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I tried to download the latest MSN Messenger but failed. So I completed “System restore.” I am back to original MSN Messenger, but when signed in it does not show any of my contacts. How to restore this?

This is going to be one of those problems that might take a bit of playing around to get the right solution for it. Simply follow each of the suggestions until you get the correct one.

Retrieving MSN Messenger Contacts through Windows Live Messenger

MSN Messenger is a popular application that facilitates communication via the Internet. Since MSN Messenger is actually an older version of Windows Live Messenger, you might be able to access your missing contacts by following this set of directions if you also have a Windows Live Messenger account.

1)      Log into Windows Live Messenger

2)      Navigate to “File.”

3)      Select “Save contact list.”

4)      Name the file something like “MSN contacts” and save it to your desktop.

5)      Open your MSN Messenger and attempt to import the file by selecting “Contacts” and then “Import instant messaging contacts.”

Retrieving MSN Messenger Contacts through Windows Messenger

If you have a Windows Messenger account, follow these steps to retrieve your contact list.

1)      Log into Windows Messenger

2)      Navigate to “File.”

3)      Select “Save contact list.”

4)      Name the file something like “MSN contacts” and save it to your desktop.

5)      Open your MSN Messenger and attempt to import the file by selecting “Contacts” and then “Import instant messaging contacts.”

Retrieving MSN Messenger Contacts through Tools

Open your MSN Messenger account and log in. Navigate to the top menu and select “Tools.” Select “Options.” Now, select the “Network” tab. Select “MSN.” Select “Server list.” Your contacts should be listed there. If they are, then you can add them to your contact list using the stars next to the names

How to Add Non Instant Messaging Contacts through MSN Mail

This next strategy will take time, but it is an option that is open to you. In order to add your non-instant messaging contacts through your mail, follow these steps:

1)      Go to your list of “mail” contacts.

2)      Select the “contact.”

3)      Click on “edit.”

4)      Select “use with Windows MSN Messenger.”

On Yahoo, one of my contacts only get kicked off when he is talking to me and besides that there are times when my webcam works and his doesn’t? He is my only contact on Yahoo as I use MSN for other contacts and never had that problem there. Any ideas?

Update the Version of Yahoo

If the two of you are using different versions of Yahoo that could account for the problems that you are experiencing. Talk to the other person and find out whether you are both using the latest version of the application. If one of you (or both of you) have not updated to the latest available version, do so now and the problem should be resolved.

Clear the Temporary Cache on Internet Explorer

It is quite likely that this problem will resolve itself once you clear out the Internet or browser cache and history. Follow these steps:

1)      Open up “Internet Explorer.”

2)      Select “Tool” from the top.

3)      Select “Internet Options” from the list.

4)      Click the “General Tab” from the top.

5)      Select “Temporary Internet Files” by checking off the box.

6)      Select “Delete Cookies” by checking off the box.

7)      Select “Delete Files” by checking off the box.

8)      Select “ok.”

Yahoo and Webcam

Lots of different reasons can account for problems with webcams. Even if you have no problem issues mentioned here, you need to check with your contact to see if he does. This service requires the user to provide a birth date that indicates that the user is over the age of 13 at the time of registration. This information can easily be entered incorrectly, so you might want to check it anyway.

Any individuals that you attempt to contact must be included on your Messenger list. If not, then their webcam will not work.

Your camera might not be compatible with this Messenger service. Please check this link for a list of compatible cameras: Help Yahoo Webcam.

Additionally, it is possible that the camera might be malfunctioning at the time. Make sure that the settings for “Camera Source” have been set up properly in Messenger.

Reinstall Yahoo Messenger

It is possible that your version of Yahoo! Messenger has somehow become corrupted. The only step to take here is to reinstall it.

Today, we had two similar questions concerning Windows Live Messenger and MSN not working and will address them together.

Question 1: Over the past few days my Windows Live Messenger hasn’t been working. I have been signing on fine and it says that I am online but all my contacts see me as offline, apart from a few who see me as online, I’ve uninstalled WLM a few times and it still doesn’t work, also my friend tried her account on my computer and it worked perfectly fine. Help?

Troubleshooting Windows Live Messenger

Known WLM Error

This is a problem that has been occurring recently to several Windows Live Messenger users, with no published address or solution from Microsoft so far. Like you, others have been unsuccessful when uninstalling and reinstalling the program, but have found a way around the issue. Unfortunately, it involves a bit of effort. I can’t guarantee that this fix will work, but it has worked for others so it is probably worth a try.

Delete and Re-Add your Contacts

First of all, with your contacts list saved in your hotmail account, delete all of your contacts from your Windows Live Messenger account.

Delete Cookies

Next, delete your cookies.

• In Internet Explorer, click Tools, then Internet Options
• When the Internet Options window opens, find and select Delete Cookies under the General tab
• Click OK

Delete Temporary Internet Files

You should also remove your temporary Internet files in case there is a corrupt file interfering with Messenger. To delete your Internet files:

• Close any open windows and quit Internet Explorer and Windows
• Click the Start button and then click twice on Internet Options
• Click the General tab, then click Delete Files from the Temporary Internet Files tab
• A Delete Files dialog box will open, choose Delete All Offline Content by checking the box
• Click OK, then OK again

Once you’ve made these changes you should restart your computer to allow the new configuration to take effect.

Re-import your WLM Contacts

Now, open Windows Live Messenger and re-import your contacts list. Your contacts will all receive notices to re-add you, but then you should be working again.

Question 2: My MSN won’t work. A code comes up saying “pyagcore.search,searchdetecti” then in middle of box says NULL. I have tried to uninstall the program but it still doesn’t work.

