Profil for JonathanJonathan Kay, MessengerG...BilderBloggListerMer Verktøy Hjelp

Jonathan Kay

Sted
Messenger Microsoft MVP since 2001

Jonathan Kay, MessengerGeek

It's a Live thing.
26. november

Update to the Windows Live Communications Platform

With the recent final forced upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 2009 from Windows Live Messenger 8.5 came an updated version of the Windows Live Communications Platform which hadn’t seen a change since February (the original QFE release).

The existing version of the Windows Live Communications Platform contained a bug wherein in some cases, the contact list would appear empty within the various Windows Live applications (most obvious in Messenger and Mail).  This bug appears to have been corrected in this release and presumably the forced upgrade was delayed for 8.5 until this fix was ready.

As this is a small update to the existing QFE 2 suite, I’ve elected to simply update the QFE 2 entry with this small update. 

Upgrading from the existing Windows Live Communications Platform version
As the only changed component is the Windows Live Communications Platform, the latest Windows Live Installer will not allow you to install this update if you already have all the applications which use this component installed.  To avoid having to uninstall and reinstall the Windows Live applications, you can upgrade by following these quick steps:

  1. Shut down down any main Windows Live applications such as Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Photo Gallery and/or Windows Live Movie Maker (this is not a critical step, the installer will prompt you to shut down anything using the Communications Platform).
  2. Download and run the new Windows Live Communications Platform installer file (Contacts.msi).
  3. After the Windows Installer completes the upgrade and then disappears without any error messages, you can restart any Windows Live products.

Technical Details
Installer package – Contacts.msi
Signed by Microsoft Corporation – Thursday, October 01, 2009 03:00:37 (UTC)
Version: 14.0.8098.0930 (previous version was 14.0.8064.0206)

Files updated (check your version/files in your Program Files’ Windows Live\Contacts folder):

File name File version
File size Date (UTC) Time (UTC)
abssm.dll 14.0.8098.930 531,808 30-Sept-2009 07:58
conproxy.dll 14.0.8098.930 58,720 30-Sept-2009 07:58
consync.dll 14.0.8098.930 128,352 30-Sept-2009 07:58
contact.dll 14.0.8098.930 645,984 30-Sept-2009 07:58
lmcdata.dll 14.0.8098.930 580,448 30-Sept-2009 07:58
wlcomm.exe 14.0.8098.930 26,464 30-Sept-2009 07:58
wldlog.dll 14.0.8098.930 31,584 30-Sept-2009 07:58
14. september

Messenger server problems today

There’s been Messenger server problems today, causing instant messages not to be delivered to contacts and possibly issues with signing in. 

This is most likely due to changes being made for tomorrow’s (Sept. 15th) forced upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 2009.   I would expect it to be resolved by tomorrow.

If you’re not aware of the forced upgrade, as of tomorrow if you’re using Windows Live Messenger 8.x, you will be forced to update to the 2009 version to sign in to Messenger.  This is due to a security issue found in the Microsoft’s ATL library, which is only fixed in the latest version of Messenger.  The MessengerSays blog has the full announcement.  As well, this forced upgrade has already been shaky, with workarounds required for some versions of Windows which aren’t officially “supported”.  You can upgrade Messenger at the Windows Live download site, or install the MSI files yourself here on my blog.

It really would be preferred if a version of Windows Live Messenger 8.5 (2008) was made available with the ATL security fix.  2009 is hardly a bug-free release, and downgrading has been a legitimate “fix” for everything from missing contacts to performance problems.  Sadly, I doubt this will happen for the typical time, resources, and money problems.

26. august

Wrong forced upgrade for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x64 users (solutions inside for os_check: 0x80280004)

Over the past day, if you’ve attempted to log into any version of Messenger on Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP x64, you will receive a notification to upgrade Messenger:

imageWindows Live Messenger

If you choose Yes, the latest installer of Windows Live Messenger will download and attempt to execute.  You’ll then be presented with the following “Sorry, you cannot install the programs you’ve chosen on this operating system.  Error: os_check: 0x80280004”:

oscheck

You see this message because Windows Live products are not supported on these version of Windows (but will work anyway).  This sort of thing isn’t new, Messenger has been blocked from installing on some Windows versions before.

