Vista - Error on installation

I can't install any windows live products, every time i attempt it comes up with ' there was a problem with installation. Windows live suite was not installed. System error details
Code: 0x8000ffff
Description: catastrophic failure'
Any way to fix this would be much appreciated
Cheers, Ed

Greetings,

A few things could be causing this problem. The first problem may be that you have a
previous installation of one of the Windows Live components. To correct this, head over to
Programs and Features or Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel and look for 'Windows
Live Essentials'. If it exists, choose the option and choose to uninstall/modify it's
installation. Then when prompted, uninstall all Windows Live products currently installed.

Then go ahead and try installing again.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--

"EdwardLockwoodJ" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:c35bb8009f766e59167d0264d6c5d6e4@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

Well i've now been able to install, thanks for that. But now when i try sign it the windows live communication platform crashes and i can't sign in? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers, Edward

Hi Edward,

Since you had a previous version installed, it's possible the local cache of contacts is
messed up (the beta build was notorious for corrupting this).

To hopefully fix this, shut down Messenger and delete one of the following folders;
On XP you can find this folder at:
\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live
Contacts

On Vista, you'll find it at:
\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts

Where username is your Windows username. Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden
if browsing by default, so to see them simply press the Alt key on the keyboard in any
Windows Explorer window to bring up the toolbar, click Tools, then Folder Options, then the
View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden files and folders'. After click OK, they should appear
with the other folders.

After removing the Windows Live Contacts folder, start up Messenger again and try to log in.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--

"EdwardLockwoodJ" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:34321dbaeccc1fdaa2666d24c1ce3d88@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

Just done this, thanks for the help so far, still not working i am on vista 32 bit (home premium i think). It's comes up with windows live connections platform has stopped working then closes it? thanks ed

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
I am having same issue tried both fixes listed and no improvement. the odd
thing is, if i hit the debug button on the error message i can actually use
the messenger for about a 2 to 3 minutes before the message comes up again.
if i try hitting the debug button again it signs me out. the application
isn't crashing but rather just signing me out.