Vista - Missing contacts list

Lots of people from what I see in Microsoft Communities and other forums
including me are experiencing problems with missing contacts list in the
latest incarnation of Windows Live Messenger 2009.
I'm using a P4 with XP Home Edition SP3 and was forced to upgrade to WLM
2009 when I installed the MSN Toolbar. I tried uninstalling WLM 2009 and
re-install MSN Messenger 8.5 but was also forced to upgrade to the WLM 2009.
My contacts list do show up when I log in via my Live ID or when logging in
via MSN Web Messenger, eBuddy, or Meebo. I have tried all the suggested fixes
like deleting the the contacts folder, exporting them from Live ID in vain.
I suggest Microsoft allow users to re-install and use the 8.5 version while
working out a fix for the buggy WLM 2009.

Greetings,

What exactly is forcing you to upgrade? There's no forced upgrade to use 2009 over 8.5. The
installer will upgrade you automatically, sure, but you can just do a manual install.

For instance, use ZapMessenger to uninstall Messenger 2009:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/redir/zapmessenger.asp

and then install 8.5 directly by just running the Microsoft Installer file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/redir/wlm85.asp

Also, if you're interested in helping out with working out what the actual problem is, just
send me an e-mail.

--
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
--

"ngkh" <ngkh@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:8709D534-8991-4A5B-AF8D-27E9009DFCF9@xxxxxx

Thanks for the prompt reply Jonathan,
I'm aware of Zapmessenger and DeepClean. I'm currently using Windows
Messenger Version 4.7.3001 temporarily until WLM 2009 is fixed and it works
fine. I do not wish to take the risk of using ZapMessenger/DeepClean as it
will remove it and I'm not sure if I can get Windows Messenger back if
Version 8.5 fails to work out. Can you tell me how to get Windows Messenger
back if WLM 8.5 does not work after using ZapMessenger/DeepClean ? I do not
wish to use restore points and I do not have any backups/XP Home CD so
re-installation is out.

As to "forced to upgrade to WLM 2009", there were no warning messages or
whatsoever when I installed the MSN Toolbar that it will remove MSN Messenger
8.5. I only realised it was forcibly upgraded to WLM 2009 when I launched it.

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

Uninstalled WLM 2009, Windows Live Upload Tool, Sign-In Assistant, without
using ZapMessenger, re-installed WLM 8.5 and its working now. Whoopee !!

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

Hi,

Glad to hear it. Just to comment on your previous question from your other post, I'm not
sure about DeepClean, but ZapMessenger will attempt to a normal uninstallation of Messenger
prior to doing anything drastic. It's just a quick way to uninstall it under normal
conditions.

--
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
--

"ngkh" <ngkh@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:605E3A89-8FD9-40B7-8A75-74DAC77A779D@xxxxxx

WLM 8.5's fine with me. Thanks for the link to download it. Ciao !

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

The issue has to be PC settings/file related.

I have MSN on both my work & home PC, signing in as the same account on each
depending on where I am.

I upgraded my home PC without issue & am using WLM 9

My PC at work though refuses to show my contacts

I have tried all the various tweeks & cache deletes found on forums, none
have worked.

I am back to using WLM 8.1 at work !!