windows messenger won't sign me in...

[katia]

hello. for the past few months the msn messenger on my
computer won't let me sign in. i was on a university
ethernet service and recently went back home to my
parents' rural dial-up connection. today, i received a
message from the msn.com people saying that i needed to
update my windows messenger to version 4.7.2000. i did so
and now it won't let me sign in. when i attempt to sign
in, an error message comes up that tells me that either
my sign-in name or password is not valid. they are both
valid, my sign-in name is a hotmail address that i check
every day and i have not changed nor altered my password
since this started happening. i think it must have
something to do with security settings, but i don't
recall changing any. could one of you please help me fix
my computer and tell me what i need to do to be able to
run messenger again?

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Katia,

Here are some suggestions you might want to check/try:

1. The date on your computer needs to be set properly -- double click the clock verify that
the time and date are set.
2. If your password information is not saved, verify that you are typing it in with the
correct case (uppercase or lowercase).
3. Change your password @ http://memberservicesnet.passport.com/memberservice.srf, then try
signing in again.
4. If you use a firewall (like ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security etc. ), it's possible
that Messenger doesn't have the correct rights to access the Internet, especially since you
upgraded. You may need to re/add Messenger to the allowed list of programs in your firewall
if this is the case.
5. If you disabled your firewall in the past, it still may be blocking Messenger -- try
restarting it and see if that helps the situation. You also might try uninstalling an
installed firewall, to verify that it isn't causing a problem (even if it is disabled).
6. Clear your IE cache and cookies -- open Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, then
Internet Options, then click the Delete Files button, and when that's complete click the
Delete Cookies button.
7. Check your IE Security settings -- open Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, then
Internet Options, then Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section, and verify that "Check
for server certificate revocation" is unchecked. Also verify that 'Use SSL 2.0' and Use SSL
3.0' is checked, then click OK.
8. Click Start, then Run, and enter the following:
regsvr32 softpub.dll
then click OK

Then try again.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com