Hmm..

The reason for posting this thread was because I fell for this prank () where you put something in your psm and it disconnects you from Messenger, therefore you can never sign in again. To fix it, you have to delete the C:\Documents and Settings\CHRIS\local settings\application data\microsoft\windows live contacts\[MY EMAIL] folder.

So I deleted the folder and I can sign in, but theres one problem: Since I deleted the folder (which I still have saved on my desktop), all my contacts have been moved from their group to 'Other Contacts'.

I thought I could fix this by going into the folder I deleted and just deleting the psm, then replace with the old folder, but I can't see anything in the folder (which is why I posted the thread before). I also can't see anything in any of the folders in \windows live contacts\, but I know there is files and folders in there. screenshot.

Soo.. how do I get my contacts back to their oginal group?? I didn't think my contacts + their groups were saved on my pc () Weird? I would replace the new folder with the old folder (which I'm guessing has which contacts goes in which group) but I can't sign in because of the prank (). Don't really want to sort each 200+ contacts one-by-one into their group (). I've also tried going on web messenger, but the contacts are still in 'other contacts' group.

Thanks,
Chris

P.S. If you don't understand what I'm talking about, I'll explain in a different way, just let me know.

let me guess, this is the same as:
http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=74160
?

Yes.

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
What you can try in the mean time is deleting your contacts cache:
1) completely close Messenger (right click the tray icon and choose 'exit').
2) Remove the directories:
   \Documents and Settings\your_username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts\your_windows_live_id\
   \Documents and Settings\your_username\Contacts\your_windows_live_id\

Note: some directories might be hidden, so make sure you have enabled the viewing of systemand hidden files in Windows Explorer's options.

It is worth a try as it wouldn't harm anything. It only might take a bit longer to log in the first time after you did this.

---

'seeing' stuff in folders is a general Windows problem (well Windows Explorer problem). I can't see how this has got anything todo with WLM...

Also if you did delete those folders, nothing should be there to see in the first place.

Well I followed your instructions by deleting everything but didn't work , so now I lost all my settings, emoticons, display pictures, eevverryythhing, aswell as my contacts's groups. That sucks (Not blaming you Cookie, thanks for trying).

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris4
Well I followed your instructions by deleting everything but didn't work , so now I lost all my settings, emoticons, display pictures, eevverryythhing, aswell as my contacts's groups. That sucks (Not blaming you Cookie, thanks for trying).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris4
Well I followed your instructions by deleting everything but didn't work , so now I lost all my settings, emoticons, display pictures, eevverryythhing, aswell as my contacts's groups. That sucks (Not blaming you Cookie, thanks for trying).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris4
Well I followed your instructions by deleting everything but didn't work , so now I lost all my settings, emoticons, display pictures, eevverryythhing, aswell as my contacts's groups. That sucks (Not blaming you Cookie, thanks for trying).

---

Sorry to hear you lost everything, but I said (in PM) to only try that when deleting those other two folders failed to solve it. Reading your posts you didn't deleted those two folders, but tried all kinds of things (restoring old directories, etc)... And in the post were I state how to erase _all_ data of Messenger it is also stated that _everything_ will be cleared :/

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris4
I sent an email to WLM Support.

---

Didn't help, but here's what they told me to do. Basically what Cookie told me to do, deletes everything.

quote:

---

Hello Chris,

Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. My name is Rene, and I will be happy to help you with this question.

According to your email, all your contacts 'moved' to the "Other contacts" group after you deleted the contacts cache. I also understand you had to do this because you could not sign in to Windows Live Messenger. I totally understand how important it is for you to have this issue resolved in a timely manner.

This issue may have occurred if a Windows Live Messenger file got corrupt.

To fix this problem, please follow these steps in the order they appear:

1.  Remove Messenger from the computer.

a.  In the notification area, right-click the Messenger icon, and then click Sign Out.
b.  Click Start, click Run, type control appwiz.cpl , and then click OK. 
c.  In the list of currently installed programs, select Windows Live Messenger, and then click Remove.
d.  If you are prompted to confirm, click Yes.


2.  Remove the temporary files and folders from the computer:

a.  Click Start, click Run, type cleanmgr , and then click OK.
b.  If you are prompted, click C: in the Select the drive you want to clean up list, and then click OK.

Notes . If you partitioned the hard disk, the CleanMgr utility prompts you to select a drive.
. The Disk Cleanup utility displays how much disk space can be freed.
. This process can take several minutes.

c.  On the Disk Cleanup tab, make sure that only the following options are selected: . Downloaded Program Files
. Temporary Internet Files
. Temporary files
. Temporary Offline Files
. Offline Files

d.  Click OK two times.


