Yahoo messenger install wizard has taken over

[scdgoofy]

I apologize in advance about the length of this post.

I currently have Yahoo Messenger installed on my wife's laptop (Win XP Home). However, every time the computer is restarted, the installation wizard screen of Messenger comes up. Clicking the "cancel" button will exit the program, but it still comes back every time. Clicking the "next" button causes installation to begin and it re-installs correctly. (But, to be clear, this program is already installed on the computer when the install wizard pops up.)

Being tired of having this install wizard pop up all the time, I went to Control Panel to "add remove programs" with the intent of permanently uninstalling it. However, to my dismay, clicking on add/remove also caused the wizard to pop up. I started trying other icons in the control panel and found that about half of them caused the install wizard to pop up (including "display", "system" and my logitech camera controls). Once the install wizard comes up and I cancel out of it (or complete the install), I am still unable to open any of these essential functions on the computer because it pops up again. Yahoo Messenger install wizard has essentially taken over my computer.

Here's what I've done to try to fix this so far, all to no avail:

-uninstall Messenger from the "Program Files/Yahoo/Messenger/UNWISE" program - no luck and no luck after a clean install
-manually delete the entire Messenger and/or Yahoo folders - no luck and no luck after a clean install
-reboot in safe mode - still pops up
-uninstall and reinstall in safe mode
-use task manager to close all background programs and uninstall and reinstall
-uninstall and reinstall with Norton anti-virus turned off

One thing I did notice was that when the task manager was open and the install wizard pop up, a temp file showed open. In one instance, the temp file was "glb14.tmp-0596A862.pf" located in the C:Windows/Prefetch folder. But, it is generally a different .tmp file name every time it opens. I deleted all the temp files from the prefetch folder, but no luck.

Yahoo help is uterly useless, telling me in their most recent "help" response that "We believe that the problem you were experiencing was a transient one that shouldn't persist." Righto and the problem is not past tense!

I'd be eternally grateful if anybody could offer any assistance.

Thanks... -goof

(Internet connection is DSL through Linksys wireless router and I'm using Internet Explorer 6.0.)

[Oreo]

You have tried a lot...have you tried a straight trojan scan or anything like that? It just seems very strange...also, you mention XP, did you update to SP2 during all of this? Could that be the problem? The only thing left that you haven't done is reformat the hard drive...and I'm sure you don't want to do that. If you installed XP SP2 when this happened..you may want to try to get rid of SP2 and see what happens...

[f0rbez]

Do this. Go here and download StartupList. Run it and then post the results here so we can see whats starting up on your system and how to disable it.

[scdgoofy]

Another poster on another forum suggested this:

"You need to find out the name of the *.msi file that is used to install yahoo messenger. Once you find this out, then run regedit, search for the *.msi file used to install it, and delete the references to it. Then reinstall messenger once more. This will fix the registry settings and allow you to add/remove it like it was supposed to.

Be careful editing the registry, create a backup of the registry before starting in case something goes wrong.

You may be able to find out the filename of the *.msi file by doing a registry search for yahoo and noting the values, or the *.msi file may be in the yahoo messenger folder."

I've poked around my computer (not the wife's troubled computer) and can't find any .msi files anywhere. Anybody think this is the right approach?

oreo - Still on SP1 and I'm a regular Ad-Aware user. And you're right, I really don't want to reformat!

f0rbez - I'll download your suggestion and post the startup file when I get home tonight.

Thanks... -goof

[scdgoofy]

Okay, here is my startup log:

StartupList report, 11/3/2004, 8:03:52 PM
StartupList version: 1.52
Started from : C:\Documents and Settings\Mich\Desktop\StartupList.EXE
Detected: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPConfig.exe
C:\Program Files\HPQ\Notebook Utilities\HPWirelessMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\carpserv.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\HPQ\One-Touch\OneTouch.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver\LVCOMS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\LogiTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BackWeb-8876480.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpobnz08.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hposol08.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpoevm08.exe
C:\Program Files\Palm\HOTSYNC.EXE
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Bin\hpoSTS08.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Mich\Desktop\StartupList.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\Mich\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
HotSync Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Palm\HOTSYNC.EXE

Shell folders Common Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
Billminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\Quicken\billmind.exe
hp psc 2000 Series.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpobnz08.exe
Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
officejet 6100.lnk = ?
Quicken Scheduled Updates.lnk = C:\Program Files\Quicken\bagent.exe
Quicken Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Quicken\QWDLLS.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Checking Windows NT UserInit:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
UserInit = C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

ATIModeChange = Ati2mdxx.exe
CARPService = carpserv.exe
Cpqset = C:\Program Files\HPQ\Default Settings\cpqset.exe
ATIPTA = C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
PreloadApp = c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\hphprld.exe c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\setup.exe -d
AutoTBar = C:\hp\bin\autotbar.exe
srmclean = C:\Cpqs\Scom\srmclean.exe
MMTray = C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
TV Now = C:\Program Files\HPQ\Notebook Utilities\TvNow.exe /RK
Display Settings = C:\Program Files\HPQ\Notebook Utilities\hptasks.exe /s
QT4HPOT = C:\Program Files\HPQ\One-Touch\OneTouch.EXE
SynTPLpr = C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
SynTPEnh = C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
ccApp = "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
ccRegVfy = "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
AdaptecDirectCD = "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
Logitech Utility = Logi_MwX.Exe
Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
LVCOMS = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver\LVCOMS.EXE
LogitechGalleryRepair = C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\ISStart.exe
LogitechImageStudioTray = C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\LogiTray.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

