XP & Windows Messenger Query

[Bird Strike]

Question 1.

Is there any way of not letting 'Contacts" of Windows Messenger installed on Windows XP invade into Outlook Express?

Also is there any way of NOT letting Windows Messenger start when I start Outlook Express?

Question 2.

I'd like to get Windows Messenger to ask for password every time I start it. How do I do that?

Question 3.

If Question 1 and 2 are not possible, what's the best alternative to Windows (or MSN) Messenger?

Question 4

Failing all above, I have tried to remove the offending Windows Messenger from my system by using Add/Remove Program Windows Component whatever from Control Panel. It's still here though! How do I remove this offending material fully from my system?

The machine is Sony Vaio PCG-GRX3P.

Thanks for your help!

[amanoffewwords]

1.

Part A re contacts, don't know

Part B should be tools --> Options --> uncheck box "Automatically log on to Messenger". But it doesn't work on my machine (win 2k) so don't know if there is a bug somewhere there. :eek:

2. Tools --> Options--> Accounts - delete password and ok out of dialog box.

3. A telephone :D

HTH
amofw

[shack]

Question 4

You cannot---Mr Gates won't let you!!!

[Bird Strike]

Guys,

I have found the solution to Question 4 in MS Knowledge Base or whatever they call it. It doesn't seem to remove it but it disables it. Thank goodness it doesn't try to automatically start every time I start OE now. HOWEVER now it takes ages for Outlook Express to start. I am presuming it is looking to start Windows Messenger, and the system doesn't let it, so it's sulking. Any way of fixing this?

[What_does_this_button_do?]

If you download SP1 for Win XP then you can detatch.

Start
Windows Update


B

[Spitoon]

An alternative is AOL Instant Messenger. It's very similar and, if I'm not mistaken, was there before the MS clone. Don't think you need to subscribe to AOL either - ran it for a while myself, seemed to work OK.

[flybhx]

I have seen one or two programs about which will allow you to instant message any of these prgrams such as icq, aol etc from the one system

[Bird Strike]

What_does_this_button_do?

Thanks for the info. Yep this XP has SP1. Is disabling it as per Knowledge Base instruction the only way, or can I completely get rid of it? It has now been banished from OE but IE is still showing Messenger in Tools menu.

Spitoon

AOL annoyed me in the past by snail mail spam, so AIM is out, but anyone with experience of Yahoo Messenger? What is it like, and is there any security hole in the latest version?

[Background Noise]

You can get rid of MSN Messenger from the add/remove components option but it is normally hidden from add/remove list.

This explains how it is done:

http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/37257.html

and:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1010069240

The same method can be used for other hidden components.

Post SP1 you will get an error message on first log on but it can be ignored:

http://www.ostweaks.com/temp/windowsxp_service_pack1_known_issues.html#_Toc17884031

There are other methods discussed here:

http://www.jsifaq.com/SUBL/tip5700/rh5714.htm


(I used the sysoc.inf method and its great - no mention or pop-up of MSN anywhere)