3.  Delete Messenger related cache files

a.  Click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then press ENTER to open a command window. Execute the following commands one at a time and hit Enter after each command to execute each of them.
b.  The following commands delete files that are used when you sign in and files that are related to the Contacts Cache folders.
del "%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\IdentityCRL"
del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\IdentityCRL"
del "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts"
del "%USERPROFILE%\Contacts"
c.  The following commands delete files related to sharing folders. Executing this command may result in deleting the files your contacts shared with you or that you shared with your contacts using the sharing Folders feature. Please create a backup of these files , if desired, before executing the next two commands.
del "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\<Users Live ID>\Sharing Folders"
del "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\<Users Live ID>\SharingMetaData" 

4.  Delete Messenger-associated registry keys.

Important: The following steps contain information about how to modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up, and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, visit the following Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986
Warning: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

a.  If using Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then press ENTER to open the command window. 
b.  Type the following commands exactly as they appear below. Press ENTER after typing each command to execute the command.

Note: In some case you may encounter the error that the key does not exist. If you have typed the command correctly, this may be because the key has already been removed earlier or does not exists on your machine.
REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger /f
REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSNMessenger /f
REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Live\Communications Clients\Shared /f
REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL /f
REG DELETE HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\usnjsvc /f


5.  Restart the computer.


6.  Reinstall Messenger:

a.  Visit the following Web site:
http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
b.  Click Get it free or click Download now.
c.  In the File Download window, click Open or click Run.
d.  Follow the steps to install Messenger.

Thanks again for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support and for using Microsoft products. Have a great day!

For questions or self-help with Windows Live Messenger, at anytime you may also visit:   https://account.live.com/helpcentral.aspx?mkt=en-us

Best Regards,

Rene
Windows Live Messenger Technical Support

With Windows Live Messenger, you can now talk to your Yahoo! Messenger friends.  To learn more, paste this link in your browser:
http://get.live.com/messenger/addyahoo

Find out how easy all-in-one PC care can be with the 90-day free trial of Windows Live OneCare. To get started, paste this link in your browser:
http://www.windowsonecare.com/purchase/trial.aspx?sc_cid=SPT_msgr

---

Very interesting mail though.... Thanks for posting it...

So, this didn't helped either? (it lists even more Messenger related stuff to delete need to update my posts regarding this apparently...)

Could you keep in contact with this technical support guy and report that it doesn't worked? I'm very interested in this...

(if you did all that and it didn't worked, I almost must be a remote problem and not locally, no?)

btw: did you mentionned the cause of all this to him, that 'prank' I mean?

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
Very interesting mail though.... Thanks for posting it...

So, this didn't helped either? (it lists even more Messenger related stuff to delete need to update my posts regarding this apparently...)

Could you keep in contact with this technical support guy and report that it doesn't worked? I'm very interested in this...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
(if you did all that and it didn't worked, I almost must be a remote problem and not locally, no?)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
btw: did you mentionned the cause of all this to him, that 'prank' I mean?

---

quote:

---

Service :  [Service:]
  Windows Live Messenger

What type of problem do you have?  [What type of problem do you have?]
  I can sign in, but I need something fixed  []
  Working with Messenger Contacts or Groups  []
  other  []

Full Name:  [Full Name:]
  Chris Lozeau

What e-mail address would you like a response sent to?  [What e-mail address would you like a response sent to?]
*hidden*

Primary e-mail address/member ID associated with the account you are inquiring about:  [Primary e-mail address/member ID associated with the account you are inquiring about:]
*hidden*

Be specific when describing your problem. The details that you include enable us to promptly send you the most likely solution to your issue.  [Be specific when describing your problem. The details that you include enable us to promptly send you the most likely solution to your issue.]
  I fell for a prank, by putting something in my personal message. This then makes it so you can never sign in to WLM again. To fix it, you have to delete C:\Documents and Settings\CHRIS\local settings\application data\microsoft\windows live contacts\[MY EMAIL]

So, I deleted that folder, then I could sign in. One problem - All my contacts have been put into 'Other contacts' group.

I thought that the information about which group my contacts are in was saved on the WLM servers, correct? Not my PC? So I can't see why deleting that folder would do anything, it's only cache, isn't it?

So basically I'm stuck with all my contacts in the 'Other contacts' group. Is there any way you could help me get them back to how they was? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Chris

Which Version of Messenger are you running? (Within Messenger, click the ''Help'' menu and then select ''About'' to find the current version.)  [Which Version of Messenger are you running? (Within Messenger, click the ''Help'' menu and then select ''About'' to find the current version.)]
  Windows Live Messenger 8.1

What is the frequency of the problem?  [Frequency of the issue:]
  First time

Where are you trying to connect from?  [Where are you trying to connect from?]
  Home

If you have a firewall, which one?  [If you have a firewall, which one?]
  Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall

What type of internet connection do you have?  [Type of Internet connection:]
  Cable Modem

Which operating system are you using?Windows XP: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.8.1.3) Gecko/20070309 Firefox/2.0.0.3  [Which operating system are you using?]

