Windows Messenger Goes Offline (XP/SP2)

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I’m in the process of setting up a new computer. I’ve installed XP Service Pack 2. Windows Messenger signs in fine. However, it keeps going offline and I have to reconnect. Although I haven’t had any lengthy online chats to test this, it seems that it goes offline if I do not use it for a while. Any suggestions as to how to fix or diagnose? Google and MS searches have not turned up anything. Not sure what search terms to use.

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Are you using SP2’s built-in Windows Firewall? One of its features is to close ports when they are not being used. I don’t know whether this is related, but it is the first thing that came to mind. Perhaps you can make an exception for Messenger and see if that fixes the problem.

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Thanks for the suggestion. The Windows Firewall is enabled, but Windows Messenger is already set as one of the exceptions. Guess I’ll have to keep searching.

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Are you running multiple firewalls? How long do you stay connected?

Joe

--Joe

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Other than a hardware firewall in our router the Windows Firewall is the only one. The hardware firewall is not a problem as someone else here is able to use IM and I was able to with my old computer. It appears that I stay connected until I go to send a message. Then when the message box opens I’m disconnected and have to sign in again. It then works okay while I’m messenging.

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Other than a hardware firewall in our router the Windows Firewall is the only one. The hardware firewall is not a problem as someone else here is able to use IM and I was able to with my old computer. It appears that I stay connected until I go to send a message. Then when the message box opens I’m disconnected and have to sign in again. It then works okay while I’m messenging.

Reply | Quote

Are you running multiple firewalls? How long do you stay connected?

Joe

--Joe

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the suggestion. The Windows Firewall is enabled, but Windows Messenger is already set as one of the exceptions. Guess I’ll have to keep searching.

Reply | Quote

Are you using SP2’s built-in Windows Firewall? One of its features is to close ports when they are not being used. I don’t know whether this is related, but it is the first thing that came to mind. Perhaps you can make an exception for Messenger and see if that fixes the problem.

Reply | Quote