want to download and install yet another application that may provide more trouble but since You say, it doesn´t, maybe I´ll reconcider. I am using Norton Ghost to image the system partition so, getting rid of MSN Messenger is done in a few minutes, over a cup of coffee.

    I believe that the integration with Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer is part of the trouble and it would work better if WM was stand alone. I have actually managed to tweak the registry to remove the integration with the three mentioned but then WM doesn´t work very well. The integration with OE provides the icon telling me when I get logged in. Without that integration I was logged in without knowing.

    I too have disabled the Messenger Service but I´m one step behind You on uninstalling WM and installing MSN Messenger.

    I don´t use WM very often and that´s why it bugs me. When/If I finally realize that I can´t control it, I just may follow Your advice!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  17. 2004/04/19
    mikewanca

    mikewanca Banned

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    I am a new WinXP pro user and I was also having problems with Windows Messenger. I was able to keep it from starting when Windows starts using the options within Norton Antivirus 2004 and Windows Messenger but it was still starting whenever I opened Outlook Express, even though I had UNnchecked the option in OE Tools to "Automatically log on to Windows Messenger ".

    What finally did the trick was something I found with a groups.google search, to UNcheck the "Contacts" checkbox in Outlook Express, View, Layout.

    Here is a copy of the NGpost I saved:

    From: Jim Johnson
    Subject: Re: Cannot stop Windows Messenger from automatically logging in!
    Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger
    Date: 2003-07-13 00:25:27 PST

    I think if you go into the options - layout and check to not have the
    contact pane displayed, that will keep messenger from loading when you have
    the do not run option checked etc. I think it loads anyway if you have the
    contact paned displayed - I think I saw this in another group that I read.
    Hope it works
     
    mikewanca,
    #16
  18. 2004/04/19
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi mikewanca and welcome to the Windows BBS!

    Thanks for Your input but if my memory serves me correctly, that one is on my "have tried, didn´t work" list. It seems like different systems behave in different ways in this respect. Well, different systems behave in different ways in a lot of respects.

    Since I got rid of the .NET Passport and have to log in manually when using Windows Messenger, I have not been "randomly logged in ". So, for now I´m happy, especially since I am still "remembered" when I go to Hotmail. I check Hotmail every other day but use Windows Messenger only every other month.

    If it still behaves in a few days, I´ll reenable the Norton Protection to see what happens.

    My hopes are a bit higher now, that this never-ending-topic will finally find a solution.

    Christer

    Edited:

    I forgot to mention that this topic has gotten out of hand and is discussed in more than one thread, see TaskManager - User listing which is the most recent "derailing ".
     
    Last edited: 2004/04/19
    Christer,
    #17
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