Solutions
There are two solutions you can take to solve this problem, depending on your preference.  You can force your current version to keep working, or you can force the latest version to install.   The choice is up to you.

Solution 1 – Forcing your current version to continue working

You can continue to use your current version of Messenger by setting it into Windows XP compatibility mode (yes, even on XP 64-bit).  Since the instructions, paths, and shortcuts will change depending on which Messenger and Windows version you’re using, I’ve created a quick application you can run to make the necessary changes.

  1. Download msngrcompat.exe and run it
  2. Say Yes at the prompt make the changes
  3. Messenger will run a repair (this is normal and will only happen once) and then pop up

You can now sign in as per normal.  You will not need to run the msngrcompat.exe again.

Solution 2 – Forcing the latest version of Windows Live Messenger 2009 to install

Although the latest version of Windows Live Messenger will claim not to install on your version of Windows, you can still install it.  You’ll just need to download and run the following Microsoft Installer (MSI) files:

  1. Windows Live Messenger
  2. Windows Live Communications Platform
  3. Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime
  4. Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit) or Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit)
  5. Segoe UI Font

After this you’ll find Windows Live Messenger on the start menu.

For the other Windows Live products and some of the optional components installed with Messenger, see my full blog entry on installing and uninstalling Windows Live 2009 QFE2 applications.

Final notes
Messenger may be considered a consumer product, but these forced upgrades are completely unnecessary and detrimental to Messenger’s user base.  Ignoring earlier issues, beginning earlier this year Windows NT4 was blocked from using its [former] supported Messenger client, but Windows 95 continues to work (on the same version).  Sure, Microsoft may or may not be able to officially “support” Messenger on these platforms, but blocking the clients only causes users to seek options like the above, or to just use other clients – which won’t have the Microsoft advertising that Messenger depends on.

18. august

Installing/uninstalling Windows Live 2009 (Wave 3) QFE 2 applications and the Windows Live Communications Platform update

This article supersedes the Installing/uninstalling Windows Live 2009 QFE applications with the second QFE (Quick Fix Engineering) release versions of the Windows Live “Wave 3” 2009 products and the released version of Windows Live Movie Maker.

Beyond the released version of Windows Live Movie Maker, it is not known what has changed with the other applications.

UPDATE (11/26/2009): A newer version of the Windows Live Communications Platform is now available and updated in this article.  More details about this update can be found at Update to the Windows Live Communications Platform.

The changed components are Windows Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Family Safety, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Sync, Windows Live Writer, Silverlight, Live Essentials Installer, Junk Mail filter update, and Choice Guard.

Below you will find all Windows Live Suite 2009 “Wave 3” applications, a download link to the Microsoft Installer (MSI) file, what’s also necessary to install each application and instructions on how to properly remove each without the Windows Live installer.  This allows you to install on non-supported Windows versions (Windows XP x64), fix broken Windows Live Installer installs or just to avoid the Live Installer altogether.

Note: A few of the packages come in both 32-bit and 64-bit varieties.  If you’re not sure if you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system, you most likely have a 32-bit operating system and should use the 32-bit packages.  You can verify your operating system type using this article.

Windows Live Messenger
Version 2009: 14.0.8089.726
Download installer – Messenger.msi
You will also need to install: Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit) or Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit), Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime, Windows Live Communications Platform, Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Windows Vista or Windows 7)
Optional secondary components: Windows Live Call and Installer Components (see later section)
To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Windows Live Messenger, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {A85FD55B-891B-4314-97A5-EA96C0BD80B5}

You can also uninstall Messenger 2009 (even if the above isn't working) by using my ZapMessenger utility.

