Windows Messenger Updates Required [Archive]

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 03:00 PM

<a href="http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Upgrades.aspx">http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Upgrades.aspx</a> By now, many of you have received an announcement in the email account you have associated with your .NET Passport account that gives some information about a required update to the Messenger client. In fact, some of you have received multiple copies due to a glitch in the system sending out the announcements. :oops: <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030819-messenger.gif" /> As of now, there is no fix for Pocket PC and Smartphone devices, but it is coming and should be here before the .NET service blocks access to old clients. We'll keep you up to date on the progress and let you know as soon as it is available. I have no clue if it is a RAM install, in the form of an EUU ROM update, or if it will be part of a new ROM image from your OEM. Updated clients are available for Windows and Mac PCs, so go ahead and get on a valid version as soon as possible.

gorkon280

08-19-2003, 03:08 PM

Well they finally let me accept files sent by other users? Will emoticons finally be viewable on PPC? Will you be able to use VoIP features like the desktop? Inquiring minds would like to know!

MBaas

08-19-2003, 03:57 PM

In fact, some of you have received multiple copies due to a glitch in the system sending out the announcements. :oops:

6 copies so far...
Trustworthy Computing :rofl:

Jason Dunn

08-19-2003, 04:03 PM

You'd think that many people would have updated to 6.0 by now, so this doesn't seem like a big deal...

Janak Parekh

08-19-2003, 04:10 PM

Sven Johannsen

08-19-2003, 04:31 PM

Haven't received an official notification so I don't know if this is covered. Note that there is a difference between Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger. Both (or whichever one you have) need to be updated to be ready for the server upgrades. The revision numbers are different for ther two products and the capabilities are different. Last I checked the MSN Messenger could not access an Exchange based messaging system, while the Windows Messenger could.

So see which you have and stay with it when you upgrade, unless you know there is no particular reason you need one or the other and have a reason to change. The page linked in the initial post has references for both versions.

easylife

08-19-2003, 05:02 PM

You'd think that many people would have updated to 6.0 by now, so this doesn't seem like a big deal...

6.0 isn't compatable with Windows 95, and OS upgrades aren't compatable with my Pentium 100 box... so no upgrade to 6.0 for me... :cry: ... but MS does provide a MSN messenger version that's 95 compatable and able to connect to their services in the future, so I'm all set. :wink:

brianchris

08-19-2003, 05:03 PM

I haven't been notified either.....funny how some get six notifications and some get none :roll:

I use Windows Messenger, but it sounds like both are affected. Oh well, I'll keep my eyes open.

-Brian

Janak Parekh

08-19-2003, 05:08 PM

6.0 isn't compatable with Windows 95, and OS upgrades aren't compatable with my Pentium 100 box... so no upgrade to 6.0 for me... :cry: ... but MS does provide a MSN messenger version that's 95 compatable and able to connect to their services in the future, so I'm all set. :wink:
I hate to tell you this, but Win95 isn't supported in any way by Microsoft, and you need to see about upgrading to a new machine, if necessary (although WinMe should work on a P-100, perhaps with a BIOS upgrade). Most importantly, you can't get critical updates for Win95...

--janak

Jimmy Dodd

08-19-2003, 05:12 PM

I'm up to nine notifications. Do I get a prize for receiving the most?? :D

You'd think that many people would have updated to 6.0 by now, so this doesn't seem like a big deal...

You might be surprised at how nervous some of us are at upgrading anything that doesn't seem absolutely necessary. This is my development laptop and I am very hesitant to upgrade anything on it that might break existing applications - especially the five IDEs I have to keep up and running on a daily basis (Studio 6.0, Studio.NET, Studio.NET 2003, eMbedded VC++ 3.0, eMbedded C++ 4.0). Microsoft has a tendency to release products with new bells and whistles that don't always leave the old bells and whistles alone. I seem to get killed with every COM object that gets installed. :roll:

Take it from me, he who hesitates is not always lost.

peterawest

08-19-2003, 05:33 PM

AIM has a nice auto-upgrade facility; Microsoft should adopt the same for MSNM.

Windows Messenger already does this. When Windows Messenger logs in you get a little popup message alerting you to the opportunity to download and install the latest update.

Also, when you use the Windows Update feature in Windows XP you are also told if there is an update. You can choose to download and install it then too.

