New ICQ 2000a install hangs during initial registration

[Ken Watson]

I just installed ICQ v2000a Beta Version on my new Dell laptop. It seems to
install fine, as it has no errors. After starting ICQ, the screen asking for
existing user information pops up. I put my user information in the
appropriate fields. ICQ then comes to the "Registering User" screen.

It is as this point that the software hangs, and will not proceed. I can see
initial network activity by watching the modem in my system tray, but ICQ is
now nonfunctional. The only way to close the program is to use
[CTRL][ALT]+[DEL] and select ICQ to End Task (it has [not responding] after
it).

I've tried reinstalling the software with no luck. I downloaded a fresh copy
from Mirabilis, no luck.

I'm running Windows98 Second Edition, have a Dell Inspiron 5000 PIII-600,
160M, 12G, internal Lucent Win Modem, local dialup ISP with the windows
dialup networking PPP connection.

Any ideas anybody?

Thanks for any help you may have.

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