Very BZARRE Problem With Windows Live Messenger 8.5

Hello there,

I recently had a really, REALLY strange thing happen to me with Windows Live
Messenger 8.5. I've been spending hours upon end trying to solve it and have
still not come up with anything.

Here's the story:

I've been using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 for probably about 3 months now
with no errors whatsoever. A few days ago, I signed out and went to bed. I
woke up the next day, double-clicked to open up Windows Live Messenger 8.5
and nothing happened. I checked the computer's processes, and it said that
the messenger process was running, but I could not use it. Naturally, I
decided to uninstall it and re-install it. After re-installing the messenger,
I tried to open it up and yet again, the process started but nothing
happened. At this point I figured something must have gone wrong and
corrupted in the registry. So I uninstalled it again, cleared out any files
(visible and hidden) that had to do with Windows Live Messneger, and then
opened up my Registry Crawler. From there, I deleted any entry that was
related to Windows Live Messenger. I repeated this multiple times, as well as
the fact that I used CCleaner to fix any registry issues afterwards. I then
restarted the computer, and proceeded to install Windows Live Messenger 8.5
again. Here's the weird part. Every time I booted up the installer, it told
me that I already had it installed and I was good to go. Huh? I did a
registry search and not one key was connected to Windows Live Messenger, yet
the installer told me I was ready to start chatting. So I restarted again,
and then ran a Disk Cleanup and Defragmented my hard drive. I then restarted
again once the processes were finished, and tried to install the messenger
once more. Same problem. For some reason the computer was telling the
installer that everything is installed and working. I even tried to install
older versions of Messenger (8.1, 7.5 and 7.0) however each installer said
that I already have the latest version installed, and that if I wish to
continue I should go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall it...but it isn't
there...because it isn't on my computer anywhere.

I truly do not understand is going on here. How is it possible that the
installers think that I have Windows Live Messenger 8.5 perfectly installed
when there is no trace of it at all on the computer (not in the registry nor
any visible or hidden folders)?

I came here to the Microsoft newsgroups, because hopefully you can help me
out here, as you obviously know more about this stuff than me.

Thanks for your time,

spider-fan

P.S. I'm not sure if System Restore is an option at this moment, because
there is a chance that this fiasco may have started after my earliest restore
point.

Jonathan
Sat Mar 22 20:11:02 CDT 2008

Greetings,

This is precisely why registry cleaners and the like are a bad idea -- especially for
applications installed using the Windows Installer. I highly suggest you use System Restore
to restore back to before you started these utilities when Messenger was properly installed.
Although fixing some of the damage now caused wouldn't take that long, it would be difficult
to determine the true extent of the damage now caused by these third-party applications. You
can sit around and remove every 'Messenger' entry in the registry, but that's not not going
to affect the Windows Installer GUIDs or install cache, which Messenger relies on for both
installation and uninstallation.

Now, back to the original problem. What you're describing is generally a problem with
Messenger and a router on your local network. Assuming you do have a router, you may need to
either reset it (unplug it and plug back in) and/or upgrading its firmware to the latest
version from the router manufacturer.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--



"spider-fan" <spider-fan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0EC36A38-5E97-4594-A056-A5F830E6D370@microsoft.com...
> Hello there,
>
> I recently had a really, REALLY strange thing happen to me with Windows Live
> Messenger 8.5. I've been spending hours upon end trying to solve it and have
> still not come up with anything.
>
> Here's the story:
>
> I've been using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 for probably about 3 months now
> with no errors whatsoever. A few days ago, I signed out and went to bed. I
> woke up the next day, double-clicked to open up Windows Live Messenger 8.5
> and nothing happened. I checked the computer's processes, and it said that
> the messenger process was running, but I could not use it. Naturally, I
> decided to uninstall it and re-install it. After re-installing the messenger,
> I tried to open it up and yet again, the process started but nothing
> happened. At this point I figured something must have gone wrong and
> corrupted in the registry. So I uninstalled it again, cleared out any files
> (visible and hidden) that had to do with Windows Live Messneger, and then
> opened up my Registry Crawler. From there, I deleted any entry that was
> related to Windows Live Messenger. I repeated this multiple times, as well as
> the fact that I used CCleaner to fix any registry issues afterwards. I then
> restarted the computer, and proceeded to install Windows Live Messenger 8.5
> again. Here's the weird part. Every time I booted up the installer, it told
> me that I already had it installed and I was good to go. Huh? I did a
> registry search and not one key was connected to Windows Live Messenger, yet
> the installer told me I was ready to start chatting. So I restarted again,
> and then ran a Disk Cleanup and Defragmented my hard drive. I then restarted
> again once the processes were finished, and tried to install the messenger
> once more. Same problem. For some reason the computer was telling the
> installer that everything is installed and working. I even tried to install
> older versions of Messenger (8.1, 7.5 and 7.0) however each installer said
> that I already have the latest version installed, and that if I wish to
> continue I should go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall it...but it isn't
> there...because it isn't on my computer anywhere.
>
> I truly do not understand is going on here. How is it possible that the
> installers think that I have Windows Live Messenger 8.5 perfectly installed
> when there is no trace of it at all on the computer (not in the registry nor
> any visible or hidden folders)?
>
> I came here to the Microsoft newsgroups, because hopefully you can help me
> out here, as you obviously know more about this stuff than me.
>
> Thanks for your time,
>
> spider-fan
>
> P.S. I'm not sure if System Restore is an option at this moment, because
> there is a chance that this fiasco may have started after my earliest restore
> point.

spiderfan
Sun Mar 23 12:40:01 CDT 2008

Thanks for the speedy reply Jonathan,

I've just unplugged my router and plugged it back in. I'm going to
re-downloaded the Windows Live Installer and attempt to put messenger back on
my system. Hopefully that will work. If not, is there some way to wipe clean
the Windows Installer cache that you can tell me how to do? The reason I ask
is because I'm not sure if my earliest System Restore point was created long
enough ago to avoid the messenger problems (I will have to double check
that), but if cleaning out the cahe will work, I'm all for it.

I will reply back with the results from the router reset.

Thanks again for your help Jonathan,

spider-fan

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> This is precisely why registry cleaners and the like are a bad idea -- especially for
> applications installed using the Windows Installer. I highly suggest you use System Restore
> to restore back to before you started these utilities when Messenger was properly installed.
> Although fixing some of the damage now caused wouldn't take that long, it would be difficult
> to determine the true extent of the damage now caused by these third-party applications. You
> can sit around and remove every 'Messenger' entry in the registry, but that's not not going
> to affect the Windows Installer GUIDs or install cache, which Messenger relies on for both
> installation and uninstallation.
>
> Now, back to the original problem. What you're describing is generally a problem with
> Messenger and a router on your local network. Assuming you do have a router, you may need to
> either reset it (unplug it and plug back in) and/or upgrading its firmware to the latest
> version from the router manufacturer.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> (c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
> --
>
>
>
> "spider-fan" <spider-fan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:0EC36A38-5E97-4594-A056-A5F830E6D370@microsoft.com...
> > Hello there,
> >
> > I recently had a really, REALLY strange thing happen to me with Windows Live
> > Messenger 8.5. I've been spending hours upon end trying to solve it and have
> > still not come up with anything.
> >
> > Here's the story:
> >
> > I've been using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 for probably about 3 months now
> > with no errors whatsoever. A few days ago, I signed out and went to bed. I
> > woke up the next day, double-clicked to open up Windows Live Messenger 8.5
> > and nothing happened. I checked the computer's processes, and it said that
> > the messenger process was running, but I could not use it. Naturally, I
> > decided to uninstall it and re-install it. After re-installing the messenger,
> > I tried to open it up and yet again, the process started but nothing
> > happened. At this point I figured something must have gone wrong and
> > corrupted in the registry. So I uninstalled it again, cleared out any files
> > (visible and hidden) that had to do with Windows Live Messneger, and then
> > opened up my Registry Crawler. From there, I deleted any entry that was
> > related to Windows Live Messenger. I repeated this multiple times, as well as
> > the fact that I used CCleaner to fix any registry issues afterwards. I then
> > restarted the computer, and proceeded to install Windows Live Messenger 8.5
> > again. Here's the weird part. Every time I booted up the installer, it told
> > me that I already had it installed and I was good to go. Huh? I did a
> > registry search and not one key was connected to Windows Live Messenger, yet
> > the installer told me I was ready to start chatting. So I restarted again,
> > and then ran a Disk Cleanup and Defragmented my hard drive. I then restarted
> > again once the processes were finished, and tried to install the messenger
> > once more. Same problem. For some reason the computer was telling the
> > installer that everything is installed and working. I even tried to install
> > older versions of Messenger (8.1, 7.5 and 7.0) however each installer said
> > that I already have the latest version installed, and that if I wish to
> > continue I should go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall it...but it isn't
> > there...because it isn't on my computer anywhere.
> >
> > I truly do not understand is going on here. How is it possible that the
> > installers think that I have Windows Live Messenger 8.5 perfectly installed
> > when there is no trace of it at all on the computer (not in the registry nor
> > any visible or hidden folders)?
> >
> > I came here to the Microsoft newsgroups, because hopefully you can help me
> > out here, as you obviously know more about this stuff than me.
> >
> > Thanks for your time,
> >
> > spider-fan
> >
> > P.S. I'm not sure if System Restore is an option at this moment, because
> > there is a chance that this fiasco may have started after my earliest restore
> > point.
>
>

spiderfan
Sun Mar 23 12:44:02 CDT 2008

Well, resetting the router did not work.

I'll wait until your reply about the Windows Installer Cache.

Thanks Jonathan.

spider-fan

"spider-fan" wrote:

> Thanks for the speedy reply Jonathan,
>
> I've just unplugged my router and plugged it back in. I'm going to
> re-downloaded the Windows Live Installer and attempt to put messenger back on
> my system. Hopefully that will work. If not, is there some way to wipe clean
> the Windows Installer cache that you can tell me how to do? The reason I ask
> is because I'm not sure if my earliest System Restore point was created long
> enough ago to avoid the messenger problems (I will have to double check
> that), but if cleaning out the cahe will work, I'm all for it.
>
> I will reply back with the results from the router reset.
>
> Thanks again for your help Jonathan,
>
> spider-fan
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>
> > Greetings,
> >
> > This is precisely why registry cleaners and the like are a bad idea -- especially for
> > applications installed using the Windows Installer. I highly suggest you use System Restore
> > to restore back to before you started these utilities when Messenger was properly installed.
> > Although fixing some of the damage now caused wouldn't take that long, it would be difficult
> > to determine the true extent of the damage now caused by these third-party applications. You
> > can sit around and remove every 'Messenger' entry in the registry, but that's not not going
> > to affect the Windows Installer GUIDs or install cache, which Messenger relies on for both
> > installation and uninstallation.
> >
> > Now, back to the original problem. What you're describing is generally a problem with
> > Messenger and a router on your local network. Assuming you do have a router, you may need to
> > either reset it (unplug it and plug back in) and/or upgrading its firmware to the latest
> > version from the router manufacturer.
> >
> > --
> > Jonathan Kay
> > Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
> > MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> > MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
> > Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> > (c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
> > --
> >
> >
> >
> > "spider-fan" <spider-fan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:0EC36A38-5E97-4594-A056-A5F830E6D370@microsoft.com...
> > > Hello there,
> > >
> > > I recently had a really, REALLY strange thing happen to me with Windows Live
> > > Messenger 8.5. I've been spending hours upon end trying to solve it and have
> > > still not come up with anything.
> > >
> > > Here's the story:
> > >
> > > I've been using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 for probably about 3 months now
> > > with no errors whatsoever. A few days ago, I signed out and went to bed. I
> > > woke up the next day, double-clicked to open up Windows Live Messenger 8.5
> > > and nothing happened. I checked the computer's processes, and it said that
> > > the messenger process was running, but I could not use it. Naturally, I
> > > decided to uninstall it and re-install it. After re-installing the messenger,
> > > I tried to open it up and yet again, the process started but nothing
> > > happened. At this point I figured something must have gone wrong and
> > > corrupted in the registry. So I uninstalled it again, cleared out any files
> > > (visible and hidden) that had to do with Windows Live Messneger, and then
> > > opened up my Registry Crawler. From there, I deleted any entry that was
> > > related to Windows Live Messenger. I repeated this multiple times, as well as
> > > the fact that I used CCleaner to fix any registry issues afterwards. I then
> > > restarted the computer, and proceeded to install Windows Live Messenger 8.5
> > > again. Here's the weird part. Every time I booted up the installer, it told
> > > me that I already had it installed and I was good to go. Huh? I did a
> > > registry search and not one key was connected to Windows Live Messenger, yet
> > > the installer told me I was ready to start chatting. So I restarted again,
> > > and then ran a Disk Cleanup and Defragmented my hard drive. I then restarted
> > > again once the processes were finished, and tried to install the messenger
> > > once more. Same problem. For some reason the computer was telling the
> > > installer that everything is installed and working. I even tried to install
> > > older versions of Messenger (8.1, 7.5 and 7.0) however each installer said
> > > that I already have the latest version installed, and that if I wish to
> > > continue I should go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall it...but it isn't
> > > there...because it isn't on my computer anywhere.
> > >
> > > I truly do not understand is going on here. How is it possible that the
> > > installers think that I have Windows Live Messenger 8.5 perfectly installed
> > > when there is no trace of it at all on the computer (not in the registry nor
> > > any visible or hidden folders)?
> > >
> > > I came here to the Microsoft newsgroups, because hopefully you can help me
> > > out here, as you obviously know more about this stuff than me.
> > >
> > > Thanks for your time,
> > >
> > > spider-fan
> > >
> > > P.S. I'm not sure if System Restore is an option at this moment, because
> > > there is a chance that this fiasco may have started after my earliest restore
> > > point.
> >
> >