Can't MSN with Vista

[pipsmith]

When I try to run Instant Messenger it stops working before I get a chance to
enter my password.

I had this problem last year. I think I was recommended to download the
latest version of windows or Vista. Whatever I did it worked then.

Unfortunately my hard disk failed. When it was replaced I had to install
Windows Vista Home again from the CD. Now I have the same problem with
Messenger - it won't work. It wont run and says something about a DEP error.

I tried logging the problem with microsoft. The guy who e-mailed me back
referred me to some "thread" which recommended either downloading something
to change the PC registry or disabling DEP.

I'm not very technical and do not want to do something that might cause an
even bigger problem with my PC.

Any ideas on what I should do next.

[StephenB]

First of all, I'd suggest going to the correct newsgroup:
If you are referring to MSN Messenger (which I doubt)-
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.msn.messenger&cat=en_us_eacf1192-fd8d-427c-938b-a7035d4bdad1&lang=en&cr=us
If you are using Windows Live Messenger-
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.live.messenger&cat=en_us_0f43cf19-5af1-4912-9a55-f5ff1f9fd904&lang=en&cr=us

What version of Messenger are you using? You should be running Windows Live
Messenger 2009 on Vista at this point:
available from http://download.live.com
If you are using the latest version after a reinstall of Vista, and you are
getting a DEP error *and* support for Messenger recommended disabling DEP, then
I would suggest that this would be the way to go. If it does not work, respond
to the support message per the instructions in the email to continue your
support case until it is resolved.
-steve

pipsmith <pips...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
sbo...@mvps.org

[pipsmith]

Thank you for the info re correct group. I'm very new to all of this and
all advice is very much apppreciated.

[pipsmith]

Stephen,

Thank you for directing me to the correct group.

It was not an official suggestion from support that I should disable DEP
rather a reference to a usergroup suggestion. Technical Support did not
answer my query re the wider implication of either disabling DEP or changing
the registry entry. As I have been without a PC for over 60 days I do not
want to do anything that might cause other operating system problems.

Surely DEP is there for a reason.