Windows Live Mail
Version 2009: 14.0.8089.0726
Download Installer – Mail.msi
You will also need to install: Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit) or Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit), Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime, Windows Live Communications Platform, Junk Mail filter update, Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Vista)
Optional secondary components: Installer Components (see later section)
To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Windows Live Mail, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {6412CECE-8172-4BE5-935B-6CECACD2CA87}

Windows Live Toolbar
Version: 14.00.8064.0206
Download Installer – wltinstall.msi
You will also need to install:
Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime, Search Enhancement Pack, Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime, Microsoft Sync Framework Services, Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Vista)
Optional secondary components: Installer Components (see later section)
To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Windows Live Toolbar, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {995F1E2E-F542-4310-8E1D-9926F5A279B3}

Windows Live Photo Gallery
Version 2009: 14.0.8081.709
Download Installer – PhotoLibrary.msi
You will also need to install: Windows Imaging Component (XP only), Windows Imaging Component Hotfix (32-bit) or Windows Imaging Component Hotfix (64-bit), SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition (3.1), Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit) or Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit), Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime, Windows Live Communications Platform, Direct3D 9, Windows Live Sync, Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Vista)
Optional secondary components: Installer Components (see later section)
To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Windows Live Photo Gallery, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {D6C75F0B-3BC1-4FC9-B8C5-3F7E8ED059CA}

Windows Live Movie Maker
Version: 14.0.8091.0730
Note: Movie Maker will only work on Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Download Installer – MovieMaker.msi
You will also need to install: Windows Imaging Component (XP only), Windows Imaging Component Hotfix (32-bit) or Windows Imaging Component Hotfix (64-bit), SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition (3.1), Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit) or Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit), Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime, Windows Live Communications Platform, Direct3D 9, Windows Live Sync, Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Vista), Windows Live Photo Gallery
Optional secondary components: Installer Components (see later section)
To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Windows Live Movie Maker, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {3D5044A5-97B8-45C0-B956-BB2376569188}

Windows Live Writer
Version: 14.0.8089.726
Download Installer – Writer.msi
You will also need to install: .NET Framework, Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Vista)
Optional secondary components: Installer Components (see later section)
To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Live Writer, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {178832DE-9DE0-4C87-9F82-9315A9B03985}

Windows Live Family Safety
Version: 14.0.8093.0805
Download Installer (32-bit) – fssclient_x86.msi
Download Installer (64-bit) – fssclient_amd64.msi
You will also need to install: Segoe UI Font (not necessary on Vista)
Optional secondary components: Installer Components (see later section)

To uninstall these secondary components, see Secondary Components below.
To uninstall Windows Live Family Safety (32-bit), click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {139E303E-1050-497F-98B1-9AE87B15C463}
To uninstall Windows Live Family Safety (64-bit), click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {F7513E19-6224-485E-988D-9BF45BE64B53}

Microsoft Silverlight 3.0
Version: 3.0.40624.0
Download Installer – Silverlight.exe
If you don’t already have Silverlight installed or have an earlier version, the normal setup will install this latest version of Silverlight.
You will also need to install: Nothing else
To uninstall Silverlight 3.0, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {89F4137D-6C26-4A84-BDB8-2E5A4BB71E00}

Microsoft Office Live Add-in 1.3
Version: 2.0.2313.0
Download Installer – OLConnector.msi
This is only offered to you in the normal setup if you have Office installed.
Adds Office Live Workspace functionality into the Office applications’ Open and Save functions. 
You will also need to install: Microsoft Office
To uninstall Office Live Add-In 1.3, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {57F0ED40-8F11-41AA-B926-4A66D0D1A9CC}

Microsoft Office Outlook Connector
Version: 12.0.6423.1000
Download Installer – olc.msi
This is only offered to you in the normal setup if you have Outlook installed. 

You will also need to install: Microsoft Office Outlook
To uninstall Office Outlook Connector, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {95120000-0122-0409-0000-0000000FF1CE}

Installer Components
These components would normally be automatically installed no matter what product you selected.  Some provide some degree of value (like the Login Assistant) whereas others are completely useless if you are doing a manual install.  Naturally, if you are a doing a manual uninstall, you should remove all of these.  Additionally, no matter what selection you choose in the normal setup, your Windows Update within Windows will be registered with Microsoft Update.

