I wouldn't recommend disabling your firewall, you need it.
You need to edit your
hosts file...
So, depending on the Operating System you have, go to Start > Run and enter the appropriate folder and press OK:
Windows 95/98/Me: c:\windows\hosts
Windows NT/2000/XP Pro: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
Windows XP Home: c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
You need to open the file in notepad:
Now, put the following lines in the file:
code:
65.54.239.80 messenger.hotmail.com
65.54.239.80 dp.msnmessenger.akadns.net
and go to File > Save and then your all done
Now Restart Windows Live Messenger and it should work.