Windows Vista and chatting programs?

Hi all-
I recently purchased a laptop that runs on Windows Vista. I'm used to XP, and to stay in contact with friends I use MSN Messenger, AIM, or Skype. Through Vista I'm able to download all these programs but using them is a completely different issue. I cannot sign onto any of them, with the exception of MSN, which I can do if I right click the shortcut and choose the option "Run as administrator". However this does not work for AIM or Skype. Even when I can open MSN, I cannot make video or audio calls. Is it possible something as seemingly advanced as Windows Vista wouldn't allow a program made by its own company to run properly? I thought at first it may be the firewall, but I've noticed people with Vista in general share the same problem, not to mention I was able to run these programs with the firewall I have now (Norton). If anyone has any information on how to solve this, it would be much appreciated, it's a pretty big limitation in terms of staying in contact with people on the international scale...

 

Perhaps these links will help.

http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?mkt=en-GB&setlang=en-GB&q=skype+with+Vista
http://search.microsoft.com/results...0=Search&FORM=QBME1&l=1&mkt=en-GB&PageType=99
http://search.microsoft.com/results...0=Search&FORM=QBME1&l=1&mkt=en-GB&PageType=99
Skypes message on Vista
http://share.skype.com/sites/garage/2007/04/windows_vista_and_skype.html

Skype forum on skype and Vista.
http://forum.skype.com/lofiversion/index.php/t87862.html



Another thing you can try is to run Skype using Windows Compatibility Mode. This option can help you use programs that worked well on older versions of Windows, but are giving you nightmares in Vista (or any Windows platform).

 

Thanks for those links, I keep trying but I'm unsuccessful. Some of my flatmates are saying it has something to do with the proxy settings, perhaps the university network. Is there an easy way to change the settings? Any help is greatly appreciated

 

There are several links within those links, sorry that I have no extra knowledge on this. :duck
Sometimes the proxy settings are purposely governed by the University, as to what they might not want students to access - could be worth asking around if that is the case, as to proxy settings.......
Perhaps someone else at majorgeeks can help on that.

 

thank you! i've gotten skype to work now, both with calling and webcam, so i'll try get all my friends to use that since i'm still unsuccessful with aim and msn (for webcamming). thanks anyway!