Greetings Faith,
Firstly, see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302089
Go through the applicable steps, except when choosing 'Do not allow Windows Messenger to
run', be sure it's set to Disabled. Then check the registry method (the last method listed
on the page), instead of setting a 'PreventRun' DWORD, delete it (as above with the Hide
Messenger DWORD). You will need to reboot to see the change.
If that's not the cause, do you happen to have DirectX 9 installed (it may have been
installed with a game or demo as well)? To check, click Start, then Run, enter "dxdiag" and
click OK. In the first window that appears, you'll see "DirectX version" listed, if it's 9,
then upgrade to DirectX 9a:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/downloads/drx90.asp
If your DirectX version is listed as 8.1, then this isn't the problem.
Finally, in none of this worked or applies, you can try a full reinstallation of Windows
Messenger:
Click the start button, then click Run and type in (copy-paste if you like):
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
Then click OK.
Messenger will then be uninstalled. For more detailed instructions and screenshots, go to,
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/problem.aspx?ID=7
Then reboot, click "Yes" to remove your personal settings, and then reinstall from:
http://messenger.microsoft.com/download/download.asp?client=0.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources -
http://messenger.jonathankay.com