14 DAY TRIAL // The next generation Windows Live Messenger is susceptible to similar sign in problems as its predecessor, and sometime end users need to take matters into their own hands in order to resolve issues. Especially in scenarios in which problems are on their side, rather than on Microsoft’s servers where the company’s instant messaging service is hosted. An illustrative example in this regard involves sign in problems associated with a corrupted Windows Live Messenger cache.
According to various users of Windows Live Messenger Wave 4 Beta, which have complained on forums, the IM client can lock them out completely. This is the message presented to Beta testers when users can’t sign in: “Signing into Windows Live Messenger Beta failed because the service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. Error Code: 80010100.”
Apparently, this is a recurrent problem with Windows Live Messenger, and I remember this distinctively because I covered a similar topic at the start of 2009. The only difference is that at that time the corrupted cache issue was associated with Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) RTW, and this time around it’s the recently released Windows Live Messenger Wave 4.
Microsoft itself has documented the problem, and offers a solution for scenarios in which the contacts cache in Windows Live Messenger is corrupted. Below are the troubleshooting steps, from the Redmond company:
“Ensure that msnmsgr.exe and wlcomm.exe is completely shut down
a. Go to Task Manager (press Ctrl + Alt + Delete Key to bring up task manager option) b. Go to Processes tab and look for msnmsgr.exe and wlcomm.exe program c. If running, right click on the .exe files and select End process d. Try to sign into Windows Live Messenger again
2. Change the Microsoft Windows Explorer settings: a. Go to Start, Run, Type explorer and click ok. b. On the Tools menu, click Organize and Folder and Search options in Windows Vista or Windows 7 c. On the View tab, in the advanced settings list, select Show hidden files and folders under Hidden Files and Folders. d. Clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box. e. Click Ok to close the Folder Options window.
3. Delete Windows Live Contacts Folder:
a. Go to Start, click on Computer b. Browse to the location, C:\Users\<Windows logon name>\AppData\Local\Microsoft c. Delete Windows Live Contacts folder Note: Windows Logon name is the logon name that you use to sign in to Windows Operating system Re-launch Windows Live Messenger and try to sign in again, and verify if the issue remains.”
Read additional information about the new features of Windows Live Messenger Wave 4 here.
Download Windows Live Messenger Wave 4 Beta and the rest of Windows Live Essentials Wave 4 here.
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