Windows Live Messenger problem

[cazzz1975]

My windows live messenger will let me log on, however all my contacts are classed as "offline" even when they are not, people can send me messeges, but I cannot reply to them, I get an error message.

I have tried uninstalling it and reinstalling it, closing it, opening it, messing about with my settings, putting my settings back to normal...to no avail

any ideas?

[AlBags]

Have you tried deleting all the cookies from the site, and temp files, restarting browser and trying again?

[cazzz1975]

no, I will give that a go

why the hell did I not think of that :o

[AlBags]

I know you don't run a browser to use it .. (must be some login info in temp folder somewhere)

[cazzz1975]

thanks btw ;)

[AlBags]

(I can't remember what it keeps and where .. been a long time since used MSN Messenger!) A.

[AlBags]

Be around for a while NP.

[cazzz1975]

it hasnt worked :

it may have started when downloaded IE9, I cant quite recall..

[AlBags]

So you did the IE9 thing? Is that working ok for now?
You get a block when you try to login or stays same (returns to login again) ?

[AlBags]

are you on 7 Cazzz?

[cazzz1975]

yes Im on windows 7

it lets me log in but it keeps saying everyone is offline, even when they are not, I cannot msg them either

[AlBags]

Cazzz
Go to Internet Options in IE9 and look for privacy Settings ..
Alter minimum security settings (allow all) and try that again.

[AlBags]

I'm poking around on web for answers ...
A lot of documented Windows Live/Messenger problems after installing IE9 :(

[cazzz1975]

nope, hasnt worked :(

yes I noticed a lot of probs on google, though no one mentioned about people being seen as offline automatically even when they were online

[cazzz1975]

yet my daughters PC which is also windows 7 has no problems with windows live messenger

[AlBags]

Hmmm
First, I'd look in the user temp folder and delete all I could find (that actually will delete) TBH.
Do you access any other WL services? Tried them?

[ChuckFickens]

Delete the messenger contacts folder, it's in c:\user\<username>\appdata\local\microsoft...



I can't remember exactly what the contacts folder is called, but it should be pretty obvious.

You'll need to make sure messenger is totally closed and set the computer to show hidden and system files before you can find it and delete it.

[AlBags]

You think the Contacts folder gets corrupted? That may cause an issue.

[cazzz1975]

argh I cant find that path

I have c:\users\(username)\

I have no "appdata"

[cazzz1975]

update:

firstly thank you guys for your assistance, the problem was a corrupt contact list, initially I couldnt find appdata, however I discovered it was a hidden file so once I found it and deleted it, my messenger started working properly again