Strange problem with msn messenger

On one my laptop (XP home).
I'm unable to get my msn messenger (newest version 8.1) to work. It was working fine until last night I accidently exit it and reopen it. It doesn't open anymore. I can see it in the process list, (msnmsgr.exe) If i try opening again there will be more duplicates.

I tried rebooting - uninstalling like 10+ times and still can't get it to open. I've got all windows patch + avg antivirus updates+ firewall.

However it is strange as if I browse to the directory and use "run as" a test account that I created it works fine!

So I proceed to find the msn settings manually and delete them. I've deleted all the sqm files in my root directory. Then I went to documents & settings\myself\application data\microsoft\msn messenger and deleted anything I can see. Then I deleted local temporarly files.

Still after reinstall I cannot open it, I can only run it as another user. So I tried restoring to another point few days ago. Restore failed

Anyone have had this problem before? I really don't want to delete my whole profile just because of this.

 

I know your probally tired of experimenting, but try to uninstall, then install an older version, then try to upgrade from the older version.

Download an Old version of your choice HERE ... then Upgrade.

Let me know if it works.


You should also download CCleaner and do a reg clean after you uninstall.
Do it before you install the old version.

 

I will give it a try.

But I have a feeling that its Windows problem. As I'm getting lots of errors just as the MS article says.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328213

contacted them for hotfix but the hotfix doesn't work either lol.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks.