Re: Microsoft Windows Messenger

From: Sam (g_reate_xcalibur_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 02/02/05 

Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 10:28:52 -0500

Apparently, _Bednortan_, on 02/02/05 06:51,typed:
> I use a Philips Toucam11 webcam to keep in touch with my family in Canada.
> About 2 Months ago it suddenly stopped working. I took it back to the shop
> and they said I had downloaded something that was causing a conflict with my
> webcam. I am not computer aware but know I had only downloaded Windows
> Updates. Anyway I eventually gave up and re-installed Windows XP SP1 on my
> computer. My webcam worked fine again. Being very wary of windows updates I
> checked the webcam before and after doing all windows updates with no prob,
> but, then I was getting Windows Messenger pop-ups telling me I had to update.
> I kept saying no but it popped up just as I was about to press the enter
> button on my keyboard and hey presto after the download my webcam won't work
> again.
> Can anyone help me? I really don't want to re-install xp again if it can be
> avoided I just want my webcam to work.
>

I believ the problem was that your Windows Messenger Service (different
than MSN client) was still ON. Here is how you switch it off:
http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/messagepopup/

Next you clean your computer (probably will have to reinstall again:
this will make sure you are clean):
1) Before installing anything, download and save SP2. My experience has
shown sometimes installing SP2 alone gives problems. You are better of
downloading SP1 as well.

2) Download and save:
ZoneAlarm Free version:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=nav_za

3) download and save Spybot Search and Destroy (Free):
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

4) Download and save Ad-aware Personal(free too):
http://www.lavasoft.com/

5) Save all of the above separately, you will need these to install them
after you reinstall your system. Probably write to a CD.

6) Reinstall your OS *without* any connection to the internet. And for
the next few steps, do NOT reconnect it to the internet.

7) Install SP2 (or first SP1 and then SP2).

8) Install ZoneAlarm, Spybot and Ad-aware. Make sure you immunize your
system using Spybot and ad-awere. Install any antivirus that you have.
If not, then search for AVG antivirus which is free.

9) Connect to the internet.

10) Download and install Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird (both
free and both much more secure than Internet Explorer):
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

 From this step onwards, do NOT use IE at all except for updating your
MS Windows. Actually, stop using IE as a practice, use only Firebird
(my fav.) or safari or opera or something like if you wish. Just stay
clear of IE or any browser that is made usign IE as the base.

11) Install your messenger clients and enjoy safer computing.

GL,
Sam. 

-- 
Please remove the underscores ( the '_' symbols) from my email address 
to obtain the correct one. Apologies, but the fudging is to remove spam.