msn messenger

[mohamed adeni]

Hi
Could you please tell me what this error message means:"MSMSGS.EXE has generated errors and will be closed by windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created."

I don't use msn messenger option nor AIM option in my sys. I keep getting this error message any time I turn it on. Thanks in advance.

[Steve]

Hi mohamed,

Seeing that you don't use msn messenger, you might try shutting it off. In Outlook Express go to TOOLS > WINDOWS MESSENGER > OPTIONS > PREFRENCES and in the general area uncheck both "Run this program when windows starts" and "Allow this program to run in the background".

That should turn it off and you probably wont have any more problems.

Hope it helps...:)

[mjc]

What OS version are you running?

Where is msmsgs.exe located?

Do a search for it and post the location where it is found.

[mohamed adeni]

Thank you both. I am sorry I should have posted my specs. OS is w2k professional, PIII-833, 393MB RAM, 20GB HD. After I go home I will ckeck on as you suggested.:cool:

[Steve]

If you go to THIS (http://members.aol.com/axcel216/xp1.htm#SMM) link and scroll down to "STOP MSN MESSENGER", you should find more than you ever wanted to know about stopping it.

Hope it helps...:)

[mohamed adeni]

Thanks Steve ;) I printed just now the site you recommanded which has instructions for lot other things too. I will go thru that. Thanks again.:D Have a good week end.

[mohamed adeni]

Hi mjc - here I am with an answer - msmsgs.exe is located in
c:\program files\messenger

Hi steve - I don't use outlook express for my emails. I use
hotmail. Is that was the reason why I don't see TOOLS > WINDOWS MESSENGER > OPTIONS > PREFRENCES in outlook express???? Honestly
I never edit Registry file in my life so I am sort of scare to
touch it. I printed the details from the site you mention but ....:eek: I might make things worse.:D

[Steve]

Hi Mohamed,

I'm as confused by my first post as you, probably more. :eek: I got that info from THIS (http://www.petri.co.il/disable_msn_messenger.htm) site. Usually very helpful but his suggestion doesn't work on my machine either. I should have checked it before I posted. :o

I don't blame you for being shy about editing the registry. It sounded like mjc has some info on this, if he stops back. If I'm not mistaken msn messenger starts up whenever you startup OE or hotmail. Somehow you need to disable this "feature".

Stopping it from starting in msconfig might do the trick, IF you have added it to your computer. You can get it HERE (http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Msconfig.htm) if you're interested. After it is installed to can open the program, go to startup and de-select the option for msn messenger. Then there might be a way to stop it from starting in the hotmail preferences.

I don't know if any of this has been helpful but I hope so...:)

[mjc]

Good it is where it is supposed to be, there is a trojan that uses the same name, but places the exe in the either the windows folder or the windows\system folder.

[Budfred]

I am pretty sure you can disable it in msconfig, but I think you can also remove/disable it in Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows Setup. Look at the options they provide and unselect MSN Messenger, then click on OK. It is under the Communications options.

Budfred

[mohamed adeni]

I could not get into msconfig. I kept wondering why it was not there in w2k, none of my HDs have it. But thanks to steve, (you did it again ;)) I downloaded from the site for w2k, there it was. Well now the problem is still I could not stop the pop up. I did uncheck from startup programs, from msconfig etc. Another things I should have mention too - now and them this message popup too: from symantec:Norton antivirus was unable to start the instant messenger scanner. It will be unable to scan instant messenger downloands for infections. click here to goto symantec tech supp knowledge base. Is this has any things to do with the first pop up?? I did use spyboot to check for trojans, none seen. Please let me know what else I should do. Thanks.

[mjc]

Msconfig is not included in Win2k (figure that one out and you can solve most psych problems), so you will need some other startup management tool.

[Steve]

hmmm... mjc, even though msconfig is not included in w2k, the link I provided has a very easy download which Mohamed has installed. And I'm sure he will use it to it's full advantage.

The Norton message can probably be handled within Norton. Get into the Norton preferences or options and shut off the option to scan instant messages.

On my own w2k machine I did the down and dirty. I just went in and deleted the program folder. I wouldn't recommend that. I have heard it can cause a lot of problems.

Sooo...I guess I'm stuck. Without editing the registry, the only thing I can think of is maybe rename the msmsgr.exe file. Maybe even rename the whole msn messenger folder.

I don't know. It might be worth a try. :)

[mjc]

Renaming the exe used to work, and probably still will.

[mohamed adeni]

mjc - you are the BEST. I did renamed the file and it worked.
steve - you are the BEST too;) . I fixed in Norton program and no more popups.

Once again thank you and I have no regreats to be part of this forum.:D

[Steve]

Congratulations Mohamed, glad to here it. :)

[mohamed adeni]

Thanks to you guys.:cool: