MSN Messenger Problem

[Dellgloom]

Hello. Im having a problem with MSN messenger. I dunno where to start. Well theres a computer and a laptop, both running windows XP with service pack 2. They are both connected to the internet through a Netgear DG834GT ADSL Router, the computer thorugh network cable and the laptop via Netgear WG511T Wireless PC Card. The ISP is AOL. MSN messenger wont work, ive tried with both 6.2 and 7. When you go to advanced connection and try to connect through TCP and HTTP they both say "sucess, you are able to connect" but it still wont sign in. It brings up an error but i cant remember the error number as its not my pc. The thing is if you type an incorrect password it instantly comes up and says "wrong password" but if you type it right it just trys to sign in for ages, before bringing up the error. So....if it cant make a connection at all how does it know my password is wrong? I have been told msn has never worked on the laptop, even though the internet and network is fine. I was asked to take a look at the computer as it had problems where windows wouldnt run exe's, i didnt know how to fix it so i just did a clean format. After the format the internet worked fine but messenger wouldnt work on this too, it does exactly the same as the laptop. Also they both refuse to load up any microsoft websites. This has left me really confused, do you think maybe aol has blocked the ports? as I have exactly the same router at home and MSN works fine for me (i dont have aol), i even had a go at setting up port forwarding but this didnt help. I was told messenger did work on the computer for a while after the new router was installed, but never on the laptop, since then its totally stopped working on both. Please help. :blacpuz

[fdjc4]

try iloveim (http://www.iloveim.com/) for signing into msn

i havent a clue for the fact you cannot access MS webpages, maybe there is some software that wasnt installed needed to acces these pages? like MS network software?

if windows update works give that a go and you may find an answer, hope that helps you.

[Dellgloom]

Yeah I told them to use a web based messenger, www.e-messenger.net was the one i suggested as the official MSN web messenger wouldnt load up (as its a microsoft website). But as its not my pc this just wont do....you know how fussy women are ;) , she wants the proper one working. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[arckane]

Gotta be the router. You could try disabling the firewall and retry connecting to see if that is the real issue.

Also, give aMSN a try (http://amsn.sourceforge.net)

[Dellgloom]

I dont think you can turn the router's firewall off. Its set to allow all outbound services though. But my router at home is set up exactly the same and I have no problem with msn. Is there a chance that it could be something to do with AOL?

[Dellgloom]

I take it everyone is as stumped with this as i am. :)

[Goins001]

Lol, most of us probably don't use AOL....for good reason. I'd go over the router again. Look at things you normally wouldn't think of. And goto another PC if you can get on microsofts website with that error code you said come up and see if you can find out if they already have a fix for this.

[Dellgloom]

Yeah AOL is poo. Can you change the port that messenger connects through?

[fdjc4]

yes on msn 7 anyway:
tools->options->Connection->advanced settings
in there i think u can change port settings and so on, i dont need to so i havent done any messing about with it but as you have a problem u may as well go for it.