Greetings Stuart,
To fix the first problem, close down Windows Messenger (right-click its icon and choose
Exit), then click Start, then Run, type "regedit" and then click OK. You'll now be in the
Registry Editor, if you're not familiar with it, this is where most configuration settings in
Windows end up. To fix your problem you'll need to navigate to the My
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MessengerService key (they look like folders
and navigation is the same as in Windows Explorer). After you find the MessengerService key,
click it, then click the Edit menu, then choose Delete. Confirm the operation and now the
MessengerService key should be completely gone. Then close the registry editor, click Start,
then All Programs, then Windows Messenger. Then, you'll need to sign in one more time
manually (type your login/password) into Windows Messenger, and after this it will once again
log on automatically.
Windows Messenger 5 does not check Hotmail accounts, this feature has moved to MSN Messenger
6.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources -
http://messenger.jonathankay.com