Browser Problem

[thorlo6]

Hey Guys, I'm having a major problem here!! First info:
I'm running Windows 98SE on an HP PC,with MSN8 ISP software, Intel Celeron CPU @ 500MHz, rest of my hardware is listed below. I also have McAfee online virus protection and Firewall plus. I have just recently removed Real Player,and I also have WMP v.9. The Problem: my MSN8 browser keeps popping up and no matter what I try to do to shut it down, it keeps right on coming back up. Just so I can do something else
I have to minimize it, and stop fighting with it. any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. One more thing, I was going to try using Spybot S&D and Ad Aware, but my wife made such a big deal about it, I haven't downloaded them yet.
thanks Thorlo6

[GaryRouth]

Spybot's Search & Destroy, and Lavasoft's AdAware are both reputable programs well-regarded in the industry. You have no worries there should you decide to try them.

When you say the MSN8 screen keeps popping up, what exactly do you see? Do you see a little "updates available" message? (down near the system tray?) Do you see a full-window webpage (if so, always the same? which page?) Or do you see an IntantMessage program screen?

It might simply be that automatic updates are enabled, and there are some available. Depending on whose updates they are, you can take steps to change that behavior. [If it's Windows itself that wants updating, you can uninstall "Automatic Update" from Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel = (Start/ Settings/ Control Panel/ Add/Remove Programs) If it's an individual program, you can usually find options and preference settings that allow such updating to be controlled manually.

. . . Gary

[thorlo6]

Since I only have dial-up service the window I am referring to is my sign on window. The one that starts my modem to dialing into the MSN service. This is not an update window of any kind. If you need further info, let me know. Sorry I took so long to reply. I was having trouble with my hot water heater leaking all over the kitchen, plus some other problems toolong to explain at this point in time. Later, thorlo6

[Tribble]

Ok, now I am confusedm your topic says browser, then you say it is the window that dials out to your ISP.

If it is the latter I would uninstall the program they (Your ISP) gave you and manualy create a network connection (Start/settings/control pannel/Network connections).
Then all you have to do is tell it what modem you are using and input your ISP dial-up number, create a shortcut on your quick launch bar for conveniance and you're set

[GaryRouth]

Sorry to hear about your water heater & all --> I actually had similiar fun and replaced mine at the start of summer. Ugh.

Just out of curiousity, when the dial-up window pops up, does it start dialing? Or just sit there?

If it tries to dial, then it is being asked to do so by a program, and your troubleshooting will be to find out which one is asking for the connection. You can hunt around in the options and preference menus for your MSN software, your Media Players, check out your Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel just to see if you do have Automatic Update installed for Windows [sometimes it arrives in a Service Pack], also check your Instant Messaging software. AntiVirus programs can also be set to connect for virus definition updates. It could be more than one program asking for a connection.

Tribble's idea about creating your own Dial-Up Networking "connectoid" and bypassing the MSN software might work - though it's possible the programs requesting connections will simply call up that connectoid, if it is set as the default connection in IE.

You can also call the MSN folks. You pay a fair premium for their service, and they should know their software's behavior pretty well. It's not impossible that there may be a version-specific bug in one of their browser packages.

Can't hurt to try the Spybot & LavaSoft programs, just in case your system has unwanted hangers-on.

Best of luck
. . . Gary