MSMSGS = "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
LDM = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BackWeb-8876480.exe
WebCamRT.exe =
Yahoo! Pager = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet

--------------------------------------------------

Shell & screensaver key from C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI:

Shell=*INI section not found*
SCRNSAVE.EXE=*INI section not found*
drivers=*INI section not found*

Shell & screensaver key from Registry:

Shell=Explorer.exe
SCRNSAVE.EXE=C:\WINDOWS\System32\logon.scr
drivers=*Registry value not found*

Policies Shell key:

HKCU\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry key not found*
HKLM\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry value not found*

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Browser Helper Objects:

(no name) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0. dll (file missing) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872}

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

easy Internet sign-up.job
FRU Task #Hewlett-Packard#hp psc 2200 series#1072429179.job
Norton AntiVirus - Scan my computer.job
Symantec NetDetect.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[PCPitstop Utility]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\PCPitstop.dll
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB

[Shockwave ActiveX Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Director\SwDir.dll
CODEBASE = http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...irector/sw.cab

[iCC Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\pcpConnCheck.dll
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/pcpConnCheck.cab

[{2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498}]
CODEBASE = http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com...45/yacscom.cab

[YInstStarter Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\yinsthelper.dll
CODEBASE = http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst0401.cab

[Microsoft RDP Client Control (redist)]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\msrdp.ocx
CODEBASE = http://www.aasa.org/tsweb/msrdp.cab

[WebCam Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\ACTIVE~1.OCX
CODEBASE = http://www.webcamnow.com/broadcast/ActiveXWebCam.cab

[{9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F}]
CODEBASE = http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...970.9491087963

[YahooYMailTo Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\ymmapi20040613.dll
CODEBASE = http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yaho...ymmapi_416.dll

[YAddBook Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yaddbook.dll
CODEBASE = http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yaho...tocomplete.cab

[Shockwave Flash Object]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\System32\macromed\flash\Flash.ocx
CODEBASE = http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get...sh/swflash.cab

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items:

PostBootReminder: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
CDBurn: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
WebCheck: C:\WINDOWS\System32\webcheck.dll
SysTray: C:\WINDOWS\System32\stobject.dll

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 8,820 bytes
Report generated in 0.290 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/full - to include several rarely-important sections
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only

[f0rbez]

The only thing I can see that would start the yahoo installation is "Yahoo! Pager = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet" in your user start up.

If your familiar with the registry editor you could browse to "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ru n" and delete the value named "Yahoo! Pager".

Otherwise, you could just disable it by going to Start/Run and typing "msconfig", click the "Startup" tab and uncheck the entry for Yahoo! Pager.

That should at least stop it from popping up. Then you can delete the whole folder and try another install if you want.

[f0rbez]

quote:Originally posted by scdgoofy

Another poster on another forum suggested this:

"You need to find out the name of the *.msi file that is used to install yahoo messenger. Once you find this out, then run regedit, search for the *.msi file used to install it, and delete the references to it. Then reinstall messenger once more. This will fix the registry settings and allow you to add/remove it like it was supposed to.

Be careful editing the registry, create a backup of the registry before starting in case something goes wrong.

You may be able to find out the filename of the *.msi file by doing a registry search for yahoo and noting the values, or the *.msi file may be in the yahoo messenger folder."

I've poked around my computer (not the wife's troubled computer) and can't find any .msi files anywhere. Anybody think this is the right approach?

oreo - Still on SP1 and I'm a regular Ad-Aware user. And you're right, I really don't want to reformat!

f0rbez - I'll download your suggestion and post the startup file when I get home tonight.

Thanks... -goof

I don't think Yahoo uses any msi files, so that wouldn't work. You might wanna try to remove all the other Yahoo components that are installed with the messenger. Like the yahoo mail support, toolbar and whatever else. If you don't need that kind of stuff and just want to install the messenger use this: http://download.yahoo.com/dl/install...ymsgr_1750.exe

[scdgoofy]

Thanks for all the help...

Nothing seemed to work. I found and deleted the Yahoo! Pager registry entry, but the install wizard still popped up all over the place.

I have to sheepishly admit that I wasn't all that familiar with XP (use 2K at work). Only after poking around with msconfig did I see that system restore was on. I restored back to August and that seemed to have done the trick. Not sure what the ramifications of a system restore are, but it beats the hell out of what it was.

Thanks again and sorry I can't post a "real" solution for everybody...

-goof

[camster]

I like using this as a startup inspector. It is very easy to find what should be removed:
http://www.windowsstartup.com/