MSN help needed, please

[Mary from Italy]

I'm not usually computer-illiterate, but I'm getting stuck here. I need to have MSN up and running in time for the first Advisory Committee meeting tomorrow evening, and it's defeating me.

I went to the MSN site and downloaded the Messenger program offered for Windows 2000, which is what I have. I downloaded and installed it, and the version it gave me is Messenger 7.0.

However, when I try to sign in, it says there's a new version available, and I can't sign in without it - do I want it? If I say no, I can't sign in, if I say yes, it says it can't find the program and takes me back to the page of the MSN site where I originally downloaded 7.0.

The latest version seems to be 8.5, but from a quick Google, I get the impression that it won't work with Windows 2000.

Anyone know what I should be doing?

[KiteRunner]

I don't know, but I still have version 7 and it is still letting me use it (on Windows ME). It's so annoying when it keeps telling you to upgrade to a version that isn't supposed to work on your computer when all you want to be able to do is to send instant messages. I don't really know how we got round that in the end last time round, to be honest, so I hope someone can help you.

[Kath nr the Crooked Spire]

If you try -In messenger tools - options - you will find a connectivity troubleshooter

Tools is the tiny drop down arrow on the right hand side

Maybe you will have to delete it and download it again.

Last week when I signed in I got the message that a new version was available, once I started to download, it said I already had a higher version installed.

[borobabs]

I went back from newer version to 7-0 as didnt like the new one but still let me sign in ;;
Hope you get sorted dear ;;;;

[Mary from Italy]

Ah, I hadn't got as far as looking at Tools - Options, thanks.

In the meantime I've discovered that my version is 7.0.0816, and I've found a page where I can download 7.0.0820, which is compatible with Win2000, and I hope will solve the problem.

[Mary from Italy]

OK, panic over, version 0820 seems to have worked.

Now to find out how it works. I may select a victim to try it out on if anyone's online

[Mary from Italy]

OK, it seems to be working all right.

Is anyone still awake that I can practise on? I had a quick look in the Members' list, but the people whose MSN addies are listed don't seem to be online.

[Mary from Italy]

Is there any way of getting rid of the wretched ads?

[Mary from Italy]

OK, I seem to have everything working properly, and I've just had a practice conversation with Elaine, who kindly volunteered.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

All I need to do now is remember not to keep hitting Enter...

[Kath nr the Crooked Spire]

Sorry Mary I had gone to bed, but I'm glad you got it to work.
I was wondering if you had anyone to practise with once you had got it working.

I still sometimes press enter at the end of the line before I have finished what I want to say; I'm usually talking to the grand children so having to concentrate hard to understand their 'text' type spellings.

[Guest]

what ads ????????? I dont get any

[Mary from Italy]

I get them at the bottom of the page, below where it says "search the Web".

I never use Internet Explorer normally, so I don't have any kind of adblocker for it, but MSN won't work without it.

[Guest]

I have never noticed them Mary ,and by the way congratulations for winning that post I voted for you.

[Mary from Italy]

Thanks, Val

If you haven't noticed the ads I should think you aren't getting them, because they're quite intrusive - a moving flash ad, and sometimes a pop-up photo.

How are you getting on with Firefox, by the way, or did you go back to IE?

[Guest]

I use both depends what I'm doing I quite like firefox now thankshttp://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/06/23/remove-ads-from-windows-live-messenger-with-a-patch-and-customize-messenger-options-and-visualisation/
have a look at that

[Mary from Italy]

Oh, well done, I hadn't started googling for solutions yet, thanks.

[Guest]

sorry Mary went off to get a proper link forgot I had not taken that off hope you find it okay