Works great.

easylife

08-19-2003, 05:33 PM

I hate to tell you this, but Win95 isn't supported in any way by Microsoft, and you need to see about upgrading to a new machine, if necessary (although WinMe should work on a P-100, perhaps with a BIOS upgrade). Most importantly, you can't get critical updates for Win95...

I know, I know.... :( However, I see the investment into a computer like an investment into a car: just because there are faster and more capable ones out there doesn't mean that yours runs slower or is less capable than the day you bought it. :wink: Oh, and I am actually planning on buying a new computer soon! :D

Janak Parekh

08-19-2003, 05:44 PM

Windows Messenger already does this. When Windows Messenger logs in you get a little popup message alerting you to the opportunity to download and install the latest update.
Now that I think about it, you're right. :oops: I guess I update MSNM too quickly. ;)

What does annoy me is this whole duality about Windows Messenger vs. MSN Messenger, though -- and the fact that you can trivially have both installed in XP.

--janak

paqguy

08-19-2003, 05:47 PM

dma1965

08-19-2003, 06:10 PM

What really annoys me about upgrades specific to Pocket PC Built in ROM applications is that Microsoft, and other vendors, seem to have no set standard for how the upgrade is accomplished. Sometimes the upgrade is a XIP upgrade, which overwrites the ROM and does not take any of our precious memory, other times it is not, and programs like Reader come along and zap us for huge chunks of memory. If the technology exists to create a XIP upgrade, which it does, why don't vendors use it for all built in apps ? If messenger is not released as a XIP update, I will just not use it on my device. I do not need it that badly, at least not as much as I need memory. :devilboy:

Kati Compton

08-19-2003, 06:27 PM

I'm up to nine notifications. Do I get a prize for receiving the most?? :D
Nope - I have 10...

Well, hopefully Trillian (http://www.trillian.cc) will be prompt in updating to be compatable.

qmrq

08-19-2003, 06:35 PM

In fact, some of you have received multiple copies due to a glitch in the system sending out the announcements. :oops:

6 copies so far...
Trustworthy Computing :rofl:

I've gotten over twenty.. :roll:

easylife

08-19-2003, 06:42 PM

I've gotten over twenty.. :roll:

Can you share some? I haven't gotten any yet... :cry:

qmrq

08-19-2003, 06:42 PM

...WinMe...

--janak

:pukeface2:

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 06:49 PM

You'd think that many people would have updated to 6.0 by now, so this doesn't seem like a big deal...
MSN Messenger doesn't play well with corporate networks that use Exchange's messaging service, so we are all still on Windows Messenger, and quite content with 4.7.200.

Not everyone upgrades to the latest greatest Jason. :wink:

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 06:50 PM

6.0 isn't compatable with Windows 95, and OS upgrades aren't compatable with my Pentium 100 box... so no upgrade to 6.0 for me... :cry: ... but MS does provide a MSN messenger version that's 95 compatable and able to connect to their services in the future, so I'm all set. :wink:
I hate to tell you this, but Win95 isn't supported in any way by Microsoft

MS has a link just for Win95 users for MSN MEssenger 5.

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 06:51 PM

I'm up to nine notifications. Do I get a prize for receiving the most?? :D
Nope - I have 10...

Well, hopefully Trillian (http://www.trillian.cc) will be prompt in updating to be compatable.
This may be a security issue that forever breaks Trillian.

Kati Compton

08-19-2003, 07:11 PM

Well, hopefully Trillian (http://www.trillian.cc) will be prompt in updating to be compatable.
This may be a security issue that forever breaks Trillian.
Well, they've had pretty good updates to handle changes Yahoo! kept making. So I'm still hopeful.

James Fee

08-19-2003, 07:33 PM

Well, they've had pretty good updates to handle changes Yahoo! kept making. So I'm still hopeful.
True... MS is not blocking the clients, just making sure that they are all "up to date"... From what I've read on the Trillian forums, Trillian 2.0 is compatible, but the free .74 might not be. MS has always helped out Trillian in the past with updates and I would assume they would in this case.

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 07:35 PM

MS has always helped out Trillian in the past with updates and I would assume they would in this case.
I didn't realize that. I see no reason for that to change. Cool.

questionlp

08-19-2003, 08:30 PM

I use Gaim on my Windows and FreeBSD machines (http://gaim.sourceforge.net) since I can log into multiple IM services with one client (like Trillian, but Gaim is also open source and I use aspell with it for spell checking too ;)).

