Live Messenger - I can't resolve Errors 80072745 8100030d

I am running Windows Live Messenger version 2009 (Build 14.0.8064.206) after
upgrading from an earlier version on Windows XP Pro 32 bit. Installation
seemed to complete ok but whenever I try to start Messenger I get the
following error:
80072745 there is a problem with your internet connection etc etc. Sometimes
this changes to 8100030d but I am not counting the percentages.

I have spent hours trying to resolve this issue including complete
removal/reinstallation of all live software. I have removed all the registry
entries and subdirectories under "users and computers" as per suggestions
elsewhere etc all to no avail. This is really frustrating and I am seeking
help in solving this problem.

As an aside It seems to me, from trawling around on the net trying to solve
this problem that there are thousands of other folk having the exact same
issues and none of them seem to be getting solutions. How come Microsoft is
so very silent about what is obvious a major issue with Live Messenger?

Just so you know I even tried to get help through the live help support
website. What a waste of time that was. There is little guidance on what to
do next once you have to Register (yet again). The website is very slow and
nothing seems to work properly either. You have no idea what you are supposed
to be doing cos there is no on screen advice - or - if there is it doesn't
make sense. This seems to be the story of Windows Live support/advice
everywhere. Perhaps this software should be renamed "Windows Dying" or maybe
even "Windows Dead!".

ha! you're another victim like me. The errors being churned out by this icky
program is driving a lotta folk up the wall!!



"Tee.eM" wrote:

> I am running Windows Live Messenger version 2009 (Build 14.0.8064.206) after
> upgrading from an earlier version on Windows XP Pro 32 bit. Installation
> seemed to complete ok but whenever I try to start Messenger I get the
> following error:
> 80072745 there is a problem with your internet connection etc etc. Sometimes
> this changes to 8100030d but I am not counting the percentages.
>
> I have spent hours trying to resolve this issue including complete
> removal/reinstallation of all live software. I have removed all the registry
> entries and subdirectories under "users and computers" as per suggestions
> elsewhere etc all to no avail. This is really frustrating and I am seeking
> help in solving this problem.
>
> As an aside It seems to me, from trawling around on the net trying to solve
> this problem that there are thousands of other folk having the exact same
> issues and none of them seem to be getting solutions. How come Microsoft is
> so very silent about what is obvious a major issue with Live Messenger?
>
> Just so you know I even tried to get help through the live help support
> website. What a waste of time that was. There is little guidance on what to
> do next once you have to Register (yet again). The website is very slow and
> nothing seems to work properly either. You have no idea what you are supposed
> to be doing cos there is no on screen advice - or - if there is it doesn't
> make sense. This seems to be the story of Windows Live support/advice
> everywhere. Perhaps this software should be renamed "Windows Dying" or maybe
> even "Windows Dead!".

Eventually, after many hours of trying to fix this problem I finally worked
out what was happening (all by myself and no thanks to Microsoft). I will
relay the steps I took to solve the problem that may help many others.

(1) The basic problem is that Live Messenger requires Port 8443 to be open.
The errors I was having resulted from something blocking that port. If that
port is not open then Messenger can't work

(2) First thing to do is to go here

http://www.portforward.com/store/PFP...cker1.0.28.exe

to download a useful little port checker utility. What this does is check to
see if a specified port is open. It is more reliable than all so called
"online port checkers" which aren't very good. If this checker says that port
8443 is closed then it really is closed. Your next step is to find out why it
is closed and get it open again.

(3) In my case I have a small business server controlling my local area
network. I have both my DSL Modem with a built in Firewall/Router and also an
ISA Server. Thus I have, effectively, 2 firewalls between my machine and the
internet. If either (or both) of these firewalls are blocking port 8443 then
MSN won't work. The trick was to find out which one. [In fact, thinking
through it, I actually had three firewalls because there is also one on my pc
courtesy of Windows XP but this is de-activated. Two firewalls are enough as
far as I am concerned].

I found that both firewalls were blocking port 8443 so I had to open both of
them before I could get MSN working.

If you are not running ISA Server or similar [Zona alarm etc] this the
culprit is, almost certainly, your modem/router. Check the instructions that
come with your router to find a way to open port 8443. The usual technique
for doing this is call "Port Forwarding". Look that up the manual for your
modem/router. You only need to open up the TCP ports for bi-directional
communication on Port 8443 (ie UDP is not required). When you have done this
use the port checker software again to check that the port really is open.
Keep working at it until the port checker tells you that Port 8443 is open.
If it is open then MSN should start working immediately.

I hope this information helps a few of those who are having difficulty with
this problem. Please do not hesitate to post back if I you need more
assistance.