(1) closed BS.Player
(2) renamed bsplayer.xml
(3) re-installed BS.Player 1030 (settings in installation folder;
have to do so to be able to run more versions)
(4) started BS.Player
(5) deselected
all checkboxes of [Online subtitles]
(6) exited and restarted BS.Player
(7) verified settings under [Online subtitles]: all unchecked
(8) loaded a video from my HD (with no accompanying subtitle file)
(9) presto: pop-up window
further on a clean system (vista-laptop on which BS.Player has never been installed before):
(a) downloaded and installed free version (settings in installation folder)
(b) made sure to have all rights/privileges/writing rights to change settings
(c) as -4-5-6-7- above
(d) loaded a video from a USB-disk (with no accompanying subtitle file)
(e) presto: pop-up window
So just unchecking under preferences does NOT do the trick (but I understand from you it should)!!