windows live messenger stops working on vista

Hi,

I really need some help here.

Everytime I start messenger, it just tells me it stopped working and doesnt have a solution. My system restore does not work even though its enabled. I have norton 360 and scanned, I uninstalled - reinstalled, and many more things including using zap.

I have exhausted myself looking for a solution to this.

 

vista huh? never had issues with it on vista. I did find the most useful tool though, REVO uninstaller. If you use it on messenger then it could really uninstall it by removing all the crap in the registry, settings; etc.

Have you turned certain windows features on or off? This could hinder it possibly, I'd have to look. But stopped working doesn't suggest that so I would say make sure you uninstall it from every nook and cranny. Then go to the microsoft download center and reinstall the program.

AIM messenger pro was my preference for instant messaging though. I don't like Live very much. Norton might be finding issues in the way live is executing though. Not sure if you pass files through the messenger or not but if you do I'd say look into FTP.

You might need to update AIM, vista is at service pack 2 and I'm not sure what new releases have been made to date but it could have become a compatability issue if you're running an old version. Then I'm telling myself you used that link in the start menu to download and install it and have automatic updates on, but have you told microsoft to notify you of software updates? Did you install via essentials or...? I'd say use the download center.

internet searches seem to suggest it could be a manufacturer patch that is needed as well. its suggested more than once to use the microsoft communities for answers one the microsoft website. they have one dedicated to the live messenger. hmm, better stop cross referencing forums before i get hit with a ToS.

revo is best found via pc magazine or searching cnet affiliates. they haven't seemed to master web security yet, but they know that registry. Its an excellent tool.

if system restore isn't working but is enabled it could be that you use something like crap cleaner and have it set to delete restore points, or don't have enough space on your hard drive to maintain restore points. what you can do is surf to the windows live safety scanner and ask it to fix the problem for you. its really intrusive though so consider sending your details to microsoft on completion. that's at onecare.live.com (isn't that funny I was just telling a dude they took it out and there is the live scanner, guess it was just the retail boxes!)

as far as your restore points check to see that the windows service volume shadow copies is on. If its off, but system restore is on, it won't work. They both ahve to be on.

 

more info:

I have a laptop and its hp. I tried turning off my firewall and it still doesnt work

 

ftd strange I have completely removed messenger live and its componants including the risidual stuff like the registery. Ill give that program a shot ty but I dont think its going to work

edit more info I have gotten it back to work but then after 2 or 3 uses it stops and never begins again with the same message

 

yes my drive is checked under system. I used that program you mentioned and it seems to like done an excellent job so im waiting for the microsoft malicious software removal tool to finish scanning its gonna take a while, before I install messenger again.

 

still doesnt work any other ideas?

 

BTW,

Revo can be found here at MG, the preferred download site;

http://www.moonvalley.com/products/rwavdc/enable.htm

I'd open an elevated command prompt and type
sfc /scannow

Noting the space before the /

You at the least have some system file issues, not being able to run system restore is a serious problem.

If the above doesn't help, even though I know you have Norton, I'd run the malware removal process;

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Doesn't hurt to go through this on ocassion.

Then start a thread there and have your logs inspected. While scans are helpful, many time the removal is manual.

 

brandy I did the whole process you said and theres nothing found plus messenger still doesnt work.

my log

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4337

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18928

21/07/2010 9:40:27 PM
mbam-log-2010-07-21 (21-40-27).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 384769
Time elapsed: 2 hour(s), 4 minute(s), 18 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

 

Messenger should be giving you an error code- numeric or alpha-numeric. Post teh code.

Do you have restore points to choose from? If yes- then disconnect from the net and disable your AV and give it a shot. Many times an antivirus stops system restore from executing successfully.

Cheers..

 

windows live messenger has stopped working a problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available.

thats all it says.

I have no more restore points because I toggled system restore.

 

Here's a link. Not the same error message but... Quite a bit to check up on.
http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!8B3F39C76A8B853F!15940.entry

Did you go through the steps here to uninstall WLM. http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!8B3F39C76A8B853F!15378.entry

Before you toggled SR were there any points to choose from? If there were, then disabling the AV and running in safe mode may have worked. Happened to me on a few instances.

Cheers..

 

I tried everything you said. I logged on briefly and it said the same message and shut down, cant start it after that

 

update - if I sign in through the web, messenger works. Only if I start signing in using the icon it starts crashing.

 

Are you using any third party theme software ie: windblinds if so try this solution go to my computer,c drive programs folder navigate to the windows live folder then the contacts folder with in that folder locate the wlcomm.exe file right click on it and select properties from the drop down menu click on the compatibility tab and tick the box for disable visual themes and press apply close to desk top and try the program see if that fixes the problem. good luck

 

I tried it it worked for a while but then crashed once I changed my name in msgr options?

 

Wow no one can help me with this I sign in through the website get into my emails and then load messenger and it works but after signing in my other account it crashes so I have to end messenger process and do it all over again whyyyyy?

 

You may have fixed this by now. Had the same issue recently on a vista machine. Drove me bonkers! Messenger would crash on launch. A sys restore and messenger would work just once, and crash the next time!?
http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=17e5dddf-4156-4725-a1a5-f3a10a76e12f

Ran the Fix it and all's well.
Cheers..