I have the same problem but even after I download the patch, I cant log into hotmail.

Im working on Win Xp, I tried a lot of things but nothing seems to work.

I have talked to my provider' tech support. They have adviced me to reduce MTU from 1500 (default in my preferences) to 1200. Afterthen, I AM able to log in into Hotmail!!!! Don't ask me how change MTU , cause it is very different in every provider system, but there is a program Easy MTU, it could be helpful, but better ask your provider how and where it is in your pref.

Good luck.

P.S. But I am doubted that the problem IS solved, cause the internet is full of articles about "Microsoft can't fix Hotmail bug". Or my Israeli tech support is much smarter then MS guys, or it will turn back to the same problem afterwhile

[AMJones]

That makes no sense (the MTU adjustment). Essentially, they just slowed your internet connection down. I'd tend to believe that the fact you could connect to Hotmail afterwards is at least partially coincedence. I suppose I can see situations in which slowing the transmission of data would lead to a more reliable connection, but it still just doesn't sound right. In addition, it's like treating a termite problem with a tank. Why slow your internet connection for just one site?

Roost, are you able to get to the login page? And if it allows you to enter your login info, what happens if you hit F5 after you login in?

They said, that if you are sending a large packet of data as 1500 MTU, then Hotmail thinks that is a virus or hacker-attack and then do not allow you to loh in. It works for me. Actually, I am agrre that is very unneccessary to low your speed for just one site But it works. I cannot call it a miracle, cause I've tried each and every one sollution I've found on web

[dreamtime]

Hi. In case this is of any help, I can get over the problem temporarily by :-
1) Tools/Internet options/Delete Cookies - this allows you to bring up Hotmail.
2) Log in as usual. When blank page with 'done' on it comes up try hitting the back button a couple of times, if necessary go forward as well. On my computer after a couple of tries I'm into my Hotmail account without re-entering my password.
Hope this is of some help to someone - I got fed up trying to sort the problem out through the Microsoft security update routes.

[acoustic_andy]

I have also had this problem - running Xp Pro and Internet Explorer 6 with sp1 installed. I cannot access hotmail, or the non critical and driver updates part of the windows update webpage. I can log into my yahoo mail service, but cannot proceed to the inbox. This problem started about midway through February. Previously all was fine. Xp also refuses to system restore.

I have tried the various solutions listed in the forum - the script 5.6 download, the 814078 java fix for 2000/xp and also the following internet explorer fixes - q831167, q813489, q810847 and q813951. 8311367 seems to only partly install, judging by the progress bar, while the others ask for sp1 to be present, which it is, but do not install. Also none of the aforementioned updates including sp1 appear in the add/remove programs list.

Windows update also continually downloads the same update for media player - KB828026

In fact I've to reboot to 98 in order to post to this site!

if anyone has any information about this problem, it would be greatly appreciated.

Any news on the hotmail problem with XPpro? I have read through the entire thread and keep getting excited by the solutions posted. Only to find that they do not apply to XP. Has anyone aside from the MTU reduction process, found an actual fix to this issue???

Quick fix for those of you who need to read your e-mail!!!
Download Netscape 7.1 for free. Problem does not transfer to this obviously. I now use netscape just to check my e-mails! Probably will grow to like it more, exporer works for everything else though. Cheers!

AM Jones...I love you!!!
THANKS IT WORKED FOR ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!

Go to Tools >>Internet options >> security and klick custom level and click at "Allow meta refresh" enable.
I'm sure this will solve the problem
Regards
Mubashar

i read all that stuff but im only 13 i dont get it???????

i have windows xp

"If you have a cable dial-in or broadband connection e.g. NTL, you are now best to call their technical services to get the appropriate proxy server settings - they will talk you through this. I had the same mail problems with hotmail and yahoo and some difficulties with WindowsUpdate (XP pro) for 2 weeks and had tried every knowledge base article/help forum suggestion available to no avail. This work-round was 100% effective - they assured me that the problem was with MIcrosoft and not NTL . However, many thanks for the information flow - it was a seriously steep learning experience!

i am having the same problem with search companion, hotmail etc but wen i trid to dwl the link colin gave it said i needed to dwl two other things i dwl and unzipped one successfully however when dwl the other 1 it said i needed 6.0 installed which i have! anyone have a clue?

Thanks AM Jones the script worked for me

I have WINXP pro and have had these problems for over a month
- blank search bar in winxp
- couldnt access user accounts in ctr panel
- couldnt access hotmail login page
- certain search buttons/scripts embedded in html pages would do nothing when clicked.

I had made a few changes to my system around the same time as the problem occurred, so am not sure which was the cause.
- removed Norton internet security and AV as it slowed my system to a crawl.
- removed gator, gmt and adware that got on my PC
- installed Windows XP Java Virtual Machine - IE6 update.

hope this helps in identifying the cause.