FAO Jonathan Kay MSN Messenger Question!

[Paul Anderson]

Hi Jonathan,
I tried to use the remote assistance option in
MSN messenger 6 but received an error message that in effect told me I
needed windows messenger! Why is the remote assistance option (among
others) listed if it isn't available?

Thanks.

Paul.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Paul,

It's available in MSN Messenger 6 so long as Windows Messenger is installed. Remote
Assistance was originally written exclusively for Windows Messenger, and this is why this
restriction now exists. To solve the problem, simply install the latest Windows Messenger:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/download.asp

After it's installed, you can use the Remote Assistance function in MSN Messenger 6 (you
don't actually have to use Windows Messenger).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Paul]

Cheers Jonathan,
I have had more than one nightmare with
Windows Messenger which made me move over to MSN Messenger which seems
to give me no trouble at all. I have had Windows Messenger back on my
machine so I could use the remote assistance feature but the problems
came back forcing me to remove it again. I have two machines and it
causes the same sort of problems on both. The most annoying of which
is the constant attempts by Windows Messenger to connect to the
internet. I have ticked/unticked every box needed and it still tries
to connect even when it has been closed down via the system tray icon!
If I set my firewall to refuse it internet access I then have to
change the setting back when I want to use it which causes the 'Send
Error Report' box to flash up.

Are there any plans to include the remote assistance feature in MSN
Messenger without the need for Windows Messenger being on the machine?
It does seem an odd way of doing things.

Regards Paul.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Paul,

Do you happen to have Norton Antivirus 2003 installed? Norton added a new "instant messaging
scanning" feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict with Messenger and cause the
behavior you're seeing. To stop it, open Norton Antivirus (Right-click on the Norton
Antivirus icon in the System Tray/Notification Area (by the clock), choose 'Open Norton
Antivirus'), click Options, then Instant Messenger then uncheck MSN Instant Messenger and
click OK.

As I said in my previous message, the reason you're seeing this is because the Remote
Assistance component is part of Windows XP which shipped with the assumption that Windows
Messenger would be the only .NET Messenger client. Of course this changed after Windows XP
was released, and now there are two clients that can be installed. The problem here is that
the Remote Assistance component still requires Windows Messenger, and not MSN Messenger,
therefore causing this "restriction". Unfortunately until the Remote Assistance component is
changed to accommodate both, this restriction will still be in effect. Whether or not this
will be corrected in the next service pack for Windows XP is still up in the air.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Paul Anderson]

Hello again Jonathan

Yes I do have Norton Antivirus but it is 2004. The box you mention in
it is un ticked! I guess I'm going to have to wait until Remote
Assistance accommodates both clients as you say. I only really needed
the Remote Assistance to help my English friend who lives in Spain
with his Russian girlfriend and has a PC running a Russian copy of
Windows XP! (As if computers aren't enough trouble in English)

I'm very happy with MSN Messenger otherwise!

Paul.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Paul,

2004 *shouldn't* be an issue (although I haven't done that much extensive testing with it
yet).

Well, if you don't use it that often, it's just as simple to have a copy of the Windows
Messenger installer around and just install it when you need to.

Glad to hear it =).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com