start~run~scanreg, then click "ok"

It might take a moment or two and you'll probably have to restart your computer.

1. Click on Start -> Find -> Files or Folders
2. Search for sfc.dll. It should be under c:\windows\system32\.
3. Rename sfc.dll to sfc.dll.x [x could be any character(s)]
4. You should be able to do the installs now.
5. After you have installed the software, change sfc.dll.x back to
sfc.dll.
6. Done!

1601 Fix
1. Click START, and then click RUN.
2. In the OPEN box, Type msiexec /unreg, and then click OK
3. When this process is complete, click START, and then click RUN.
4. In the OPEN box, type msiexec /regserver, and then click OK.
5. Now install MSN 6.

open regedit (start, run, regedit).

goto My Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

change the value of key "Personal" to a path on your c-disk (for example c:\temp)

Then it ends and says error 1603

Now I can't even uninstall msn 6.0

Nothing works.

How can I restore the registry for msn ??

My error was saying invalid drive F:, do i mapped a new drive (f:) to a share on my pc (d$) and it worked perfectly.

I dunno about default share names on win 98/me, but if you have XP, or 2K you can try (insert the drive letter windows installer is asking for)
1. Go to start, run
2. Type command, and press ente
3. in the command prompt, type (not including quotation marks) "net use f: \\\c$ /persistent:no"

4. try the install again

1) Go into "Windows Explorer" right click your drive(s), click on "Properties" and allow "EVERYONE" Security FULL Permission for all directorys.

2) Go to Start-Run>type in: regedt32 then OK, and at the top of each category allow "Everyone" Security Permission and remove Restricted.

3) Shutdown:
a) Firewall
b) Pop-Up Stopper
c) Antivirus software

4) Go to Start>Programs>Administrative Tools>Services, scroll down and right click "Windows Installer" and "Start" it up.

5) Run the MSN Messenger Installer.

6) Reboot.

7) Go back and reset all of the above.

playa_95@hotmail.com
email jay_jay_kid@yahoo.com i need this

* Install the latest version of the windows installer (instmsiA.exe or instmsiW.exe).

For Windows 2000 and windows NT:
1. Download the InstMsiW.exe from the following location
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=32832

for windows 95, 98 or ME:
1. Download the InstMsiA.exe from the following location
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=32831

2. execute the file you downloaded
3. try to install msn messenger

This solution worked out fine for me, so maybe it's a solution to your installation woes as well.

grtz,

I WAS using windows NT 4 and downloaded msn windows messenger 4.7 no problem, however, i have since got a new PC and messenger 4.7 is still on it, but i know i have to upgrade to 6.0/1 but it wont let me when it tells me to ugrade, says about error code 1603 and also that i dont have sufficient privilidges, but i downloaded it no problem the first time, can anyone help, can it be emailed from another PC or anything ?

Do i delete version 4.7 before i download the newer version or anything ?

With regard to the first message

http://messenger.msn.com/help

ANY PEOPLE CAN HELP??
THXXX!!

http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5530

La respuesta de: Connor9220

si no arranca el servicio de windows Installer, intenta con la cuenta de Administrador.

What did he do to make it work?

Well, its too simple, but it worked in my case.

He loaded up Google, did a search for "msn messenger download", clicked on the first link, and downloaded the messenger from there. It downloaded in seconds, autoamtically setup in half a second, and worked. And still does! He made me look like a fool. But a very happy fool. He said doing th egoogle search helps to find THEEE authentic MSN messenger download site. Sounds too simple, but it worked in my case.

I hope it works for you all who are blighted with ERROR 1601!

REMOVING EMAIL ID'S FROM DROP DOWN MENU IN WINDOWS XP:

Log onto Windows as ADMINISTRATOR

go to control panel --> user accounts

click on your username (administrator)
once you click on it , a window will open
on the left top you would see "Manage my network passwords"
click on that
you can remove the login email address from there

FOR SIGN IN PROBLEMS DO THESE THINGS:

Click Start, then Run, and enter the following:
regsvr32 softpub.dll
then click OK
(DONT FORGET THE "SPACE" BETWEEN regsvr32 and softpub.dll)

1. The date on your computer needs to be set properly -- double click the
clock verify that the time and date are set.
2. If your password information is not saved, verify that you are typing it
in with the correct case (uppercase or lowercase).
3. Change your password @ http://memberservicesnet.passport.com/memberservice.srf to
something smaller (under 10-12 characters), then try signing in again.
4. If you use a firewall (like ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security etc. ),
it's possible that Messenger doesn't have the correct rights to access the Internet,
especially since you upgraded. You may need to re/add Messenger to the allowed list of programs
in your firewall if this is the case.
5. If you disabled your firewall in the past, it still may be blocking
Messenger -- try restarting it and see if that helps the situation. You also might try
uninstalling an installed firewall, to verify that it isn't causing a problem (even if it is
disabled).
6. Clear your IE cache and cookies -- open Internet Explorer, click the
Tools menu, then Internet Options, then click the Delete Files button, and when that's
complete click the Delete Cookies button.
7. Check your IE Security settings -- open Internet Explorer, click the
Tools menu, then Internet Options, then Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section, and
verify that "Check for server certificate revocation" is unchecked. Also verify that 'Use SSL
2.0' and Use SSL 3.0' is checked, then click OK.