Choice Guard
Download Installer – choiceguard.msi
Sets your user homepage and default search engine during setup (if you opt-in); this one is safe to remove
To uninstall Choice Guard, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {F0E12BBA-AD66-4022-A453-A1C8A0C4D570}

Windows Live Sign-in Assistant
Download Installer – wllogin.msi
Allows Windows Live web pages to synchronize with your client-side Live logins (like in Messenger); previous builds have been known to cause Internet Explorer to crash on exit and you may want to remove this if this is a problem for you
To uninstall Windows Live Sign-in Assistant, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {45338B07-A236-4270-9A77-EBB4115517B5}

Windows Live Upload Tool
Download Installer – RichUpload.msi
The ActiveX control to upload files to your Windows Live SkyDrive.
To uninstall the Windows Live Upload Tool, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {205C6BDD-7B73-42DE-8505-9A093F35A238}

Windows Live Essentials Installer
Download Installer – WLXSuite.msi
The installer setup and UI for the Windows Live Installer
To uninstall Windows Live Installer, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {81128EE8-8EAD-4DB0-85C6-17C2CE50FF71}

Segoe UI Font
Download Installer – SegoeFont.msi
Automatically installed normally if you don’t have the Segoe UI font already (included in Office 2007 and Windows Vista by default).  This component has not changed since the earlier beta version.
To uninstall the Segoe UI Font, click Start, then Run, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {A1F66FC9-11EE-4F2F-98C9-16F8D1E69FB7}

Secondary Components
As mentioned earlier, the majority of these applications now utilize shared additional components to work.  Here is a listing of each component, a download link, and how to uninstall each.  Be aware that some of these components are not limited to Windows Live products and removing them may affect other applications.

Microsoft Application Error Reporting
Download Installer (32-bit) – dw20shared.msi
Download Installer (64-bit) – dw20sharedamd64.msi

Installs Doctor Watson 2.0 application error reporting.  This component was known as DW 2.0 Client in the beta version and has not changed.
To uninstall Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit), click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {95120000-00B9-0409-0000-0000000FF1CE}
To uninstall Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit), click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {95120000-00B9-0409-1000-0000000FF1CE}

Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime
Download Installer – crt.msi
Provides the runtime files required for software created with the latest Visual Studio, such as these Windows Live applications.
To uninstall Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {22B775E7-6C42-4FC5-8E10-9A5E3257BD94}

Direct3D 9
Download Installer – directx3d9setup.exe
Provides the latest version of Direct3D 9 for Photo Gallery/Movie Maker.

Windows Live Communications Platform
Download Installer – Contacts.msi
Windows Live Communications Platform required for Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker to access your Live Contacts.
To uninstall Windows Live Communications Platform, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {ED00D08A-3C5F-488D-93A0-A04F21F23956}

Note: This component was recently updated, see Update to the Windows Live Communications Platform for more details.

Windows Live Call
Download Installer – wlc.msi
Optional component, originally in the previous Messenger release, Live Call provides “PC to Phone” functionality using regional third-party providers.
To uninstall Windows Live Call, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {F6BD194C-4190-4D73-B1B1-C48C99921BFE}

Windows Live Sync/Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime/Microsoft Sync Framework Services
Download Installer Windows Live Sync – WindowsLiveSync.msi
Download Installer Sync Framework Runtime – SyncNative.msi
Download Installer Sync Framework Services – ProviderServicesNative.msi
The necessary runtime files for Live Sync for the various applications.  In Photo Gallery, Live Sync is used to sync your photo gallery across multiple machines (see File menu, Setup gallery sync…).  In the Toolbar, Live Sync is used to automatically sync your browser favorites across multiple machines.
To uninstall Windows Live Sync, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {84EBDF39-4B33-49D7-A0BD-EB6E2C4E81C1}
To uninstall Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {8A74E887-8F0F-4017-AF53-CBA42211AAA5}
To uninstall Microsoft Sync Framework Services, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {BD64AF4A-8C80-4152-AD77-FCDDF05208AB}

