Bizarrre MSN issue

blibbax · Feb 28, 2011, 01:44 AM

Ok, so Synthesis and I have been talking on MSN. I'm not sure what client he uses, but I use the latest version of Pidgin. We're both on excellent connections using stable and otherwise fully functional PCs.

However, we've been having some odd issues. I was wondering whether anyone could explain or suggest solutions to them.

I have two MSN accounts, to which I am always signed in and appearing online. I originally added Synthesis on my newer account, to which he was always appearing offline, even when appearing online at his end. I then removed him from this account's friend list, and added him to my other MSN account. To this account, he appears always to be afk, even when typing to me...

Furthermore, and perhaps more annoyingly, there seems to be some loss of data in transition. Sometimes my messages simply don't arrive at Synthesis's end. They don't corrupt, or arrive wrong, they simply don't send, and which don't and which do seems to be pretty random.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: There's a typo in the title of this thread. I'd love it if a forum admin could fix it, thanks

Tyrsonswood · Feb 28, 2011, 02:33 AM

Bizarrre....... Not only a typo.... there's two threads.

Takaharu · Feb 28, 2011, 08:04 AM

Simple question - do you or synthesis have any problems with your other contacts?
Also, have you tried Windows Live Messenger? It may be worthwhile trying the official software to avoid any doubt.

blibbax · Feb 28, 2011, 10:41 AM

I have no issues with other contacts. I'll try the official software tonight, haven't used it in years :P

UPDATE:

Sorry, been very slow getting round to this.

He still appears offline in the official MSN client, and furthermore, I cannot even reply to his messages.

**synthesis204** · Mar 20, 2011, 11:21 PM

I was using both Trillian and Windows Live Messenger and have had this issue. He always appears online on my end, but I show up as either AFK or offline to him. And there still is the loss of messages.

No, this doesn't occur with any of my other contacts, even ones in Singapore/Japan/SKorea/UK/EU/elsewhere.

Tipstaff · Mar 21, 2011, 01:16 AM

Couple things to try:

- One, or both of you, should try to turn off Windows firewall. I would try it on one end first, and if it doesn't work try the other end. If that doesn't work, try both ends.
- Can't remember if the option is still there, but double check your privacy settings for things like allowing only people in your contacts list to see your status, and what not. I know there's one for allowing only people in your contacts list to be able to see your status that you could turn off (or is that on?) so that everyone sees you. This is just a test to see if the offline/afk status changes.
- Blibbax, while Synthesis is online, log out of whatever app you are using, and try the online Messenger that is part of MSN. If Synthesis' status still shows up as offline or afk then it's something on his end that is the problem, or vice versa if he shows up as online. The idea here is to bypass the application itself.
- One, or both of you can try to repair Messenger. Exit Messenger completely (not just log out, but exit), and go to Control Panel | Programs and Features, and start the uninstall procedure for MSN Messenger (I think it shows up as Windows Live Essential 2011). You should see an option to "Repair All Windows Live Programs" or something to that effect.
- One, or both of you, could try to install the 2009 version of MSN Messenger to see if it works. Uninstall 2011, then install 2009. If it works update/install 2011 on top of that.

blibbax · Mar 22, 2011, 03:08 AM

Ok, we carried out an experiment, and got some f**ked up results.

When I sign in with the online messenger, and Synthesis uses the default windows live messenger client, he shows up as Tom on my screen and I show up as Al on his as well as my own - despite the fact that my name is Tom, and his is Al. I can see that he is online, however, and talk to him normally.

When I sign in with pidgin and he uses the default windows live messenger client, I still can't see him as online.

When we both sign in on the default msn client, my own address (which I have in my friends in order to check that my personal status/message is working) shows up as Al - again, that's Synthesis's name. My name is Tom, and I have it set as such. Furthermore, I can't see him online, just like in Pidgin.

Frankly, it's 3AM over here, I'm too tired to understand how this can be happening, and I'm freaked out. D:

**synthesis204** · Mar 22, 2011, 03:10 AM

Microsoft looooooooooooves fucking with our heads...

Judas · Mar 22, 2011, 04:00 PM

Actually this has been happening for years with many different products that "connected" to the msn network.. or yahoo.. or aol... or icq..

I've never seen a single case where "alternative" programs have ever gotten it 100% right.

This is one reason i keep going back to the orginal designed for program.... quite often Sending files doesn't work.. or using a video camera or microphone.... people appear offline.. afk.... busy....etc.... Some messages are never sent or received...

the list goes on indefinitely...

Rule of thumb applies.. IF all else fails.. go back to square one.. which would mean... download Windows Live Messenger 2011.

blibbax · Mar 22, 2011, 04:09 PM

As I said, the dafault Windows Live Messenger Client didn't work either, and by that I did mean Windows Live Messenger 2011 at both ends.

In fact, it was probably the most broken solution, as it did not correctly display whether Synthesis was online, and also got our display names confused.

