Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 05:10 PM

MSN appears to have created a new "service center" for MSN/Hotmail users at http://membercenter.msn.com/signin.aspx?ru=%2fDefault.aspx .

A log-on is required that should be the same as your "Passport" login (email address and password) that you use to access your email.

There is a "Get Help Now" at the top of the page after you log in.

If problems persist, this may be a place to get some help - although I can't give any personal assurance of what you may find.

MSN appears to be in the process of migrating accounts to new servers, and has come up with new buzzwords - "Live-Servers" and "Live-Search" and "Live Messenger," but in their typical fashion provide no advance warning to users. They urge that you install the latest "MSN Programs" but provide no information about what their new programs are or what they will do^**, but it appears to have something to do with "Vista compatible" server functions(?).

The site linked also makes reference to "Your new MSN 9" which is something I don't recall hearing anything about(?).

In previous such migrations, dial-up phone numbers have been added and/or deleted without notice, and call forwarding that they've claimed they have provided for deleted numbers has caused problems similar to those being described recently. Changes in numbers available have also sometimes caused some previously useful numbers to be overloaded, with dropped connections becoming frequent until enough people figure it out and select alternate numbers. If you're using dial-up, it may be worthwhile to verify that the number you're using is still a good one, and to make a note of any alternates available for your use in case the loading doesn't level off soon.

^** Announcements of "Live-XXX" things that I've received strongly imply that if I install their new programs my sex life will be positively enhanced; however my experience with MSN-anything programs implies that the only way such a result could occur would be if I should happen to encounter a wanton [desparate] service tech at their support facilities, as I've invariably spent much of my time there after attempting to permit any "MSN programs" on any of my computers. As all such support persons now appear to be located in India, and I am not inclined to pursue such long-distance affairs, I'm not sufficiently optimistic about their claims to have chosen any recent installations of their "MSN programs." My enthusiasm is also tempered by inappropriate gender characterstics and communication difficulties with speakers of ESL in all support persons with whom I've had recent contact.

The problems, for Jeannie at least, appear to be persistent enough to merit some attempt to get an answer from MSN/Hotmail people; but location and account type(s) make finding of useful support largely a DIY activity.

-oops - shouldn't use abbreviations/acronyms loosely:

(ESL = English as a Second Language)
(DIY = Do It Yourself)

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: GUEST,Kerra
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 03:52 PM

what is wrong with hotmail? it worked at about 8:30 until 9:30 but hasn't worked for me since...

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: John J
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 02:20 PM

Mine's just kicked in again.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: John J
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 12:54 PM

Mine isn't working in UK.

JJ

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: Vixen
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 12:30 PM

I got into mine first thing this morning around 8am (USA-EDT), and again at around 9:30, but havent' been able to get in since....
V

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: Jeanie
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 09:05 AM

Thanks for that information, Guest - so it's not just my computer. The plot thickens, however, because since posting here, I've tried getting into MSN emails via my daughter's computer, and it worked !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 08:50 AM

Mine is still not working either. I can put my email address and password in but then when I click sign in, it doesnt work

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 10:55 PM

No problem with MSN e-mail here. I switched to the beta version of Windows Live Mail, and it seems to work pretty well. I use the limited features because I have a slow dialup connection.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: Jeanie
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 11:26 AM

Thanks, John ! I'm really hoping it is MSN's problem (and not my computer's) - from what you say about the "server switchover", that may well be the case. Time will tell...

Many thanks,
- jeanie

Subject: RE: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 10:42 AM

No particular problems here in Kansas.

Our MSN account delivered a half-dozen mails a couple of minutes ago when I checked. My hotmail account hasn't dropped anything new for a couple of days, but that's normal (I don't have many friends - who mail me); and we haven't had any notices of bad connections.

MSN has been "migrating" both MSN and hotmail accounts to new "Vista ready" servers recently, so it is possible that they're doing a server swap on people in some areas. They usually don't tell you anything about it unless you catch them in the process and complain. Then they pretend it's your fault and they'll "help you" get it straightened out.

Usually just ignoring it for a day or two is as effective as their help... ... .

If you've recently created a new account on your machine, a couple of rather trivial looking things can prevent making the connection without giving a useful error message. One of the most common is failing to check the box for "secure authentication required" in the account setup. Both MSN and hotmail accounts generally require it (at least on our accounts), and sometimes the setup Wizard seems to skip past it and the box doesn't pop up in obvious form during account setup. For some reason, if that box is unchecked, you often don't get a connection but don't get an intelligible error message.

A bad password or mis-typed account name usually gets a fairly clear error message (at least in our experience).

John

Subject: Tech: Are msn emails not working at the mo ?
From: Jeanie
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 06:03 AM

Or...otherwise entitled: "Is it hot(mail) in here, or is it just me ?"

All over this weekend, I haven't been able to sign in to MSN to send/read emails, and I'm wondering if it is a general down-time and other people are finding the same thing ?

I've tried various routes in: Via MSN Explorer, I get the message:
"We were not able to sign you in. There may be a problem with our service or your Internet connection. Please try again later."

Via the MSN website, I get the box for signing in to emails, then it goes through the rigmarole of "you are now entering a secret zone" (or whatever they say, you know what I mean, where it has a little padlock sign), then it comes up with "Cannot find server." From MSN homepage, I've also tried connecting to their "Technical Help" section, where you can send an email to report a problem, and that also comes up with "Cannot find server."

Not a terrific problem in the immediate term, as I can get online through Internet Explorer and have another (non-MSN) email address, but I have a work advert being printed with an MSN email address I created specifically for the purpose, and it would be a bit of a disaster if this problem persists.

I'm really hoping others of you have been finding the same problem with MSN over the past few days, and it's not just me - because otherwise I might have to go through a whole cookie-clearing process (or whatever it's called), that I really don't have a clue about. I'm on Orange (Freeserve as was)by the way. Don't know if that makes any difference.

Many thanks for any information !
Cheers,
- jeanie