Search Enhancement Pack
Download Installer - MicrosoftSearchEnhancementPack.msi
Extensions for the Live Toolbar’s Search Bar
To uninstall the Search Enhancement Pack, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {9C9CEB9D-53FD-49A7-85D2-FE674F72F24E}

Junk Mail filter update
Download Installer - SpamFilterData.msi
The latest Junk Mail filter for filtering spam in Windows Live Mail.
To uninstall Junk Mail filter update, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {E2DFE069-083E-4631-9B6C-43C48E991DE5}

Windows Imaging Component (XP only)
Download XP Installer (32-bit) – wic_x86_enu.exe
Download XP Installer (64-bit) – wic_x64_enu.exe
The Windows Imaging Component (WIC) provides WIC-enabled applications to display and edit any image format for which a WIC-compliant codec is installed, and also to read and write metadata in image files.  In this case, Photo Gallery.

Windows Imaging Component Hotfix
Download XP Installer (32-bit) – WindowsXP-KB954708-x86-ENU.exe
Download Vista Installer (32-bit) – Windows6.0-KB954708-x86.msu
Download Vista Installer (64-bit) – Windows6.0-KB954708-x64.msu

Adds support for XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) to Windows Imaging; see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954708 for more info.  This component has not changed since the beta release.
To uninstall the Windows Imaging Component Hotfix, visit Add or Remove Programs (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista) in the Control Panel, choose the option to show updates, then right-click and remove the update appended by KB954708.  Alternatively, execute pkgmgr /up:Package_for_KB954708~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0 (32-bit) or pkgmgr /up:Package_for_KB954708~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0 (64-bit).

SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition
Download Installer - SQLServerCE31-EN.msi
Backend database for Photo Gallery & Movie Maker.  This component has not changed since the beta release.
To uninstall SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition, click Start, then Run if using XP, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {F0B430D1-B6AA-473D-9B06-AA3DD01FD0B8}

26. juli

Windows 7 user experience guidelines and Messenger

One aspect of software development that I’m quite keen about is user interface design (or user experience depending on who you’re talking to).  The art of designing an interface which is both intuitive to new users, powerful and familiar to experienced users, but yet still maintains a clean look varies from difficult to downright impossible.  Microsoft publishes user experience guidelines for Windows to maintain application consistency and to [try to] keep developers as sane as possible.  I’ve always enjoyed reading through the guidelines, not just for educational purposes but because they frequently use Messenger to show the “incorrect” interface implementations.

Lucky for us, they didn’t fail to disappoint in the Windows 7 version of the guidelines.  Suspiciously the name Jonathan is used in a majority of these screenshots, but I promise it’s not me!  Please note that these images are mainly mock-ups and will never be seen in the actual Messenger application.

Take this example of using Windows 7’s thumbnail toolbars incorrectly.  If this were real, it would certainly be a bit difficult to find and unnecessary.  However, being able to sign into another account in this way would be nice:
Aa511446.Taskbar04(en-us,MSDN.10)[2] 

Another incorrect example using the same button to represent some sort of ‘Remember me’ feature:
Aa511446.Taskbar05(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

Thumbnail toolbars are supposed to be instant, one-click affairs and this example shows that being implemented incorrectly with a menu right above:
 Aa511446.Taskbar40(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

This shows the correct way Messenger uses an overlay icon on the new taskbar to show your current status:
Aa511446.Taskbar14(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

…and this shows the wrong way:
Aa511446.Taskbar16(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]
Mind you, if the icon changed to this on my birthday, I wouldn’t complain.