Which browser are you using: Firefox2.0.0.3  [Which browser are you using]

Location: en-gb - English (Great Britain)  [Location: en-gb - English (Great Britain)]

---

They replied but with something completely different

I said..

quote:

---

Thanks, but unfortunately this did not help with the contact groups being restored to how they was before I fell for the prank, it just deleted everything to do with WLM, etc.
...

---

quote:

---

...
According to your email, the issue is about Windows Live Messenger is not letting you to work with Instant Messages and after that it disconnect suddenly. I certainly understand how important it is for you to have this feature working properly.

---

quote:

---

Hello Chris,

Thank you for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support. My name is Spencer and I will be happy to help you with this issue. First, I would like to apologize for the delay of this response. We have received an unusually high number of e-mails in the past few days, making it difficult to respond as quickly as we would like.

According to your email, the issue is about Windows Live Messenger is not letting you to work with Instant Messages and after that it disconnect suddenly. I certainly understand how important it is for you to have this feature working properly.

To get this feature working properly again, please follow these steps in the order they appear:

To perform a clean installation of Messenger, follow these steps:
1. Remove Messenger from the computer.
a. In the notification area, right-click the Messenger icon, and then click Sign Out. 
b. Click Start, click Run, type control appwiz.cpl , and then click OK. If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, type control appwiz.cpl, and then press ENTER. 
c. In the list of currently installed programs, select MSN Messenger or select Windows Live Messenger, and then click Remove. 
d. If you are prompted to confirm, click Yes. 

2.  Remove the temporary files and folders from the computer:

. For Microsoft Windows XP.

a. Click Start, click Run, type cleanmgr , and then click OK. 
b. If you are prompted, click C: in the Select the drive you want to clean up list, and then click OK.

Notes:
. If you partitioned the hard disk, the CleanMgr utility prompts you to select a drive. 
. The Disk Cleanup utility displays how much disk space can be freed. 
. This process can take several minutes. 

c. On the Disk Cleanup tab, make sure that only the following options are selected:
. Downloaded Program Files 
. Temporary Internet Files 
. Temporary files 
. Temporary Offline Files 
. Offline Files 

d.  Click OK two times. 
 
3.  Delete Messenger related cache files

. For Windows Live Messenger on Windows XP:
a. Click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then press ENTER to open a command window. Execute the following commands one at a time and hit Enter after each command to execute each of them. 
b. The following commands delete files that are used when you sign in and files that are related to the Contacts Cache folders.
del "%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\IdentityCRL"
del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\IdentityCRL"
del "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts"
del "%USERPROFILE%\Contacts" 
c. The following commands delete files related to sharing folders. Executing this command may result in deleting the files your contacts shared with you or that you shared with your contacts using the sharing Folders feature. Please create a backup of these files , if desired, before executing the next two commands.
del "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\<Users Live ID>\Sharing Folders"
del "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\<Users Live ID>\SharingMetaData" 
 
4.  Delete Messenger-associated registry keys.

Important: The following steps contain information about how to modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up, and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, visit the following Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986
Warning: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Note: In some case you may encounter the error that the key does not exist. If you have typed the command correctly, this may be because the key has already been removed earlier or does not exists on your machine.
REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger /f
REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSNMessenger /f
REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Live\Communications Clients\Shared /f
REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL /f
REG DELETE HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\usnjsvc /f 


5. Restart the computer. 

6. Reinstall Messenger: a.  Visit the following Web site:
http://get.live.com/messenger/overview 
b.  Click Get it free or click Download now. 
c.  In the File Download window, click Open or click Run. 
d.  Follow the steps to install Messenger. 

Thanks again for contacting Windows Live Messenger Technical Support and for using Microsoft products. Have a great day!

Best Regards,

Spencer
Windows Live Messenger Technical Support

For questions or self-help with Windows Live Messenger, at anytime you may also visit: http://help.live.com

With Windows Live Messenger, you can now talk to your Yahoo! Messenger friends.  To learn more, paste this link in your browser:
http://get.live.com/messenger/addyahoo

Find out how easy all-in-one PC care can be with the 90-day free trial of Windows Live OneCare. To get started, paste this link in your browser:
http://www.windowsonecare.com/purchase/trial.aspx?sc_cid=SPT_msgr

---