WinXP msgr application won't run but process does.

[David Bartosik - MS MVP]

I have been unsuccessful in resolving why Windows XP Messenger fails to run
the application. When I start the application the application fails to
appear but the executable is in the process task manager. If I click the app
icon continually I can get multiple copies of it in processes but never the
application.
I found the KB on this topic but it didn't really match my situation, for
one thing I don't believe I have any permissions issues since I'm the sole
user installed, and also I do not get the event logged as indicated in the
KB. Not only do I not get this event error but when I reviewed the registry
has the KB states, I find that the required key and values are already in
place.
So the KB does not resolve the issue.
I ran the resident MVP's reg key installs as posted on this forum and that
did not resolve the issue.
I have gone into add/remove programs, windows setup, and trying removing and
reinstating it without any change in the issue.
I have gone to MS.com and got the program download and installed and that
had no effect on the issue.

I have found a workaround, I installed MSN Msgr. I found that MSN Msgr runs
with no issue, and I found that if MSN Msgr is running already THAN Windows
Msgr WILL run successfully, go figure. Of course MSN Msgr is then shut down,
and Windows Msgr will continue on without any problems.

HOWEVER this is NOT an acceptable workaround.
Starting MSN Msgr in order to start Windows Msgr is not the solution
desired.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings David,

I'm not sure which .reg keys you're referring to, but there's no magic reg key to fix the
issue you're describing. Also, all KB articles for Messenger are 2-3 versions behind, so you
can ignore most of them.

Going to Windows Setup does not remove and reinstall Windows Messenger, it simply removes and
recreates the shortcuts for Messenger.

Do you have Norton Antivirus 2003 installed? Norton added an "instant messaging scanning"
feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict with Messenger and display 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 or Windows Messenger
(depending on what version you've upgraded to, it will say one of them) and click OK.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[David Bartosik - MS MVP]

I'm not sure which .reg keys you're referring to, but there's no magic reg
key to fix the

issue you're describing. Also, all KB articles for Messenger are 2-3 versions behind, so you
can ignore most of them.

just trying stuff, figure it can't get worse.

Going to Windows Setup does not remove and reinstall Windows Messenger, it simply removes and
recreates the shortcuts for Messenger.

yeah, I read that somewhere.

Do you have Norton Antivirus 2003 installed? Norton added an "instant messaging scanning"
feature to Norton Antivirus 2003, which can conflict with Messenger and display 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 or Windows Messenger
(depending on what version you've upgraded to, it will say one of them)

and click OK.


Oh goodness no. I would hope every MS MVP knew better than that. I'm using
that AVG one. I think Norton takes breaking MS software very seriously.