Can't log on to Msn Messenger

salvasmr · Mar 09, 2008, 21:14:11

Hi,

I can't log on to messenger for almost a week. I can access hotmail,and I haven't changed anything on my modem/router. Actually, none of my housemates can access messenger and we run a mix between OSX and Windows Xp, so the problem is surely port related ?

Appreciate any help!

Thanks

Sebby · Mar 09, 2008, 21:43:10

and have a karma!

When you say you can't log on, do you get an error message?

Simon · Mar 09, 2008, 21:45:32

Hi, and

Could it be that messenger has changed, through an update (?), and your firewall is now blocking it?

Lance · Mar 09, 2008, 23:05:29

Myself and my partner have been using it fine, so it does seem to be a router issue. Quite what though, i'm not sure. $:-\$

J!ll · Mar 09, 2008, 23:20:44

No problems here either

Dangerjunkie · Mar 10, 2008, 01:11:19

Hi,

Which client are you using? Is it up to date? Have you tried a different one?

Over the last couple of months I've had to switch from Pidgin to Kopete (on Linux) and back again when each mysteriously stopped working for a week or two at different times. I assumed MS had messed with the protocol or the servers.

If the client has a cache, it might be worth dumping it and then signing in from cold in case something has changed on the server.

Good luck,
Paul.

salvasmr · Mar 10, 2008, 17:27:27

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I've tried deleting the preferences, Zapping the whole application using Appzapper, re-downloading,re-installing, using another client "Adium" and editing any firewall settings on the preferences of my mac.

Still can't connect.
The error message I get is the following: "sign in to microsoft messenger failed because the service is not available or you may not be connected to the internet"

It is the same error for all my housemates (we are 5)... This just happened out of the bloom about a week ago.

Rik · Mar 10, 2008, 17:30:06

Unfortunately, I don't use Messenger, so can't offer you any constructive advice. IDNet don't block ports, so it's not likely to be that. If it started affecting everyone at the same time, my initial suspicions would fall on the router. What are you using, have you tried re-booting it?

salvasmr · Mar 10, 2008, 17:36:14

Quick Update

Using this other 3rd partie application called Adium, at first I couldn't connect, but on the preferences menu I noticed it was trying to connect through messenger.hotmail.com login server on port 1863 but connection was failling. I then clicked on an option that called for "Connect via Http", and it connected!

Can someone explain what happened here ? I'm trying to set the same settings for messenger application, but can't, and so, still can't connect with the original msn messenger application... (I really don't wish to change applications and want to continue using msn's messenger)

Rik · Mar 10, 2008, 17:38:02

It sounds like you need to open the port in your router.

salvasmr · Mar 10, 2008, 17:44:16

I think that should be it, just don't know what port. Also, using Adium failed, messages don't get through...

Rik · Mar 10, 2008, 17:59:44

It sounds like it would be port 1863, but as I say, I don't use Messenger. Would connecting over HTTP be such a problem?

Lance · Mar 10, 2008, 20:24:58

Microsoft give all the port numbers you need to open, here. Although i've never needed to do this.

Dangerjunkie · Mar 13, 2008, 08:34:34

There's a combined messenger (just about all of the protocols) called Pidgin. Might be worth a try. It's working for me on MSN right now. You can get it at http://www.pidgin.im/

Cheers,
Paul.

Simon · Mar 13, 2008, 09:53:27

There's also Trillian.