Messenger won't start - 100% CPU

[Stuart]

Ever since I installed a new video game (and presumably directx 9 as
well) Windows Messenger in XP Pro refuses to start. When I try,
svchost.exe takes 100% of cpu and the only way to stop it is to kill
the messenger process.

I have looked through lots of posts and tried everything including:

Updating to Directx 9.0a
Updating my video card drivers
Running sfc /scannow
Reinstalling Windows Messenger
Disabling the Windows XP firewall.

None of this has worked and I cannot use Messenger. I don't use any
type of router I connect straight to the internet through dial up.

Removing Directx 9a isn't something I really want to do as the game
probably needs it. Using MSN Messenger instead isn't an option either
- it has to be Windows Messenger so I can connect to an Exchange
Server.

Has anyone else found a solution to this please?

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Stuart,

Exactly which game was this?

At this point, I would suggest that you use System Restore to restore your computer back to
before the game was installed (click Start, then Help & Support, then "Undo changes to my
computer using System Restore"), then reinstall DirectX 9a, and then reinstall the game.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com