Judas · Mar 22, 2011, 04:39 PM

Odd... even through commodo firewall which i've had so many issues with windows live messenger has always worked.

At which point i'd start pointing the finger at Router/Software firewall/Hardware Firewall/ISP

I know some ISPs for whatever logical reason they can dream up for themselves seem to hate MSN services..

One user in africa has a bitch with skype and his ISP.....

Feb 28, 2011, 01:44 AM	#1
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,208 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Bizarrre MSN issue Ok, so Synthesis and I have been talking on MSN. I'm not sure what client he uses, but I use the latest version of Pidgin. We're both on excellent connections using stable and otherwise fully functional PCs. However, we've been having some odd issues. I was wondering whether anyone could explain or suggest solutions to them. I have two MSN accounts, to which I am always signed in and appearing online. I originally added Synthesis on my newer account, to which he was always appearing offline, even when appearing online at his end. I then removed him from this account's friend list, and added him to my other MSN account. To this account, he appears always to be afk, even when typing to me... Furthermore, and perhaps more annoyingly, there seems to be some loss of data in transition. Sometimes my messages simply don't arrive at Synthesis's end. They don't corrupt, or arrive wrong, they simply don't send, and which don't and which do seems to be pretty random. Any suggestions? EDIT: There's a typo in the title of this thread. I'd love it if a forum admin could fix it, thanks __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Feb 28, 2011, 08:04 AM	#3
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,838 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue Simple question - do you or synthesis have any problems with your other contacts? Also, have you tried Windows Live Messenger? It may be worthwhile trying the official software to avoid any doubt. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Feb 28, 2011, 10:41 AM	Thread Starter #4
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,208 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue I have no issues with other contacts. I'll try the official software tonight, haven't used it in years :P UPDATE: Sorry, been very slow getting round to this. He still appears offline in the official MSN client, and furthermore, I cannot even reply to his messages. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH! Last edited by blibbax; Mar 20, 2011 at 11:19 PM.

Mar 20, 2011, 11:21 PM	#5
synthesis204 Dragonborn Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,174 Rep Power: 97 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue I was using both Trillian and Windows Live Messenger and have had this issue. He always appears online on my end, but I show up as either AFK or offline to him. And there still is the loss of messages. No, this doesn't occur with any of my other contacts, even ones in Singapore/Japan/SKorea/UK/EU/elsewhere. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure alzheimers, ALS, huntington's, parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 21, 2011, 01:16 AM	#6
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue Couple things to try: - One, or both of you, should try to turn off Windows firewall. I would try it on one end first, and if it doesn't work try the other end. If that doesn't work, try both ends. - Can't remember if the option is still there, but double check your privacy settings for things like allowing only people in your contacts list to see your status, and what not. I know there's one for allowing only people in your contacts list to be able to see your status that you could turn off (or is that on?) so that everyone sees you. This is just a test to see if the offline/afk status changes. - Blibbax, while Synthesis is online, log out of whatever app you are using, and try the online Messenger that is part of MSN. If Synthesis' status still shows up as offline or afk then it's something on his end that is the problem, or vice versa if he shows up as online. The idea here is to bypass the application itself. - One, or both of you can try to repair Messenger. Exit Messenger completely (not just log out, but exit), and go to Control Panel \| Programs and Features, and start the uninstall procedure for MSN Messenger (I think it shows up as Windows Live Essential 2011). You should see an option to "Repair All Windows Live Programs" or something to that effect. - One, or both of you, could try to install the 2009 version of MSN Messenger to see if it works. Uninstall 2011, then install 2009. If it works update/install 2011 on top of that. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 22, 2011, 03:08 AM	Thread Starter #7
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,208 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue Ok, we carried out an experiment, and got some fked up results. When I sign in with the online messenger, and Synthesis uses the default windows live messenger client, he shows up as Tom on my screen and I show up as Al on his as well as my own - despite the fact that my name is Tom, and his is Al. I can see that he is online, however, and talk to him normally. When I sign in with pidgin and he uses the default windows live messenger client, I still can't see him as online. When we both sign in on the default msn client, my own address (which I have in my friends in order to check that my personal status/message is working) shows up as Al - again, that's Synthesis's name. My name is Tom, and I have it set as such. Furthermore, I can't see him online, just like in Pidgin. Frankly, it's 3AM over here, I'm too tired to understand how this can be happening, and I'm freaked out. D: __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!**

Mar 22, 2011, 03:10 AM	#8
synthesis204 Dragonborn Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,174 Rep Power: 97 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue Microsoft looooooooooooves fucking with our heads... __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure alzheimers, ALS, huntington's, parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 22, 2011, 04:09 PM	Thread Starter #10
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,208 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: Bizarrre MSN issue As I said, the dafault Windows Live Messenger Client didn't work either, and by that I did mean Windows Live Messenger 2011 at both ends. In fact, it was probably the most broken solution, as it did not correctly display whether Synthesis was online, and also got our display names confused. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!