Run Complete Virus Scans to Get Rid of the PYAGCOR/Kiwee Toolbar Virus

Actually, the pyagcor.search message that you are getting is related to a malware program called kiwee, not to MSN. You need run updated virus scans right away. First, update your software by visiting the manufacturers’ websites and looking for any new releases, then run the scans. Take the scans’ recommended advice to treat the infected files and then run the scans until they come back clean. In the future, make sure to keep your antivirus, spyware and adware security software up to date with definitions and upgrades.

Hi. I am just wondering if I don’t want to use Yahoo Messenger but would like to go on Java Chat, can I do that? If so, how? Thanks.

Lots of Java Chat Rooms are available including Free Teen Chat for 13 to 19 year olds, Singles Chat Rooms, Adults Chat Rooms, Meet Sexy Local Singles Chat Rooms, and more. If I am correct, you are asking how you can go on Java Chats offered by Yahoo Messenger but through a different avenue. This is possible to do and you have a few different options to use.

About Java Chat Rooms

Although Java Chat Rooms are found through the Yahoo and MSN networks, it isn’t necessary to go through Yahoo Messenger to access them. Quite a number of alternative chat clients are available including Pidgin and Miranda IM.

How to Access Java Chat Rooms: Pidgin

In order to enter and participate in the Java Chat Rooms in Pidgin, you need to sign up and set up an account for yourself. This is actually a lot simpler than it sounds.

Once you set up an account in Pidgin, you can set it up so that you can access your accounts in Yahoo. To download Pidgin, visit this link: Pidgin. Follow these steps:

• Open your Pidgin account and click on the tab for “Accounts” that is located at the top.
• In the drop down menu that appears, select “Manage.”
• In the dialog box that is generated, click on the tab labeled “Add.” You’ll find it at the bottom on the left-hand side of the page.
• In the dialog box that is generated, click on the arrow for the drop down menu next to “Protocol.”
• Select “Yahoo.”
• Type in the username and password that you use. You can also include an alias, use a buddy icon, or select to receive email notifications.

How to Access Java Chat Rooms: Miranda IM

In order to enter and participate in the Java Chat Rooms in Miranda IM, you need to sign up and set up an account for yourself. To download Miranda IM, visit this link: Miranda IM. To access a tutorial on how to set up and use Miranda IM, visit this link: Miranda IM Quick Start.

Somebody hacked my MSN ID and now asking for money. What do I need to do?

You need to act quickly with this type of problem so I am glad that you are searching for the proper steps. MSN has set up an excellent source of help with this type of problem. Unfortunately, people are hacking into personal accounts more frequently than ever before. Follow the steps listed here to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Getting Help When Your MSN ID Has Been Hacked into

Follow these directions as closely as possible to report this incidence at once.

1)      Open the home page for “My MSN.”

2)      In the lower right-hand corner, look for the “Help Central” link and click on it.

3)      In the search box that appears near the top left of the webpage, type in the phrase “Account hacked.” Press Enter.

4)      Click the link that says “What do I do if I think someone is using my Windows Live ID?”

5)      When the next page appears, click on the link that says “Report to Microsoft.” You should see it near the top of the page. Complete the page that is generated for you.

6)      For the problem, type in something like “sign in and password” and then in the drop down menu that is located below, select the option “I think someone has hijacked or hacked my logon credentials.”

Protect Yourself in the Future

No matter how tedious it might be to do so, create a strong password in the future for each of your online accounts. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself from hackers. Follow these steps to access directions on how to create a strong password:

1)      Use a combination of letters and numbers.

2)      Use a combination of upper and lower case.

3)      Do not repeat any numbers or letters

Follow these steps to access directions on how to create a strong secret answer:

Click the link that says “How do I create a strong secret answer?”

Additionally, check all of the information that you have included in your profile. Make sure that alternate emails that do not belong to you aren’t listed in the profile. This is important if you want to prevent the hacker from getting back in.

My husband had to redo our PC because it crashed. He got back up disc to do this but now I cannot get MSN on with IM’s - please can you help me?

There may be an easy way to recover your MSN if you are using Windows 98. In Windows 98, MSN Version 5.0 is a core component of Windows 98 Second edition and can’t be easily uninstalled and reinstalled. There is a utility you can use off of the original CD-ROM that can reinstall MSN for you.

MSN Utility

Get the Windows 98 Second Edition CD-ROM and insert it in your computer. Find the CD ROM and you can either go to Tools and find the Mtsutil\Rstormsn folder, or find the Named box and type in: Rstormsn.exe. Double click on it to open it and reinstall MSN.

You can also use the Msoobe.exe utility to restore it. Go to Start and then Run. In the open dialog box, type in c:\windows\system\oobe\msoobe.exe/x. This will open the MSN Internet Access Wizard so follow the instructions. This is said to work for Windows 98, but as long as your system is backed up properly, you can try it with other versions of Windows to see if it will restore MSN on that system.

MSN Messenger

It is easy enough to go to the MSN website and get the MSN messenger download. All you have to do is get a .NET passport using any email address. Then you sign in, use your .NET address, open IM and add new contacts. If you sign in using your old .NET passport information, you should be able to access your old contact list, although I haven’t tried it.

If you have to establish a new MSN account, it appears that there is no easy way to reestablish your contact list without choosing new contacts and starting over. There are many ways to recover a lost MSN password if you have that issue, but no way to restore your contacts without a backup.

Hopefully, this will help you get back up and running with MSN instant messenger. Let us know if we can help you further.