I did nothing between yesterday and today, but now my main LIVE ID
password is no longer valid.
Could be you used a weak username and password that some hacker could
easily crack simply by guessing. Could be you left your capslock on.
Could be what you remember as your password is not what is your
password. If you opt to locally cache the login credentials,
eventually you'll forget what they were unless you record them
somewhere secure.
I only asks me one challenge question, which I forgot the answer to.
In the future, don't bother to remember what is the challenge question.
It might be your birthplace city, middle name of your father, favorite
color, first teacher in highschool, or whatever stupid list of limited
questions they provide of which perhaps none of which apply to you.
Give the same answer no matter what security question is asked. They
might ask for your birthplace or middle name of your father or the
brand of your first car but you, for example, always give your dog's
name (and if it's something short like "fido" then add something more,
like your street name) but spelled backwards. Use the same answer
that's long enough and something you can derive but don't specifically
have to remember per se. So matter what they ask as their challenge
question, you'll know the answer because it's always the same no matter
which site wants to ask their different challenge question. Use
whatever string you want as your security answer despite whatever
security question they ask.
Is there some way to get another challenge question?
Nope. They recorded what you gave them and that's what they'll use
when you use their "forgot password" procedure.
I tried deleting/reinstalling my .NET Passport, but to no avail.
Locally cached information has no effect on their records in their
database on their servers.
I still wants my password and still asks 'best childhood friend'.
You'll have to keep guessing at the value that you told them.
Otherwise, you'll have to abandon that Live ID and create a new one.
Is there a phone number I can call to get live help?
Depends. If it is a freebie account then you get exactly the level of
support that you paid for: zero. If it is a paid account, you didn't
get back confirmation notice of your payment and instructions on how to
use your paid services?
You could try using their web form to get help if you have a paid
account with them. Don't expect a reply if you're using their freebie
services.
https://support.live.com/eform.aspx (pick "Windows Live ID")
