Windows Live Messenger and Zone Alarm

Hi Folks.
I am running Windows XP Pro, with IE 7 RC1 and Yahoo Messenger 8 protected
by Zone Alarm (Firewall, Anti Virus, Spyware), Have just installed Windows
Live messenger but cannot connect, Yahoo Messenger connects OK, turning off
Yahoo Messenger makes no difference to my ability to connect to Windows Live
Messenger, however if I turn off Zone Alarm I can then connect to Windows
Live Messenger as well as Yahoo Messenger, so I get the feeling its a problem
in Zone Alarm which is up todate, any help would be appreciated

I hope that this will explain the Zone Alarm problem and Microsoft current
position about it.. Following is my communication with Microsoft (their
latest answer is as of yesterday, 10/09/06). It started that I was
connected to .NET but couldn't in to Live messenger, etc. It goes as follow
(latest to earliest):

Hi Marek,

Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. My name
is Dawn, and I'll be glad to assist you with your concern.

Based on the information I received, I understand that you cannot sign in to
Windows Live Messenger and you encountered the error 81000306, you tried to
perform the troubleshooting steps given to you by previous agents but to no
avail.

I realize this must be a huge inconvenience for you. I apologize if this
problem has prevented you from keeping in touch with your family and
friends. Please know that I will help resolve this problem in the quickest
way possible.

Marek, we apologize that you are encountering the error 81000306 when
signing into Windows Live Messenger. Based on our investigations, we believe
this is impacting only customers who also have Zone Alarm running on their
machines. We are actively engaged with Zone Labs to resolve this issue.
We sincerely appreciate your patience as we work towards finding a
resolution.

As a workaround, so that you can continue to use Messenger to keep in touch
with family and friends, we request you to use Web Messenger. To sign into
Web Messenger, follow the steps below:
1. Go to http://webmessenger.msn.com/
2. Click on "Start Web Messenger"
3. Sign in with your address and launch Web Messenger


Marek, If the above situation does not apply in your case, please reply back
to this e-mail so that we can assist you further.

I hope these steps resolve your concern with Windows Live Messenger. If you
need further assistance, you may contact us at http://support.live.com. For
additional information and self-help instructions, visit
http://ideas.live.com/.

Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. Have a
great day.

Sincerely,

Dawn
Windows Live Messenger Technical Support

With Windows Live Messenger, you can now talk to your Yahoo! Messenger
friends. To learn more, paste this ! link in your browser:
http://ideas.live.com/programpage.as...c-685ee3e858fe

Find out how easy all-in-one PC care can be with the 90-day free trial of
Windows Live OneCare .To get started, paste this link in your browser:
http://www.windowsonecare.com/purcha...sc_cid=SPT_msg



--- Original Message ---
From: "Marek Kalisz"
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 2:55:36 PM UTC
To: MSSGR.WNLV.NA.US.EN.NCO.QUE.TS.T01.SPT.00.EM
Subject: Re: SRX1021853075ID - Windows Live Messenger:I cannot sign in:I am
getting an error:81000306

?
Sorry. Followed all steps and checked/changed everything what was
suggested. No changes - still can't sign in. Messenger shows that I'm
connected to .NET. So, now - what?

Marek Kalisz
----- Original Message -----
From: Microsoft Customer Support
To:
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 12:03 AM
Subject: RE: SRX1021853075ID - Windows Live Messenger:I cannot sign in:I
am getting an error:81000306



Hi Marek,

Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. My name
is Au, and I'll be glad to assist you with your concern.

Based on the information that I have received, I understand that you
cannot sign in into Windows Live Messenger and got an error message
81000306. The rror message means that you cannot sign in because there
seems to be a problem with your Internet connection and that you have to
make sure that you are connected to the Internet. That's too bad that you
cannot login. I know how you feel.

The probable cause you are experiencing this error is you may be not
connected to the Internet. The following reasons may also apply:
- You cannot visit a Web page that uses Secure Sockets L! ayer (SS L)
protection.
- The Windows Live Messenger proxy settings are incorrect.
- The Windows Live Messenger service is blocked by a firewall.
- The computer network does not allow access to the Windows Live Messenger
service.

To resolve your issue, you have to do some things. Try the following
solutions in the order that they are listed. Please follow the
instructions herein provided:
1. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Start Internet
Explorer, and then try to visit the following Web sites:
http://www.microsoft.com
https://www.microsoft.com
If you cannot visit these sites, contact your Internet service provider
(ISP) for information about how to set up your Internet connection so that
you can visit both secure (https) and non-secure (http) sites.After you
verify that you can browse the Internet, go to the next step.

