MSN Messenger not working!

In our house, there are 2 computers: - an old one that is using windows 98, and a new one using windows XP. MSN messenger hasn't worked on the old computer for about a week now, but it does on the new one. When we try to sign in, it gives the following message:

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/..._messenger.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/...messenger2.jpg
The top pic is the message it gives us, and the bottom one is the page it gives us when we click on help (http://messenger.msn.co.uk/Status.aspx). The page does say it's temporarily having problems, so do you think that if we leave it a while, it'll go away?

I'd like to know if anyone knows how to fix this problem - especially if you've had it, and fixed it :).

We have already tried to reinstall msn messenger, but that doesn't work :eek:, so any other suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

Edit: Sorry about the image - it should be fixed now.

[image issue was fixed]

What kind of connection method do you use with the Internet?
Are you running a LAN and a router is doing the connection, or is one PC connected directly and uses ICS to share the connection?

u need some
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=msnm
go on that download any of the msn versions
get the most recent one before the one you have on ure 98 pc and if that doenst work go for the one before it and try again jsut keep doing that till you get one that works
i had this problem
its rather odd, but now im running 2000...best operating system for windows in my opinion
thats how i fixed my problem when i had a crap compaq running 98
should work

if not then you can always use http://www.e-messenger.net/ online msn messenger without installing jack!

or go to gaim.sourceforge.net & use gaim

Paul - I'll check the proxy server thing as soon as I can - my brother is playing a game on that computer right now. Yes we have tried different login information on both computers, but they both worked on the new one, and didn't on the old one. I don't think anything was installed when the problem occured.

Pete - if pauls suggestions don't work, then I'll try downloading previous versions.

Thanks - it's not a HUGE problem (we'll be reformatting the hard drive soon), just very annoying.

OK, I think I've found out what's causing the problem, but I don't know how to stop it. When I tried to unistall the version of MSN messenger we had, I found 2 problems:

1) There are actually two versions installed on our system - 6.1 and 6.2.
2) When I tried to install both versions, it said they didn't exist/weren't installed.

So is there a way to properly uninstall MSN, so that a previous version can be put in? Could I change something in the registry (you'd have to show me how - I haven't a clue!).

Could someone tell me which version of msn messenger is the latest, because I read somewhere that it was 6.2. Therefore, if that's true, I don't know how I can have it partially installed on my system (along with 6.1).

6.2 is the latest

but i'm still not sure why you'd rather tit about with the official client & the mess it has created than use a Free alternative

I'd rather use the official client than some copy tbh.

And my god... That colour scheme... :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Howard

I'd rather use the official client than some copy tbh.

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using Internext Explorer, howard?

Internet Explorer? Yep

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Howard

Internet Explorer? Yep

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the same internet explorer that can infect you with viruses just from viewing regular web pages (most notable ebay & paypal were affected within the past couple of weeks), and that the us department of homeland security (who issue terrorist alerts) have told people to stop using it or they risk having all their private data stolen (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...c_cmp/22103407)? or another internet explorer i'm not aware of?

Well, the actual link for the Cert website is here .

You'll notice that "use an alternative browser" is listed as the final option in the list of work arounds.

Also, does everyone realize that IE is not the only browser to have vunerabilities?

The Secunia web site has a list that may be worth reading.

Whilst changing browsers for a home user is no big deal, you got to remember that for some organisations, it's not an option.

Edit:

Before this thread gets WAY off track, lets have any IE/Firefox/browser debates in a separate thread :)

Quote:

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Before this thread gets WAY off track, lets have any IE/Firefox/browser debates in a separate thread

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I agree - I don't think anyone has anyswered my question yet. Is it possible to do something with the registry to make MSN properly uninstalled on both versions, or will it just never work?

Also - don't just suggest using some other instant messaging program - I like MSN. It's easy to use, and most people use it.