I thank you for your swift response, but I have extensively reasearched this
and have seen other posts regarding this issue and have folled the
instructions. I have no software firewall, i used to use microsoft firewall
but disabled it just in case, if it was the router surely it would a) affect
vista as well as XP SP2 and b) surely it would affect the second XP SP2 PC as
well? neither of which is affected. I have done both reset and changed the
firmware both up and down on my router (Dlink DI-524) to no avail. I have
totally searched the registry for Windows live and USN Journal service and
deleted any reference, I have removed all messenger files and folders
including those found in my user profile. I have tried setting up a new user
profile and that made no difference, I have tried disconnecting the PC from
the lan and tried loading it to no avail. I have folled the instruction on
the msdn site for the DCOM error and SIDEBYSIde errors which no longer appear
in event viewer. The list of things i have tried is huge

I can load 8.0
but that wont long in unless i upgrade but i do get a sign in window, I can
use 9.0 and sign in but its an early beta, this issue only affects 8.5 so
cant be a router problem. I would really like a fix since i really dont wont
to re-install xp. It was all working fine then one day just stopped, I tried
a system restore to the previous day, then previous week and still no joy

something messenger 8.5 needs to load is not working. But it obviously
believes is installed else it would have re-installed that.
The only thing I cannot do is re-install the .net frameworks (1.1, 2.0) as
it gives an error saying it cant find the install package even though i have
specified its location (by expanding th dotnetfix.exe)
"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> Although what you're describing is generally a problem with Messenger and a router on your
> local network, it's surprising that it's affecting one operating system but not the other --
> although software firewalls and the like may be the reason.
>
> Regardless, assuming you do have a router, you may need to either reset it (unplug it and
> plug back in) and/or upgrading its firmware to the latest version from the router
> manufacturer.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> --
>
>
>
> "gandalf_grey" <> wrote in message
> news:75EFB2B6-F3C8-4B5C-934D-...
> > Windows live messenger 8.5 loads the executable but wont display the login
> > screen
> > 7.5, 8.0 and 9.0 will all load but 8.5 wont
> >
> > in task manager msnmsgr.exe appears twice
> >
> > ive tried removing registry keys, files and folders emptying temp folders,
> > reseting router etc etc no joy
> >
> > I have xp home sp2
> >
> > I dual boot with vista which works perfectly
> >
> > Any ideas?
>
>