Windows Messenger error in Media Center Edition 2005
As a result of a recently released security update for Windows Messenger, those of you using Media Center 2005 may run into an error message similar to the following:
There are two ways that I know of to fix this, and they are as follows:
Method 1 - Disable Messenger functionality in MCE2005 (per user)
- Go to the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\IMSettings
- Under the fEnableIM DWORD value, change that value from '1' to '0'
- Alternatively, download and merge the 'fixwmerror-method1 - wmintegrationdisabled.reg' from the zipped registry key files to make the above mentioned change. To re-enable Messenger integration, merge the 'fixwmerror-method1 - wmintegrationenabled.reg' file instead.
- Note that this fix is 'per-user' so you have to apply it for every user that is affected.
Method 2 - Exempt the Media Center 2005 from the security update (per-machine)
- Go to the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
- Create a new key called 'ehshell.exe' if it doesn't already exist.
- Create a new DWORD value called 'AllowMessengerExecHandleFailure' and assign it a value of '1'
- Alternatively, download and merge the following zipped registry key file to make the above mentioned change.
- Note that this fix is a global fix, so it affects all users on your computer system.
I believe the second fix is more comprenhensive, so that's the fix I'd recommend as you can continue to use Windows Messenger post-security updates. I've heard reports that the new update removes the UI choice as to whether or not to enable Messenger functionality, so if you want to turn on/off Messenger functionality in Media Center, you can also use that method.
I had the 5.1 version of Windows Messenger installed before the security update was installed, and I still have the Messenger UI choice within Media Center. It seems (though I'll need others to confirm) that those using the older 4.7 variants of Windows Messenger have lost the UI choice within Media Center.
I'd be interested to know if anyone lost the UI to enable/disable Messenger functionality within Media Center would regain it upon installing the latest version of Windows Messenger (5.1.0715).
To obtain the latest version of Windows Messenger, see the following kb article, How to obtain the latest version of Windows Messenger 5.1 (KB899283).
41 comments:
I had the same problem, I installed Messenger 5.1 and it didn't fix the issue. The disable option wasn't availiable in Media Center. After trying Method 2, the disable option appeared. I disabled it and no longer get that message, but Media Center still doesn't work. Now when I attempt to go to the TV, I see "Component Registration Failure: Some of the files needed to play radio or video are missing or corrupt. Media Center component registration may have failed"
Found something that worked for me.
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2005/10/18/482472.aspx
Did your TV work before? I can say with almost 100% certainty these two issues are not related. The 'Media Center component regitration failed' error is a very common issue caused by .net framework/Media Center interaction issues, with a fix as described on Aaron's blog. The issue caused by Windows Messenger is a different issue altogether, totally not related to the .net framework at all. I suspect you had both issues occuring concurrently but independent of each other.
Response to your question:
"I'll need others to confirm) that those using the older 4.7 variants of Windows Messenger have lost the UI choice within Media Center."
On my system with Messenger 4.7 the UI choice was indeed lost after the recent update, the messenger error appeared. After applying method 2 (as described in your blog) the Messenger error no longer appears at MCE startup and the UI choice is back in the MCE settings menu.
Jayson: "I can say with almost 100% certainty these two issues are not related. "
You're probably right. However it was working fine about a week ago, and after I installed the latest updates, they both popped up at the same time.
Thanks for your help with one of the problems!
Hi Jason,
I was getting the “Messenger” error message in MCE 2005, so first I removed KB94668 and the UI for “Messenger” came back. I installed KB94668 back and the error message came back and the UI was gone again. I then uninstalled KB94668 again and installed the latest version of “Messenger 5.1”. The error message came back (the UI in Settings/Messenger was gone and when I did a Windows Auto Update, it would not notify me that I could or needed KB946648. I then tried method 2 as noted in your blog and downloaded the zipped registry update. It installed and now the error message is gone and the UI in MCE Messenger is back as before.
Questions – Is KB946648 part of the latest Messenger 5.1 and hence why Windows Update doesn’t recommend that it’s a needed update fix? If not, how do I get that update installed so the system will be up to date? It also appears you can’t uninstall Messenger 5.1 once installed, is that because it becomes part of the XP Op Sys?
I had the same problem. Method 2 solved it for me.
John, My media center stopped having a TV picture, only had audio, around the time I started getting the Messenger error. I did a video driver upgrade as per Dell and the picture came back on my laptop (XPS M1210)but started having other issues, I went back to the old video driver and I still have a picture. Hope this helps you.
Hi Roger
Windows Messenger is part of Windows XP, so you can't (in a supported manner) remove it as there are other programs with dependencies on it (Remote Assistance, etc).
However, Windows only really care what version of Windows Messenger you have installed, so long as it is at least 4.7, this is why the 5.x version isn't mandatory update.
That said, if you do install 5.x, it becomes part of the dependency of other Windows applications, and as such can't be uninstalled.
KB946648 describes the security update for both Windows Messenger 4.7 and 5.1. Windows Update will offer the appropriate update for whichever version of Windows Messenger you have installed.
Hope that answers your question.
If you dont need Messenger funtionality in MCE I have managed to uncheck the 'allow instant messaging' box in messaging and caller ID menu despite getting the 'unable to load messenger' dialogue. This might only work on my PC but I noticed that there was a delay from the time of opening MCE and the error dialogue box coming up, if you open MCE and immediately start going down to 'settings' and then immediately going down to 'messenger and caller id' and immediately right and uncheck the box with OK and immediately left to save.