I refuse to use ad-laden IM clients, mostly ones that are even more buggy and bloated than Gaim :D

toml

08-19-2003, 08:33 PM

From the web site:

Your device manufacturer will be contacting you soon when an upgrade is available for your device.

Oh, yeah, that'll happen, sure. I have a Toshiba. :cry:

questionlp

08-19-2003, 08:36 PM

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 08:41 PM

From the web site:

Your device manufacturer will be contacting you soon when an upgrade is available for your device.

Oh, yeah, that'll happen, sure. I have a Toshiba. :cry:No, that is for CE.NET devices. For Pocket PC and Smartphone, it says:We're sorry but there is no upgrade available for the Pocket PC and Smartphone devices at this time. You will be contacted soon regarding when an upgrade will become available for your device.That means MS will do the update and likely means it will be RAM since OEMs generally do the ROM stuff.

Jason Dunn

08-19-2003, 09:06 PM

Nah. You'd be amazed -- most "average" end-users don't bother upgrading, even with all the cool new features. AIM has a nice auto-upgrade facility; Microsoft should adopt the same for MSNM.

But that's just it - Messenger prompts you with a "There's a new version available, would you like to upgrade?". That makes it VERY easy for people to upgrade.

toml

08-19-2003, 09:37 PM

From the web site:

Your device manufacturer will be contacting you soon when an upgrade is available for your device.

Oh, yeah, that'll happen, sure. I have a Toshiba. :cry:No, that is for CE.NET devices. For Pocket PC and Smartphone, it says

Ah, you're right, at least in my instance. Thanks.

However, Toshiba *does* have a CE.NET device (or two?). If I had one, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an update supplied by them. Which is exactly why I *don't* have one :D

ctmagnus

08-19-2003, 10:01 PM

Not everyone upgrades to the latest greatest Jason. :wink:

You mean there is a later greater Jason than the one I already have? ;)

Ed Hansberry

08-19-2003, 10:02 PM

However, Toshiba *does* have a CE.NET device (or two?). If I had one, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an update supplied by them. Which is exactly why I *don't* have one :D
There is a difference. Tosh. can argue that the e740, a 2002 device, isn't broken because 2003 came out. Valid. Stupid, but valid.

If they have any CE.NET only devices, IM on those will cease to function when MS flips a switch. Tosh. can choose not to upgrade them, but that will really tick off their customers. There is a difference in being one year behind in the latest greatest and having a device that no longer works as advertised.

ctmagnus

08-19-2003, 10:02 PM

But that's just it - Messenger prompts you with a "There's a new version available, would you like to upgrade?". That makes it VERY easy for people to upgrade.

And when you click the What's New button, you get

Error: Access is Denied.

Edit: If you change the .ca in the url to .com it passes you through to the What's New page.

Jonathan1

08-20-2003, 01:12 AM

Most importantly, you can't get critical updates for Win95...

--janak

LOL why would you even need to update anyways. None of the current viruses or holes affect Win95. There a running joke at my company that we should downgrade to Windows 95 to patch all our systems.

95 aside. I've never touched messenger mainly due to its lack of cross platform support. AIM is available for all version of Windows, Mac, Linux, and Palm and has the widest user base around.

Janak Parekh

08-20-2003, 01:31 AM

You know, I've always wondered what the difference was. IS there a difference - XP seems to force me to keep Windows Messenger, but I always use MSN Messenger.
MSNM (6 at least) has some neat new features (but no Exchange support).

...WinMe...:pukeface2:
I never said it was a good choice; but at least it's still supported. Or are you suggesting he run Win2k on a P100? ;)

MS has a link just for Win95 users for MSN MEssenger 5.
Right, but I don't think you'll see MSNM6 on Win9x anytime soon.

LOL why would you even need to update anyways. None of the current viruses or holes affect Win95. There a running joke at my company that we should downgrade to Windows 95 to patch all our systems.
Well, I guess you can live without updates if you don't use IE, OE, Outlook, etc. -- anything that uses the IE control. Also, is the Teardrop patch still available? (I guess you can do a manual download of it on the MS downloads page for Win95, but it's still a hassle). Don't forget the drivers, etc. I know some people look fondly at Win95, but I for one am glad it's disappearing (given my years of hell with early PnP, PCI, drivers, etc. as a sysadmin).

But that's just it - Messenger prompts you with a "There's a new version available, would you like to upgrade?". That makes it VERY easy for people to upgrade.
I know, I already admitted that I stand (and sit and lie down) corrected on this issue. ;)

--janak

William Yeung

08-20-2003, 02:24 AM

As a developer, currently I would recommend all .NET developer to stay away from MSN 6. I have experienced myself, very happy with the messenger until one day, I discovered it ruin up my Global Assembly Cache- none of the Assembly you have put into GAC can be uninstalled once you have installed MSN6. I have uninstalled MSN 6 according to ppl reported on newsgroup, since then everything works fine.

I know its so UNBELIEVEABLE for a messenger client to do such big issue with your computer's basic component service. But thats the fact right now.

Dear MS, what are you thinking? Stop making money and fix your software! (haha the Blaster joke... well I appreciate MS make money, but pls still, fix software!)

denivan

08-20-2003, 02:46 AM

really disappointed, I just moved all my friends to Trillian and now it's not even sure if it'll keep working :-(

Kati Compton

08-20-2003, 04:25 AM

really disappointed, I just moved all my friends to Trillian and now it's not even sure if it'll keep working :-(
I think it's pretty likely it'll be updated.

Stephen Beesley

08-20-2003, 10:40 AM

From the web site:

Your device manufacturer will be contacting you soon when an upgrade is available for your device.

Oh, yeah, that'll happen, sure. I have a Toshiba. :cry:
And probably for us Jornada users too. :(

Yes I have a very bad feeling about this.....

Now that my Jornada is wireless I have finally been getting some use out of Messenger and then this!

Goldtee

RussHart

08-20-2003, 02:13 PM

What does annoy me is this whole duality about Windows Messenger vs. MSN Messenger, though -- and the fact that you can trivially have both installed in XP.

--janak

You know, I've always wondered what the difference was. IS there a difference - XP seems to force me to keep Windows Messenger, but I always use MSN Messenger.

In XP you can remove Windows Messenger, simply go to Contol Panel, Add/Remove programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, and can remove it from there. However, doing this does annoy Outlook 2002, it relies on Windows Messenger and can't be forced to use the (fuller featured) MSN Messenger (that I'm aware of..)

Steven Cedrone

08-20-2003, 05:58 PM

O.K., now it's official: :nonono:

Steven Cedrone
Community Moderator

Steven Cedrone

08-20-2003, 06:14 PM

Off-topic posts about old computers have been moved here... (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16870&highlight=)

Steve

Janak Parekh

08-20-2003, 06:39 PM

Unsplitting the following comment...

In XP you can remove Windows Messenger, simply go to Contol Panel, Add/Remove programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, and can remove it from there.
AFAIK, this doesn't actually remove it from the hard drive -- it just hides it from the Start Menu.

--janak

peterawest

08-20-2003, 07:27 PM

really disappointed, I just moved all my friends to Trillian and now it's not even sure if it'll keep working :-(

Note this quote from the article "Microsoft Urges Messenger Upgrade" in eWeek magazine:

Microsoft has informed its business partners about the changes, but users of instant-messaging platforms from third parties that don't have formal agreements with Microsoft—such as Cerulean Studio's Trillian—will lose access to the network, Sundwall said.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1225933,00.asp

PlayAgain?

08-20-2003, 09:36 PM

:twisted: And of course, there's the mass of Java enabled smartphones that will suddenly stop working with MSN IM now that this little change is taking place. :twisted:

How convenient :twisted:

Abba Zabba

08-21-2003, 07:24 AM

You'd think that many people would have updated to 6.0 by now, so this doesn't seem like a big deal...
Nah. You'd be amazed -- most "average" end-users don't bother upgrading, even with all the cool new features. AIM has a nice auto-upgrade facility; Microsoft should adopt the same for MSNM.

--janak

I didn't even know there was a upgrade till I someone told me a few weeks ago. I felt kinda dumb when they tried to use a emoticon and I was like what are you typing and they said haven't you upgraded yet Mr. technology. :oops: I felt kinda dumb :oops: