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Win XP Pro newbie: Messenger popups and Vid Card driver probs

M

MadEye2

Senior member
I've just installed Windows XP Pro and I'm getting a copy of SP1 from my brother in law soon.

First problem is when I run either the built in version of Messenger or the 9x build of messenger under XP I get frequent dialogue box popups with links to dodgy looking "messenger fix" sites. All the boxes talk about flaws in MSN Messenger allowing spammers to get in. Anyone know how to stop these, please?

Secondly, I'm trying to use the Asus enhanced drivers instead of the generic nVidia ones, but they're not appearing in the list when I choose "show all drivers" - Just the range of nVidia ones. How do I fix this. Will I have to scrub all the nVidia drivers from my system or is there a simpler way?

Thanks
 
Yipes. :Q Dude, as a get-me-by measure, start by enabling the WinXP Internet Connection Firewall (search WinXP Help if you need help with that).

Next, right-click My Computer, choose Manage, and go down the console to Local Users & Groups. Go into the Users folder and right-click each user, and give each account a strong password that's non-dictionary and contains a symbol, such as explo1tth1s!.

Next, prior to installing Service Pack 2, check your system for spyware and adware using these resources:

and go out and get yourself some good antivirus software. McAfee VirusScan 9.0 or Norton Antivirus 2005 are a couple that detect some spyware and adware in addition to actual viruses. Thoroughly configure the software, enable all optional detection capabilities, update it, and run a scan.

After the system is known to be clean of malware, install Service Pack 2 (that's the full installer file there) and Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. Run MBSA and see if you have some more work to do.

If you have broadband, I would also advise getting a broadband router to provide a perimeter firewall: Netgear RP614, $30 after MIR. 🙂
 
I thought I replied to this asking if Zonealarm will stop the spam getting in through messenger. I guess it didn't accept it.

Thanks. I have Adaware and Zonealarm already set up on the 98 system. I'm going to install them on XP in a moment. I can't download SP2 being the dialup monkey that I am - I'm 100 meters too far from the exchange from being able to get broadband.
I'll try enabling the XP firewall too, see what that's like, but frankly I'm just going to use the net on the 98 setup - thank God I bothered to set up a dual boot system.

My current problem, aside from the above, is that now I've installed the SBlive! drivers for XP the machine hangs - and it takes a fair few minutes for the SBlive! related system tray icons to appear. I don't think I can get back in to XP properly to uninstall them. How do I access safe mode on XP?

Thanks for the info
 
Ohm theres something else too. I have a second hard disk that's for anything that isn't system related - programs, backups, music etc. Do Win 98 and Win XP have any problems sharing this drive? I ask because I was trying to delete something and 98 gave a message saying "cannot delete info file" or something like that, can't say I was paying attention. I also got another message saying the recycle bin wasn't functioning/accessable, again, wasn't looking - I'm too stressed to pay attention! lol
 
To access Safe Mode, begin tapping the F8 key as your motherboard is just finishing its last POST screen and you know the WinXP scrollie screen is coming next.

ZoneAlarm is a fine substitute for the WinXP ICF, keep on with that. 🙂 Can you mooch a friend's high-speed connection to download the SP2 installer, or maybe persuade your IT guy at work to get it and burn it to CD for you?
 
Hey! At least one thing is the same - the F8 key bashing! Unfortunately I don't know anyone round here who has broadband - blame British Telecom - they held back broadband by about 5 years, though, apparently, 90% of the country is supposed to be able to get it by now (lies, damn lies and statistics, probably). I don't work in an office either, so I have got no IT bloke to pester.

I'm just downloading the most recent SBlive drivers, it's going to take an hour and a half though. Hopefully now I have a dual boot set up I can use my APS Live drivers on 98 and make full use of the card in tracking programs, and use true EAX mode on XP with the official drivers and make use of the latest nVidia and -possibly- Asus drivers. Failing all this I'm going to scrub the drive and install Amiga OS 1.3 or something :/
 
You can order SP2 on CD from here and as far as I know, it's free, including shipping 😎 Mine arrived in about three business days, and hopefully they have a distribution centre in the UK to make it equally fast for you. 🙂
 
Thanks. Will they ask you for your product key? - Because I'm using XP Pro somewhat less than legally.

Ah, yeah, thanks MrChad - I think PCWorld and Dixons will have copies of this.
 
Originally posted by: MadEye2
Thanks. Will they ask you for your product key? - Because I'm using XP Pro somewhat less than legally.
Click to expand...
Whoa. 'fraid I can't help any further with this project.

 
Ah, that's understandable, mechBgon. Sorry if I misled you or anything. If it helps my standing here on these boards, it's the only illegal software I have, if you don't count winrar which I haven't registered.
 
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