IF UR ON WIN XP AND IT SAYS U HAVE SIGNED INTO MSN FROM ANOTHER LOCATION it's cuz WINDOWS MESSENGER IS RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND. Heres how to stop WINDOWS MESSENGER FROM AUTOMATICALLY LOADING WITHOUT DELETING IT:

TO DISABLE WINDOWS MESSENGER FROM LOADING:

Windows XP Home
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
Click Performance and Maintenance
Click Administrative Tools
Double click Services Scroll
down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK


Windows XP Professional
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
Click Administrative Tools
Click Services
Double click Services Scroll
down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK

To prevent Windows Messenger from signing in when you run Outlook Express

In Outlook Express, click Options on the Tools menu.
On the General tab, click to clear the Automatically log on to Windows Messenger check box.
Click OK

To prevent Windows Messenger from signing in when you run Outlook:

In Outlook, click Options on the Tools menu.
On the Other tab, click to clear the Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook check box.
Click OK.

If your account stays 'inactive' for over a period of 90 days, it will be permanently deleted.
U NEED TO SIGN IN AT LEAST once every 30 days to keep account active.
to unzfreeze account after not signing in once every 30 days just sign in.

INSTALLION FIXES:

some installation problems can be fixed by installing the new version of Windows Installer.
WIN XP ALREADY HAS Version 2.0 so it CAN'T be upgraded. WIN 95,98,ME CAN be upgraded from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=CEBBACD8-C094-4255-B702-DE3BB768148F
Windows Installer 2.0 Redistributable for Windows 95, 98, and Me is about 2MB

MAKE SURE U CLOSE ALL THE PROGRAMS IN THE TASK BAR. (INCLUDING AD-AWARE AND POPUP STOPPERS)!!!

TO CORRECT WINDOWS INSTALLER DO THIS:
WIN 2000 OR XP
click Start, Run, and then "copy" and "paste" the following command into the box:
%systemroot%\system32\dllcache\msiexec.exe /regserver
(DON'T FORGET THE "SPACE" BETWEEN msiexec.exe and /regserver

WIN 98 OR ME
click Start, Run, and then "copy" and "paste" the following command into the box:
C:\Windows\System\msiexec.exe /regserver
(don't forget the "space" between msiexec.exe and /regserver)
(You will need to change the C:\ to whichever drive Windows is on)

contact signs online and u can see that but then when I look the contact is
shown as offline.(THE COLOUR OF CONTACT)

Have you updated your NVIDIA TNT video drivers recently (from WindowsUpdate)? If so, what you're
seeing is a bug within those drivers, to correct this, you can either "roll back" the
drivers you installed or install an old version of the drivers from here:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/pc_winxp-2k_45.33.html

"We were unable to sign you in to .NET Messenger Service, possibly because of a problem with the service or with your Internet connection. Please make sure that you are connected to the Internet. 0x81000301"
ANOTHER FIX:
sumtimes changing ur password can help
OR
WINDOWS 98,ME

1) Click Start > Run
2) Type: %windir% and press enter.
3) Open Application Data and then the Microsoft folder.
4) Right-click the MSN Messenger folder and delete it.

Note: if you're using Profiles with Windows 98/ME, you'll need to go to the Profiles folder, choose your username and then go to the Application Data folder (then continue with the same
process). If you don't know if you have Profiles setup, most likely you do not (if you don't have Profiles folder in the Windows folder, then you aren't).

Now restart MSN Messenger and try to sign in again...

WINDOWS 2000, XP

1) Click Start > Run
2) Type: %appdata%\Microsoft and press enter.
3) Right-click the MSN Messenger folder and delete it.

Now restart MSN Messenger and try to sign in again...

ALSO MAKE SURE AD-AWARE OR SPYBOT AND POPUP STOPPERS ARE ALL CLOSED b4 u run the installation. Sumtimes they might be in the TASKBAR.

HERES SUM OTHER FIXES IF THE ABOVE DON'T WORK:

ERROR 1601 FIX

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type msiexec /unreg and then click OK.
(DON'T FORGET THE "SPACE" between msiexec and /unreg)

3. When this process is complete, click Start, and then click Run.

4. In the Open box, type msiexec /regserver,
(DON'T FORGET THE "SPACE" between msiexec and /regserver)

IF UR RUNNING WIN XP OR 2000 MAKE SURE UR WINDOWS INSTALLER SERVICE IS RUNNING. Heres how to check:

Start --> Settings --> Control Panel, Click on Administrative tools, then find and click on Services..
Then look for Windows Installer, which will be way down the list as it's in Alphabetical Order.
Make sure the service is running, if not, RIGHT click on it and choose Start,
you might also want to change it to start Automatically to avoid problems like this in the future.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type msiexec /unreg and then click OK.
(DON'T FORGET THE "SPACE" between msiexec and /unreg)

3. When this process is complete, click Start, and then click Run.

If you don't have Admin privvies, then I don't think you have much hope of solving this problem. I had the same issue, but the only way you can get around this is WITH admin privvies.
Part of the reason admin is ther is to stop people from downloading crap onto their systems, sadly, so we are all painted with the same brush.
Is this a home or business computer?
If it is a hom-based system, and there are Admin privvies, maybe you can contact the place where you got your system, software, etc, and see if they can supply you with the passwords.
I know that at MY work, the user name was "administrator", and the password was based on the asset tag on the harddrive.