Hmmmm. close but no cigar
I tried to follow the above instructions but there was NO option to prevent initiation at start up. I even used the msconfig utility to stop IM from starting but that did not work either.
Since I am using MSN DSL (Grrrrrrrrr.....😡 ) I finally bit the bullet and called the tech help line. After 40 minutes of waiting on hold (at least it's a toll free call), I got some tech who really knew next to nothing. However, she explained that MS knows about this problem and they believe it is associated with the email client Outlook or Outlook Express. When the user activates the send/receive function, that will somehow activate the mutant MSN log on window.
The tech stated that the only fix they knew of (!) was to go into the tools-account-mail tab window and delete the existing mail account. Then click on add a new account and using the wizard, re-enter the POP3 and SMPT server info again. Sounds cooooky to me but I followed her instructions. So far so good. If it starts up again, I will make a post outlining anything else I learn.
Bye!