2. Clear the proxy settings in Windows Live Messenger:

Windows Live Messenger
a. Start Windows Live Messenger.
b. On the "Tools" menu, click "Options."
c. Click "Connection" in the left navigation pane.
d. Click "Advanced Settings" in the "Connection Settings" secti! on.
e. Delete the content of the "SOCKS" field.
f. Click "OK" two times to save the settings.

3. If you are using a firewall, make sure that Windows Live Messenger is
allowed full access through the firewall. For information about how to
configure the most common firewalls to allow Windows Live Messenger to
function, please visit the site.
a. If you are using Windows Live Messenger go to
http://spaces.msn.com/messenger-supp...53F!3669.entry
and look for steps on how to enable Windows Live Messenger through the most
common firewalls.

4. If y ou are connected to the Internet from a corporate environment, ask
the network administrator if access to Windows Live Messenger is blocked.

5. If you are using a dial-up connection to connect to the Internet, you
may experience low connectivity speeds. Wait, and then try to connect
later.

6. Check your Internet Explorer Security settings:
a. Open Internet Explorer.
b. On the "Tools" menu, click "Internet options."
c. On the "Advanced" tab, scroll down to the security section.
d. Make sure that "use SSL 2.0" and "use SSL 3.0" are both selected. MSN
Messenger requires these settings to validate your password and user name.

7. Reregister the security .dll files:
a. Click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then click OK.
b. Type the following commands. Press ENTER after each command line.
Note After each command runs successfully, you receive a
"DllRegisterServer succeeded" message. Wait until you receive this message
before you type the next command.
- regsvr32 softpub.dll
- regsvr32 wintrust.dll
- regsvr32 initpki.dll
- regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
- regsvr32 mssip32.dll
- regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll
- regsvr32 dssenh.dll
- regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
- regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
- regsvr32 sccbase.dll

I hope these steps resolve your concern with Windo! ws Live Messenger. If
you need further assistance, you may contact us at
http://support.live.com. For dditional information and self-help
instructions, visit
http://help.live.com/(ZmlsdGVyPURIX1...ery=nogol&fs=1

Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. Have a
great day.

S! incerely ,

Au
Windows Live Messenger Technical Support

With Windows Live Messenger, you can now talk to your Yahoo! Messenger
friends.
To learn more, paste this link in your browser:
http://ideas.live.com/programpage.as...c-685ee3e858fe

Find out how easy all-in-one PC care can be with the 90-day free trial of
Windows Live OneCare . To get started, paste this link in your browser:
http://www.windowsonecare.com/purcha...c_cid=SPT_msgr



--- Original Message ---
From:
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 1:47:02 AM UTC
To: MSSGR.WNLV.NA.US.EN.MSF.SEA.TS.T01.RTG.00.EM
Subject: Windows Live Messenger:I cannot sign in:I am getting an
error:81000306

Service:
Windows Live Messenger

What type of problem do you have?
I cannot sign in I am getting an error 81000306

Full Name:
Marek Kalisz

What e-mail address would you like a response sent to?


Primary e-mail address/member ID associated with the account you are
inquiring about:


Be specific when describing your problem. The details that you include
enable us to promptly send you the most likely solution to your issue. I
have already.NET account but cannot sign to Live Messenger. How to correct
this?
Marek Kalisz

Frequency of the issue:
Always present

Where are! you try ing to connect from?
Home LAN

If you have a firewall, which one?
ZoneAlarm Pro

Type of Internet connection:
DSL



Which operating system are you using?Windows XP: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible;
MSIE 6.0; Wind! ows NT 5 .1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727)

Which browser are you using: IE6

Location: en-us - English (United States)

Type of Support: E-mail Support
____________
Virus checked by G DATA AntiVirusKit
Version: AVK 17.66 from 08.10.2006
Virus news: www.antiviruslab.com

Marek Kalisz
"ash1001" <> wrote in message
news:6017C0D3-6C0D-4230-9CF0-...
> Hi Folks.
> I am running Windows XP Pro, with IE 7 RC1 and Yahoo Messenger 8 protected
> by Zone Alarm (Firewall, Anti Virus, Spyware), Have just installed Windows
> Live messenger but cannot connect, Yahoo Messenger connects OK, turning
> off
> Yahoo Messenger makes no difference to my ability to connect to Windows
> Live
> Messenger, however if I turn off Zone Alarm I can then connect to Windows
> Live Messenger as well as Yahoo Messenger, so I get the feeling its a
> problem
> in Zone Alarm which is up todate, any help would be appreciated

Greetings,

ZoneAlarm hasn't fully worked properly with Messenger in a long time, this is just the first
time it's been publicly admitted.

I'd just uninstall or turn it off and use something else, especially if you didn't purchase
it.

