What version of messenger are  you using, and did you recently apply some windows updates?  There is another messenger, trillian, that will use your regular msn sign in.  It is free and you can often use it to sign in using your messenger signin when msn has its head in the sand.  For what its worth, my messenger has been spotty today.

I have windows live messenger, I think updates happen automatic on my puter. System restore an option? I am no computer genious! I had trillion before, a few years back. I have only had this new puter of mine on line for 3 months.......I will give trillion a try or can I install an older version of messenger and keep this one?

Thank you  HGP

Once again, Greenie

Well, I had this problem awhile ago with windows messenger after some windows updates.  I did uninstall and go back to an earlier version but I missed windows live messenger.  I looked around and on a forum I found that one windows update messed up the registry settings.  There was a utility I downloaded and it cleaned out the settings in question.  I wished I had done that earlier because I lost some of the graphics I had been using.  I don't know if this is your problem or not.  I'll try and find that site again.  In the meantime, trillian will work if it is the same problem.  Its good for a fall back utility.

Still looking.  There is this other thing that might help, and its good to know about anyway.  It lets you use your browser for a messenger and can be used on computers that are not your own.  Its called MSN web messenger... http://webmessenger.msn.com/default.aspx?R=1

Well, it was really quite awhile ago.   I can't find that old post.  I'm not sure it was the same problem anyway.  What happened was the registry settings got messed up because of a windows update.  I downloaded a utility that cleared the windows messenger registry.  I needed the utility because uninstalling that particular messenger didn't delete the registry settings so reinstalling the messenger didn't change those settings.  An older version might help, but I think if I were you I would use the web messenger or something for a few days to see if your own messenger doesn't come back. 

 

You might try doing  a routine cleanup and defrag routine.  System restore would be a last resort kind of choice.  It tends to bother too many other things.

Thank You HGP!

I also have dial up so these things take time and I have to cook and do laundry in between too! You help is so greatly appreciated

Many hugs!

and I will be back with more ?'s if needed

No problem.  Actually, there isn't even a download for the webmessenger.  It's very similar to your own messenger, the signin shows your buddy list as you last saw it.  Its just a messenger that you sign into using a browser.