Display name not saving

[Sx9]

Hello,

I recently got an add request on MSN Messenger that was from a (What I assume was a spam e-mail and add) and ever since then, my display name will not save. (I didn't accept the add, by the way. I hit block and not show on contact list) It reverts to my e-mail address where the name will be: Example "JohnDoe@email.com says..." instead of "John Doe says...." I have went in and changed my display name and hit just "okay" and it worked. Then I signed back on (and every since then, it reverts back to e-mail every time) and it went back to e-mail address for name. So I changed it again, and changed another setting, and hit "Apply" and then "Okay" I signed back out and on and it's back at e-mail as name again. Also, ever since it happened, some of my contact list has their display names as e-mails as well, then some have the names they chose.

Any idea why my name isn't saving? It only started since the spam e-mail add.

[patndoris]

On the main WLM menu, go to Tools / Options / Security and be sure the box for "this is a shared computer" is NOT checked.

[Sx9]

Thanks for the quick reply, but it's not checked.

[patndoris]

This could simply be a server side issue and may have nothing to do with your machine. If it's only been going on for a day or so, I'd give it a few more days before trying anything drastic.

But, if the symptoms appeared immediately after blocking what looked like a legitimate add request, it's possible it wasn't an add request at all. It may have been malware designed to look like a real request. I haven't heard of this lately, but it is theoretically possible. Just blocking an add request should not cause the behavior you are describing.

Can you tell me if you've run a scan for malware recently? If not, here is what I'd suggest:

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.

• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
  
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected .
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Please save it to a convenient location in case you need it, but it is NOT necessary to post it back in this forum.
• Note: If you receive a notice that some of the items couldn't be removed, that they have been added to the delete on reboot list, please reboot.

Even if this does not resolve the problem, it will eliminate one possibility (and give a little peace of mind on a possibly cleaner machine).

Let me know how long the problem been going on and/or if MBAM helps to resolve the issue. If you could also verify your WLM version and which operating system you are using it would be helpful.

[Sx9]

I have Windows 98. MSN Messenger 7.0 (build 7.0.0820)

I never accepted the friend request. It's in my personal block list in settings. So it wasn't added.

It popped up when I loaded MSN, I stepped out and when I returned, I clicked on block and don't add, and that's when the problem started.

[patndoris]

By any chance did this happen about 2 weeks ago? Around November 5th or so? There was a forced upgrade for most users (although Windows 98 is not supported for the current version). As MSN Messenger 7.0 was a beta version released in 2005, I'm surprised it even still works at all, without hacking it.

I believe that this is a server side issue where display names are no longer supported in much older versions. I know that Windows Messenger does not display them and it stands to reason the same applies to versions of MSN Messenger that would no longer be expected to be running.

I'm afraid on a version that old and a Windows 98 machine, I don't have a lot of advice. I think you will be stuck with the display the way it is now.

[Sx9]

Hey,

The problems started about 2 days ago. Not before. I have had suggestions on the chat box (Where they have the advertisements) that recommends upgrading to MSN 8.5, but never a pop up forcing me to.

It didn't start happening until the add request, so made it seem coincidence to be a glitch.

I never had a problem with this version of MSN before and had it for awhile.

[patndoris]

It could just be a server side issue and it may resolve on it's own. Like I said - just denying a regular request for Add should not make anything go amiss.

You might give it a few days and see if it comes right. If you haven't been forced to upgrade and you are happy with the version you have then I say leave it alone. As long as it works that's fantastic!!

If you upgrade to 8.5 you may not be able to get the old version functioning again if for some reason it doesn't play well. I'm not sure I'd mess with it just yet.

[Sx9]

Thanks for the help. I was just wondering if it was a virus or something from the timing of it. I guess I'll try to wait it out.

[patndoris]

Did you run Malwarebytes as per the previous post? If it came up clean, you are likely ok on that front - but you should run an scan with your anti-virus protection if you still have any concerns. If you want another spyware scan you can use this program which is also free.

Download and install SUPERAntiSpyware Home Edition (free edition)

• Load SUPERAntiSpyware and click the Check for Updates button.
• Once the update has finished, exit SUPERAntiSpyware. Please do NOT run a scan yet
  !

IMPORTANT: Do NOT open any other windows or programs while SUPERAntiSpyware is scanning, it may interfere with the scanning process.

• Open SUPERAntiSpyware and click the Scan your Computer button.
• Check Perform Complete Scan and then click Next.
• SUPERAntiSpyware will now scan your computer and when it’s finished it will list all the infections it has found.
• Make sure that they all have a check next to them, and then click Next.
• Click Finish and you will be taken back to the main interface.
• It could be possible that it will ask you to reboot your computer in order to delete some files after reboot.

MBAM and SAS are two of the really good free on-demand scanning/cleaning tools out there. It's always possible there is a nasty lurking, and if you are concerned, you can head over to What the Tech or Geeks to Go and follow the forum instructions to post and have someone look at your logs to double check.