The mail icon here is noted as being for “chat”, but I suspect Joe (I guess it was Jonathan’s day off) would think otherwise:
Aa511446.Taskbar42(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

The options screen gets an appearance as an example of the correct reasoning to use vertical tabs:
Aa511493.Tabs07(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

Here’s a balloon I’m sure most people have seen before.  This is an example of an incorrect warning notification as it serves little purpose besides to worry and distract the user:
Aa511263.Warnings05(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

Messenger even makes a star appearance with the correct example of several other dialogs:
Aa511268.Dialogs24(en-us,MSDN.10)[2]  Aa511268.Dialogs26(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

According to the guidelines you are not to put your own controls (buttons) in the window frame, but instead leave them in the application window itself.  This is an example of it being done incorrectly:
Aa974173.WindowFrames08(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

An old version of the Live Messenger setup is used to show the correct way of allowing users to opt-in.  Sadly none of these options exist in the latest installer:
Cc872779.FirstExperience09(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]

Finally, the guidelines now state to avoid window titles that have “awkward truncations” as shown in this sample:
Aa511446.Taskbar52(en-us,MSDN.10)[1]
Hmm, “Windows Live Mess” is a bit harsh methinks.

15. juli

Solutions for the “broken camera” icon and grayed out options bug in Video Call and Webcam

So you’ve set up your camera successfully in Messenger.  Next, you click the Video button at the top of the screen, your contact accepts and you see them but all they see is:
Broken webcam icon

Or instead of a video call, you want to use the Show my webcam feature but when you try it appears grayed out:

Disabled Show my webcam menu selection

The solution
With thanks to my good friend Sam (otherwise known to some as Underlord), after suffering with this for awhile, you can now workaround this bug by re-enabling the “Allow others to see that I have a webcam” option.  To get to that option, open up any Messenger window, press the Alt key on the keyboard to bring up Messenger’s menu bar, then choose Tools and then Options. optionsmenu

Finally at the bottom of the first options category, verify that the “Allow others to see that I have a webcam” options is selected and click OK.
options

You’ll now need to sign out of Messenger and sign back in.  To do this, just right-click the notification area icon (Windows XP/Vista) or taskbar button (Windows 7) and choose Sign Out.  Then right-click it again and choose Sign In.


signoutxp   signout7

You should now be able to initiate a video call successfully and select the show webcam option.

My show webcam option is still grayed out
There’s another bug in Messenger where in some cases the show webcam option will still be grayed out, regardless of your allow others to see option as described above.  To work around this problem, you’ll again need to open up any Messenger window, press the Alt key on the keyboard to bring up the menu bar, choose Tools and then choose Audio and video setup.

Click Next on the audio setup screen to get to the webcam selection.  From the dropdown, select Disable.  Then finally choose Finish.  webcamoptions 
Next, hit the Alt key again to bring up the menu bar, again choose Tools, and then Audio and video setup.  Click Next to get back to the webcam selection, click the dropdown and choose the webcam you just set to disabled.  Finally choose Finish and you should have a working show webcam option again. 

In testing, it seems you may need to repeat this process with every Messenger session.

Note: There are plenty of other webcam issues dealing with connectivity and some driver issues which won’t be fixed by either of these solutions.  Future blog entries will deal with some of these issues.

1. juli

Solve Messenger forgetting your username and password with Make Messenger Remember

icon_200 Recently there has been an upsurge of problems regarding Windows Live Messenger “forgetting” Windows Live IDs after a Windows restart.  Although there are some known policies in Windows which can cause this to occur, after many hours of testing and research, the latest culprit appears to be the Yahoo Toolbar.

Uninstalling the toolbar will not address the problem as its installer causes damage to your Windows user profile’s registry.  To correct all possible causes of this problem, I have created Make Messenger Remember.

How to use
Just download the zip for Make Messenger Remember and run the executable contained inside.  Note: Make Messenger Remember will automatically restart Windows after completing its work, so be sure to close and save any data prior to beginning the process.

Choose the Fix button for Make Messenger Remember to make the necessary fixes and restart Windows.  After Windows starts again, start Messenger if its not set to automatically do so already, and verify that your Live ID and/or password have returned.  In some cases you may have to sign in manually at least more one time.

Make Messenger Remember

Requirements:
Windows XP/Vista
.NET Framework 2.0 or higher

Download Make Messenger Remember


Version history:
7/1/2009  1.0  Initial Release

Special thanks to MersauX, ilyaz and FYu for both testing and providing me the necessary data to create a fix to this problem.