--
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) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--


"Marek Kalisz" <> wrote in message
news:uBPha%...
>I hope that this will explain the Zone Alarm problem and Microsoft current position about
>it.. Following is my communication with Microsoft (their latest answer is as of yesterday,
>10/09/06). It started that I was connected to .NET but couldn't in to Live messenger, etc.
>It goes as follow (latest to earliest):
>
> Hi Marek,
>
> Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. My name
> is Dawn, and I'll be glad to assist you with your concern.
>
> Based on the information I received, I understand that you cannot sign in to
> Windows Live Messenger and you encountered the error 81000306, you tried to perform the
> troubleshooting steps given to you by previous agents but to no avail.
>
> I realize this must be a huge inconvenience for you. I apologize if this problem has
> prevented you from keeping in touch with your family and friends. Please know that I will
> help resolve this problem in the quickest way possible.
>
> Marek, we apologize that you are encountering the error 81000306 when signing into Windows
> Live Messenger. Based on our investigations, we believe
> this is impacting only customers who also have Zone Alarm running on their machines. We are
> actively engaged with Zone Labs to resolve this issue.
> We sincerely appreciate your patience as we work towards finding a resolution.
>
> As a workaround, so that you can continue to use Messenger to keep in touch with family and
> friends, we request you to use Web Messenger. To sign into Web Messenger, follow the steps
> below:
> 1. Go to http://webmessenger.msn.com/
> 2. Click on "Start Web Messenger"
> 3. Sign in with your address and launch Web Messenger
>
>
> Marek, If the above situation does not apply in your case, please reply back to this e-mail
> so that we can assist you further.
>
> I hope these steps resolve your concern with Windows Live Messenger. If you need further
> assistance, you may contact us at http://support.live.com. For
> additional information and self-help instructions, visit http://ideas.live.com/.
>
> Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. Have a great day.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Dawn
> Windows Live Messenger Technical Support
>
> With Windows Live Messenger, you can now talk to your Yahoo! Messenger friends. To learn
> more, paste this ! link in your browser:
> http://ideas.live.com/programpage.as...c-685ee3e858fe
>
> Find out how easy all-in-one PC care can be with the 90-day free trial of Windows Live
> OneCare .To get started, paste this link in your browser:
> http://www.windowsonecare.com/purcha...sc_cid=SPT_msg
>
>
>
> --- Original Message ---
> From: "Marek Kalisz"
> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 2:55:36 PM UTC
> To: MSSGR.WNLV.NA.US.EN.NCO.QUE.TS.T01.SPT.00.EM
> Subject: Re: SRX1021853075ID - Windows Live Messenger:I cannot sign in:I am
> getting an error:81000306
>
> ?
> Sorry. Followed all steps and checked/changed everything what was suggested. No changes -
> still can't sign in. Messenger shows that I'm connected to .NET. So, now - what?
>
> Marek Kalisz
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Microsoft Customer Support
> To:
> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 12:03 AM
> Subject: RE: SRX1021853075ID - Windows Live Messenger:I cannot sign in:I
> am getting an error:81000306
>
>
>
> Hi Marek,
>
> Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. My name is Au, and
> I'll be glad to assist you with your concern.
>
> Based on the information that I have received, I understand that you cannot sign in into
> Windows Live Messenger and got an error message 81000306. The rror message means that
> you cannot sign in because there seems to be a problem with your Internet connection and
> that you have to make sure that you are connected to the Internet. That's too bad that
> you cannot login. I know how you feel.
>
> The probable cause you are experiencing this error is you may be not connected to the
> Internet. The following reasons may also apply:
> - You cannot visit a Web page that uses Secure Sockets L! ayer (SS L)
> protection.
> - The Windows Live Messenger proxy settings are incorrect.
> - The Windows Live Messenger service is blocked by a firewall.
> - The computer network does not allow access to the Windows Live Messenger
> service.
>
> To resolve your issue, you have to do some things. Try the following solutions in the
> order that they are listed. Please follow the instructions herein provided:
> 1. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Start Internet
> Explorer, and then try to visit the following Web sites:
> http://www.microsoft.com
> https://www.microsoft.com
> If you cannot visit these sites, contact your Internet service provider (ISP) for
> information about how to set up your Internet connection so that you can visit both
> secure (https) and non-secure (http) sites.After you verify that you can browse the
> Internet, go to the next step.
>
> 2. Clear the proxy settings in Windows Live Messenger:
>
> Windows Live Messenger
> a. Start Windows Live Messenger.
> b. On the "Tools" menu, click "Options."
> c. Click "Connection" in the left navigation pane.
> d. Click "Advanced Settings" in the "Connection Settings" secti! on.
> e. Delete the content of the "SOCKS" field.
> f. Click "OK" two times to save the settings.
>
> 3. If you are using a firewall, make sure that Windows Live Messenger is allowed full
> access through the firewall. For information about how to configure the most common
> firewalls to allow Windows Live Messenger to function, please visit the site.
> a. If you are using Windows Live Messenger go to
> http://spaces.msn.com/messenger-supp...53F!3669.entry
> and look for steps on how to enable Windows Live Messenger through the most common
> firewalls.
>
> 4. If y ou are connected to the Internet from a corporate environment, ask the network
> administrator if access to Windows Live Messenger is blocked.
>
> 5. If you are using a dial-up connection to connect to the Internet, you may experience
> low connectivity speeds. Wait, and then try to connect later.
>
> 6. Check your Internet Explorer Security settings:
> a. Open Internet Explorer.
> b. On the "Tools" menu, click "Internet options."
> c. On the "Advanced" tab, scroll down to the security section.
> d. Make sure that "use SSL 2.0" and "use SSL 3.0" are both selected. MSN
> Messenger requires these settings to validate your password and user name.
>
> 7. Reregister the security .dll files:
> a. Click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then click OK.
> b. Type the following commands. Press ENTER after each command line.
> Note After each command runs successfully, you receive a
> "DllRegisterServer succeeded" message. Wait until you receive this message before you
> type the next command.
> - regsvr32 softpub.dll
> - regsvr32 wintrust.dll
> - regsvr32 initpki.dll
> - regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
> - regsvr32 mssip32.dll
> - regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll
> - regsvr32 dssenh.dll
> - regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
> - regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
> - regsvr32 sccbase.dll
>
> I hope these steps resolve your concern with Windo! ws Live Messenger. If you need
> further assistance, you may contact us at http://support.live.com. For dditional
> information and self-help instructions, visit
> http://help.live.com/(ZmlsdGVyPURIX1...ery=nogol&fs=1
>
> Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. Have a great day.
>
> S! incerely ,
>
> Au
> Windows Live Messenger Technical Support
>
> With Windows Live Messenger, you can now talk to your Yahoo! Messenger friends.
> To learn more, paste this link in your browser:
> http://ideas.live.com/programpage.as...c-685ee3e858fe
>
> Find out how easy all-in-one PC care can be with the 90-day free trial of Windows Live
> OneCare . To get started, paste this link in your browser:
> http://www.windowsonecare.com/purcha...c_cid=SPT_msgr
>
>
>
> --- Original Message ---
> From:
> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 1:47:02 AM UTC
> To: MSSGR.WNLV.NA.US.EN.MSF.SEA.TS.T01.RTG.00.EM
> Subject: Windows Live Messenger:I cannot sign in:I am getting an error:81000306
>
> Service:
> Windows Live Messenger
>
> What type of problem do you have?
> I cannot sign in I am getting an error 81000306
>
> Full Name:
> Marek Kalisz
>
> What e-mail address would you like a response sent to?
>
>
> Primary e-mail address/member ID associated with the account you are inquiring about:
>
>
> Be specific when describing your problem. The details that you include enable us to
> promptly send you the most likely solution to your issue. I have already.NET account but
> cannot sign to Live Messenger. How to correct this?
> Marek Kalisz
>
> Frequency of the issue:
> Always present
>
> Where are! you try ing to connect from?
> Home LAN
>
> If you have a firewall, which one?
> ZoneAlarm Pro
>
> Type of Internet connection:
> DSL
>
>
>
> Which operating system are you using?Windows XP: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible;
> MSIE 6.0; Wind! ows NT 5 .1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727)
>
> Which browser are you using: IE6
>
> Location: en-us - English (United States)
>
> Type of Support: E-mail Support
> ____________
> Virus checked by G DATA AntiVirusKit
> Version: AVK 17.66 from 08.10.2006
> Virus news: www.antiviruslab.com
>
> Marek Kalisz
> "ash1001" <> wrote in message
> news:6017C0D3-6C0D-4230-9CF0-...
>> Hi Folks.
>> I am running Windows XP Pro, with IE 7 RC1 and Yahoo Messenger 8 protected
>> by Zone Alarm (Firewall, Anti Virus, Spyware), Have just installed Windows
>> Live messenger but cannot connect, Yahoo Messenger connects OK, turning off
>> Yahoo Messenger makes no difference to my ability to connect to Windows Live
>> Messenger, however if I turn off Zone Alarm I can then connect to Windows
>> Live Messenger as well as Yahoo Messenger, so I get the feeling its a problem
>> in Zone Alarm which is up todate, any help would be appreciated
>
>

A fix should be out soon. The Program Manager for Windows Live Messenger has
acknowledged the issue with Zone Alarm. They have found the cause and are
working on a fix. Check out his blog:
http://messengersays.spaces.live.com...9E!22246.entry