msn users sign on

I just got a new PC custom made by my step-son. Pentium 4 2.80 Ghz, 512 mb RAM,40 GB haerd drive, CD burner, DVD/CD ROM drive. Windows XP Pro.

Got one problem driving me nuts and had it solved on old machine but can't remember the route in its entirety.

I've eliminated every reference I can find to MSN Messenger and/or Messenger. In spite of this 4-5 times each hour I get a popup or rather slide in window with title bar of "www.msn users.com" asking if I want to sign on to .NET Passport.
I've never even registered to anything on MSN.

I've done as thorough search as I know how for this pest and do not even see anything I recognize in the Registry although I'm not at all keen on doing a registry edit.

Anyo one of you pros out there had a similar problem and a solution?

 

Go to control panel>user accounts>yourusername>manage network passwords from the left pane. If passport.net is listed, highlight and remove.

 

Thanks noahdfear, but not there to delete.

 

Did you look back at this?

 

Or here?

 

None of this ever really resolved the problem. Just slowed down the frequency of the irritation. That was with another PC running XP Home, I have XP Pro now though what difference that should make I have no clue.

I just do not understand why this doesn't show up in any kind of search.

 

My best guess here is that MSN Explorer (kind of like Internet Explorer), which gets installed by default and also uses .net passport, and/or 1 or more services is what keeps causing these prompts. First, get StartupList, generate a log and post it. Then we'll deal with the services.

 

Here is the log generated by "StartupList" -

StartupList report, 4/21/2004, 9:13:46 AM
StartupList version: 1.52
Started from : C:\Documents and Settings\****\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 2 for startuplist1521[1].zip\StartupList.EXE
Detected: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\CPal\CPBrWtch.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~2\PSFREE.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\cisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpohmr08.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper Home Edition\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\pctspk.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZONELABS\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpoevm08.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Bin\hpoSTS08.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\CPal\CPal.exe
C:\Program Files\MailWasher Pro\MailWasher.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\netdde.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\clipsrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\cidaemon.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\****\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 2 for startuplist1521[1].zip\StartupList.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\****\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE

Shell folders Common Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
hpoddt01.exe.lnk = ?
hp psc 1000 series.lnk = ?

--------------------------------------------------

Checking Windows NT UserInit:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
UserInit = C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Smapp = C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
ATIPTA = C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
AVG7_CC = C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
Cookie Pal = "C:\Program Files\CPal\CPBrWtch.exe "
Zone Labs Client = C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

PopUpStopperFreeEdition = "C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~2\PSFREE.EXE "

--------------------------------------------------

Shell & screensaver key from C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI:

Shell=*INI section not found*
SCRNSAVE.EXE=*INI section not found*
drivers=*INI section not found*

Shell & screensaver key from Registry:

Shell=Explorer.exe
SCRNSAVE.EXE=C:\WINDOWS\System32\ssstars.scr
drivers=*Registry value not found*

Policies Shell key:

HKCU\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry key not found*
HKLM\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry value not found*

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Browser Helper Objects:

(no name) - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3}
CCHelper - C:\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Companion\CCHelper.dll - {0CF0B8EE-6596-11D5-A98E-0003470BB48E}

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

FRU Task #Hewlett-Packard#hp psc 1200 series#1082218576.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[PCPitstop Utility]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\PCPITS~1.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB

[iCC Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\pcpConnCheck.dll
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/pcpConnCheck.cab

[Update Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\System32\iuctl.dll
CODEBASE = http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?38084.7538078704

[Shockwave Flash Object]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\System32\macromed\flash\Flash.ocx
CODEBASE = http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

[AV Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\PROGRA~1\PCPITS~1\AV\Pav.dll
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/antivirus/PitPav.cab

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items:

PostBootReminder: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
CDBurn: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
WebCheck: C:\WINDOWS\System32\webcheck.dll
SysTray: C:\WINDOWS\System32\stobject.dll

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 6,101 bytes
Report generated in 0.031 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/full - to include several rarely-important sections
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only

 

I just use Mike Lin's Startup Control and uncheck it from starting up!

 

Where do I find Mike Lin's Startup Control?

 

RickyD2,

You could use Mike Lins SCPL but I don't believe it will help with this. There's nothing in your startup list that suggests it's being started there. My suggestion is to visit Black Vipers Site and go thru his list of adjusting services. It will also help your startup time. Configuring to his 'safe' settings is recommended, with the exception of automatic updates. I don't use that or recommend it. Another way to reconfigure services is to set all automatics to manual, reboot and do your normal computer use for say 30 min, go back and see what services have started and set them to automatic (thank you Ann). Did you go back thru your other posts and redo what had been done before to stop this .net passport problem?

 

yes, noahdfear. I did and so far nothing has stopped the sucker.

 

Another possibility. Outlook Express uses Windows Messenger by default and could be trying to sign on. From OE help;

From what I've read I think that you disabled Messenger Service from services.msc, but did you uninstall Windows Messenger? See this thread. And you wouldn't have MSN Messenger unless you downloaded it.

 

Just so there is no more confusion that there already seems to be, the popup balloon has title bar reading www.msnusers.com.

Now, I suspect this is relative to MSN Messenger, not Windows
messenger. I have found that I can apparently disable it by disabling "clpbrd" which I would really prefer not to do if there is any other alternative.

It doesn't appear in Mike Lin's Startup Control. I had MSN (the butterfly guy) in Start>Programs and deleted that. There is nothing in Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Does this make identification any easier?

 

MSN Explorer! Add/remove windows components.

 

That's the first place I looked.

 

RickyD2,

I had a similar problem that I posted elsewhere this morning. I've C&P'd my question and the reply that finally helped. I wasn't getting the passport thing but everytime someone would sign on I'd get that popup that told me so. What's so aggravating about it is that I don't even use MSN Messenger, my son does. MSN Messenger wasn't even opened. The last couple of days it's been doing that. The reply was a registry tweak which apparently fixed it. You may want to wait on someone with more knowledge to tell you if this is okay to do but it worked for me and so far I don't think my computer is on it's way to crashing. The problem is at the bottom, the solution right below here...

C&P...

ok you can try this, go into regedit (make backups first!!)

select hkey_localmachine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run, then
remove any references to msmessanger, easiest thing to do is google on any
file name you are not sure of.

you can also go to
hkey_currentuser\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run and check
there as well.

You might also want to check the runservices entry in each hive as well.

I'll have to check for more XP specific issues when I get home.



> > > Aaron uses MSN Messenger 6.1. For the last two days while I'm online
( I
> > > don't use MSN) I've gotten these little popups telling me when someone
> > signs
> > > in. I've taken MSN from the taskbar but these popups are still
> appearing.
> > I
> > > asked him about it last night and his reply was it was because he had
it
> > set
> > > "always on top ". He changed that. Today I'm still getting them. Where
in
> > MSN
> > > do I change it so that I don't get these irritating little messages
> while
> > > I'm online? Thanks. Oh, and why do they appear when MSN's icon isn't
> even
> > in
> > > the taskbar?
> > >
> > > Debbie

 

Thank you Debbie for the response, however I suspect we each have a different problem. I have no one else sharing my PC.

 

Just want to make sure we're on the same page. I pointed you to add/remove windows components, not add/remove programs. And you're looking for MSN Explorer, with the butterfly icon. Did you download and install MSN Messenger? I ask because you have made reference to it. It is not on an XP installation, and unless you downloaded it, is not part of the equation here. MSN Explorer is bundled and gets installed whether you want it to or not, as is Windows Messenger.

 

No, noahdfear, I'm afraid we were niot on the same page. I just wasn't "getting" the windows components message. I just went there and there was MSN Explorer and Messenger. I have not deleted them both.

I did not do the original setup on my PC, that was done by my step-son, who's company people built my machine and set it up for me.

I hope that now, maybe, the pest will be gone.

I certainly want to thank you for your patience and understanding. At 75 my grasping skills have diminished somewhat.