Troubleshooting Error 8004888D - MSN Service is temporarily unavailable
Error 8004888D may not be your fault. First check the MSN Service Status, if that is working then I have other ideas of how to fix the problem.
Introduction to Error Code 8004888D
This error code, 8004888D occurs you are trying to logon to the MSN messenger service. It occurs with version 8.x also with version 7.x.
The Symptoms You Get with Error Code 8004888D
When you type your email address in the MSN Messenger logon box it takes a long time to display on screen. Your password, in contrast, displays instantly. When you press enter, you get
error code 8004888D
The Cause of Code Error 8004888D
One possibility is that error message tells the truth - the MSN Messenger server really is down.
You could try
phoning your local Microsoft Support office. Local area numbers
available from http://support.microsoft.com.
Another cause is corruption with the encryption files that
MSN Messenger needs. For example, you could have been infected with a virus, or you may have a hyperactive anti-virus or Spyware package.
Look in your application data, specifically for files in the identitycrl\ folder. What I would do is copy any files
in these locations to a safe place. Then delete the original files in their original location.
Instructions: Click on Start, Run Type '%appdata% in the Run dialog box (Start Search in Vista).
Seek out the Microsoft sub-folder, then identitycrl
You could try re-registering the dlls below. My point is that Spyware or even a virus could have interfered with the cryptographic files need by MSN
Messenger.
Instructions: Click on Start, Run Type the following commands in the Run dialog box (Start Search in Vista).
Another symptom of the dll problem is the error 80092026 in the logs, along with a message
such as: The cryptographic operation failed due to a local security option setting.
Click on Start, Run Type 'regedit' in the Run dialog box
(Start Search in Vista). Navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\ SystemCertificates\TrustedPublisher Under 'TrustedPublisher' look for 'Safer' key. Rename the
'Safer' key (if it exists).
Click on Start, Run Type 'gpedit.msc' in the Run dialog box (Start Search in Vista). N.B. Remember the .msc Press enter to launch the Group Policy Editor Click on the + next to Computer
Configuration Click on the + next to Windows Settings Click on the + next to Security Settings Click on the + next to Software Restriction Policies Click on the + next to
Trusted Publishers For 'Allow the following users to select trusted publishers' the default should be 'End users.'
Guy
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Collect information: Write down exactly what is the problem.
Something magical happens just by the act of writing down the symptoms.
Ask: What was the last thing that altered on your computer. Especially with
changes to anti-virus
software. Reverse it!
Can you reproduce your problem: Occasionally trying again seems to
make it work. Else you may get a different error from 8004888D.
Locate the ultimate source: Hardware (modem) Software, your end or MSN site.
Phone a friend! Seriously do your MSN mates have the same
problem, if so it's the site, if not - back to the drawing board.
Summary of Error Code 8004888D
Try phoning your local Microsoft Support office. Local area numbers
available from http://support.microsoft.com.
If the MSN site is OK, you could have been infected with a virus, else you
have a hyperactive Spyware program.
Guy
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