It took me a few attempts to get the button strokes just right to catch it before the error box pops up ad you have to save before the box appears or the save has no effect. It is possible that there is only a delay with not so fast pc's but good luck trying, I got a teeny 'screw you Bill Gates' buzz when I managed it.
Option 2 worked for me - thanks. Once I then disabled Messenger from within MCE I notice that it also starts up more quickly.
Thanks for taking the time to post the solution - it's really appreciated.
Chris
http://learn2develop.blogspot.com
Option 2 also worked for me. Thanks!
Toni
I followed step 2 and now i no longer have the messenger error message in media center...but I also don't have any options under messenger like i used to.
Since the update of sp3, i no longer can get a tv signal to watch live tv either..this all happened at the same time. I have since uninstalled sp3, back to sp2, but have not been able to get media center up and running at all. Anyone have any advice?
Andy's method worked for me. As he says, you probably have to do several attempts until you get the mouse co-ordination fast enough to uncheck "allow instant messaging" and save before the error message pops up and it is too late.
Thanks Andy.
To merge the unzipped fixwmerror-method2.zip registry file, do you just execute the .reg file? Does that add the required entry into my registry?
Sorry, I'm not that practiced at registry editing, but this simple change probably will fix my media center problem.
Thanks.
I would just like to thank you for your fix. I used the zipped file.
Your blog also directed me to Aaron Stebner's fix for Media Center registration failures...
so a double thanks;¬)
1st option reg edit worked for me. Awesome, thanks for the tip.
Jason - I'm having a problem copying my recorded tv shows onto dvd's. I did not have this problem before. Do you think it's related to the update. I am also getting the windows messenger error message.
Oh. My. God.
This worked perfectly!!!
Thanks Jason!
Thank you so much andy that worked out perfect all it is is being quick with it
Thank you, this was one of the most annoying things with MC
Thanks Andy -- your simple method worked for me (got it on 2nd try), and I didn't have to futz with the registry!
Thanks Jason you are worth your weight in adwords.
I used option 2. I have messenger 4.7. The UI option re-appeared. Error message is gone now. Thank you!
Maybe this is a dumb question, but why would a Microsoft security update break the functionality of a certain MS app (Messenger) within another MS app (Media Center). Don't they test for stuff like this? I could see if it was apps from another software company but it is Microsoft all around in this instance.
I just clean installed XP MCE 2005 after finally realising that it is way better than Vista MCE and found this weird Messenger error.
I quick google later and I found your blog.
Option 2 worked an absolute treat!
Thank you very much indeed!
Roost
what an annoyance! the fix from "Andy" did it for me. you just have to be quick (or have a slow computer maybe?) before that error screen comes up. if you can select the option to disable, it will go away! thanks.
I get the message also. Along with all kinds of others. My Media Center doesn't work right anymore, and HP hasn't been able to fix it. Even a complete restore doesn't work. I wish it was a way to delete the Media Center software from the XP system.
andy's method worked for me also had to try a few times before I was quick enough!
Jason,
Thanks for the excellent post. I made the reg change to each user and the message is gone. Question is how to remove from an extender. I run a Linksys extender and that still gets the message. I cannot seem to find that user in the reg edit. Any thoughts?
I would also like to know how to fix this messenger error in my Linksys extender. This seems to be the only place thats even starting to address it.
I've got Windows XP Media Center and although my Media Center tv shows up I did get that 'Cannot find Messenger' error. I tried method two offered on this site and the error message has gone away but I still can't get Media Center to initiate Live TV. This is a royal pain because we don't have time to play computer expert in our lives. We want software to work not go haywire. I don't know if Microsoft thinks before they act. Everything was working fine until today. I didn't get word of any updates so I guess I'll have to dig around.
Control panel, add/remove programs>left side, click on Add/remove windows components>scroll to bottom of list, uncheck messenger> hit apply. close all windows, and restart the media center. Works like a charm. And your messenger still works.too.
Control panel, add/remove programs>left side, click on Add/remove windows components>scroll to bottom of list, uncheck messenger> hit apply. close all windows, and restart the media center. Works like a charm. And your messenger still works.too.
this worked for me too!
Larry UK
The first registry fix sorted this annoying problem for me straight away.
Thank You I will bookmark your page.
07022009
Well Jason, after trying option 2 it fixed the problem! Thank you Obi-Wan. This has been a constant nag for awhile and now it's gone!
I have one small quirk left, every time I close out Media Center, it makes an error sound like "DONK". But if I wait a little while before I close MC it doesn't make that sound. It has done this since I bought the computer in Nov. 2006. It's an HPm7580n Media Center PC (if that helps).
Thanks again,
Dan
Yes! Simply removing the program from Add/Remove>Windows Components worked dandy, thanks Anonymous!
Control panel, add/remove programs>left side, click on Add/remove windows components>scroll to bottom of list, uncheck messenger> hit apply. close all windows, and restart the media center. Works like a charm. And your messenger still works.too.
Don: This worked great!! Thanks. have one small quirk left, every time I close out Media Center, it makes an error sound like "DONK".
Hey Don, I had this same DONK sound too. I just went into Settings, Visual and Sound Effects, and unchecked Play Sounds When Navigating Media Center. The DONK sound ended.
Thanks for the help Anonymous.
THANKS A BUNCH(oder so:)
Option 2 worked for me. Thanks!!!
Yep, removing the program from Add/Remove>Windows Components worked perfectly, thanks Anonymous! And thank you Jason for supplying the resource for me to find my answer!
Post a Comment