Windows Live Messenger will not start Jul28-29 2010

As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of my
PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.

Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
yesterday?

Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.

I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
program, with no sucess.

Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
also reporting this issue as of yesterday.

Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows updates.
So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)

Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
will work again?

Help and Support for Windows Live Messenger (downloaded from
http://download.live.com) can be found here:
http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=2

-steve

interested <> wrote:

>As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of my
>PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
>
>Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
>yesterday?
>
>Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
>crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
>
>I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
>program, with no sucess.
>
>Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
>also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
>
>Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows updates.
>So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
>latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
>installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
>
>Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
>will work again?

--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator

Sorry that i posted here.
Obviously this place is only for help with MSN messenger ( which no longer
exists )
and not windows live messenger.

Too bad there is no microsoft discussion newsgroup here dedicated for
windows live messenger, which is the product that replaced MSN messenger.

Regardless, i have found on various other non Microsoft forums, severel
solutions, one of which worked great for me.

Basically i just uninstalled the latest windows live mesenger, and installd
an old 8.5 version which works fine.
Also version 8.5 does not try and automatically update itself to the latest
defective version, so it should keep me going until microsoft fixes their
latest screwup.

Otherwise, i will have to try one of the many 3rd party windows live
messenger alternatives that i have also found recently.

"StephenB" wrote:

> Help and Support for Windows Live Messenger (downloaded from
> http://download.live.com) can be found here:
> http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=2
>
> -steve
>
> interested <> wrote:
>
> >As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of my
> >PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
> >
> >Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
> >yesterday?
> >
> >Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
> >crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
> >
> >I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
> >program, with no sucess.
> >
> >Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
> >also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
> >
> >Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows updates.
> >So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
> >latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
> >installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
> >
> >Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
> >will work again?
>
> --
> Stephen Boots
> MVP Windows Live
> Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
>
> .
>

No need to apologize. There was a newsgroups for Windows Live Messenger, but it
has been closed - hence the reason I posted the link to the help and support
forum for it.
-steve


interested <> wrote:

>Sorry that i posted here.
>Obviously this place is only for help with MSN messenger ( which no longer
>exists )
>and not windows live messenger.
>
>Too bad there is no microsoft discussion newsgroup here dedicated for
>windows live messenger, which is the product that replaced MSN messenger.
>
>Regardless, i have found on various other non Microsoft forums, severel
>solutions, one of which worked great for me.
>
>Basically i just uninstalled the latest windows live mesenger, and installd
>an old 8.5 version which works fine.
>Also version 8.5 does not try and automatically update itself to the latest
>defective version, so it should keep me going until microsoft fixes their
>latest screwup.
>
>Otherwise, i will have to try one of the many 3rd party windows live
>messenger alternatives that i have also found recently.
>
>"StephenB" wrote:
>
>> Help and Support for Windows Live Messenger (downloaded from
>> http://download.live.com) can be found here:
>> http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=2
>>
>> -steve
>>
>> interested <> wrote:
>>
>> >As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of my
>> >PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
>> >
>> >Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
>> >yesterday?
>> >
>> >Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
>> >crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
>> >
>> >I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
>> >program, with no sucess.
>> >
>> >Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
>> >also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
>> >
>> >Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows updates.
>> >So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
>> >latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
>> >installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
>> >
>> >Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
>> >will work again?
>>
>> --
>> Stephen Boots
>> MVP Windows Live
>> Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
>>
>> .
>>

--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator

I had hte same problem since July29. No idea what caused it. just that msn
messenger/live Id does not work even after I reinstall it. Any solutions?

"interested" wrote:

> As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of my
> PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
>
> Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
> yesterday?
>
> Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
> crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
>
> I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
> program, with no sucess.
>
> Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
> also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
>
> Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows updates.
> So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
> latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
> installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
>
> Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
> will work again?

MSN Messenger is long gone. I believe that you mean that you are unable to sign
into Windows Live Messenger using your LiveID - as LiveID works just fine.

Help and Support for Windows Live Messenger (downloaded from
http://download.live.com) can be found here:
http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=2
-steve

jocelynebay fido <jocelynebay > wrote:

>I had hte same problem since July29. No idea what caused it. just that msn
>messenger/live Id does not work even after I reinstall it. Any solutions?
>
>"interested" wrote:
>
>> As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of my
>> PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
>>
>> Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
>> yesterday?
>>
>> Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
>> crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
>>
>> I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
>> program, with no sucess.
>>
>> Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
>> also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
>>
>> Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows updates.
>> So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
>> latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
>> installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
>>
>> Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
>> will work again?

--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator

I have the same problem where the update has stopped my windows live
messenger from working. Have 2 accounts on my laptop the other account is my
wife's, hers was still working for a couple of days after mine stopped but
then she was unable to get into her messenger. We have to go into google for
our messenger and contacts. type in windows live hotmail and go from there.
Hope this is helpful.
"interested" <> wrote in message
newsD32C3A3-5532-4093-8D4E-...
> As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of
> my
> PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
>
> Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
> yesterday?
>
> Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
> crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
>
> I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
> program, with no sucess.
>
> Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
> also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
>
> Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows
> updates.
> So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
> latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
> installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
>
> Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
> will work again?

Help and Support for Windows Live Messenger (downloaded from
http://download.live.com) can be found here:
http://windowslivehelp.com/product.aspx?productid=2

-steve

"John" <> wrote:

>I have the same problem where the update has stopped my windows live
>messenger from working. Have 2 accounts on my laptop the other account is my
>wife's, hers was still working for a couple of days after mine stopped but
>then she was unable to get into her messenger. We have to go into google for
>our messenger and contacts. type in windows live hotmail and go from there.
>Hope this is helpful.
>"interested" <> wrote in message
>newsD32C3A3-5532-4093-8D4E-...
>> As of yesterday evening Jul 28, 2010 my windows live messenger on one of
>> my
>> PC's that i use most often, will no longer start up.
>>
>> Anyone else here have problems starting windows live messenger since
>> yesterday?
>>
>> Basically when i try to start messenger it will not open up, and instead
>> crash, and just display the usual windows xp application crash window.
>>
>> I have tried re-installing, and repairing the windows live messenger
>> program, with no sucess.
>>
>> Some searching online has yeiled a few forums where a few other people are
>> also reporting this issue as of yesterday.
>>
>> Im running on 32bit windows xp pro with sp3 and all latest windows
>> updates.
>> So far it has only affected one of my PC's, basically the one PC with the
>> latest version of messenger ( the one im typing on now has an old version
>> installed, and has not done any win updates in awhile, and it works fine)
>>
>> Where should i look for updated information on when windows live messenger
>> will work again?

--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator

Mine began failing in the same timeframe, end of July or first of August.
Has never launched successfully since. It is not a Login problem. The app
won't load. "Windows Live Messenger has encountered a problem and needs to
close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." [Send Error Report] [Don't
Send] Those are the error message and the button faces displayed on the
dialog box... whereupon the program does promptly collapse.

TROUBLESHOOTING ALREADY DONE:

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Windows Live Messenger, to use the
current version.

The installation on my laptop still works, while the one on my desktop
machine curiously does not. They are in the same version, 14.0.8089.726.
The platforms are slightly different as my Fujitsu Stylistic ST Series tablet
is running Windows XP Tablet Edition, and my desktop is a no-brand tower
having an AMD 1.25GHz Athlon CPU, 512 Mb RAM, and is running Windows XP
Professional 2002 with SP3. Each machine has been updated with all critical
security updates and Windows update packages.

On the desktop machine where failure occurs, I find no indication of virus,
malware, or firewall issues. All scans come back clean. I've tried
launching with my firewall software temporarily disabled and this doesn't
change the faulty behavior.

What now?

Responding to my own post... I did find a fix that may help you!

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/for...-8fadc9f6bc35/

I read through this forever-long list of attempted fixes and things that may
have worked for other people. I tried resetting my internet router and all
the networking / wifi equipment in my house. That didn't help. Then I
backup and kill the two registry keys that they recommended nuking away...
and BINGO it has launched successfully. Being skeptical, I closed the
program, rebooted, and re-launched it... and it still works. Every time.
Kinda surprised by this.

The registry keys to kill are:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSNMessenger
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MessengerServ ice

Hope this helps someone. Especially Mr. Interested, above.