How To Troubleshoot Windows Live Messenger

The Windows Live Messenger application allows you to chat with those friends who are online. It is an instant messaging application that comes as part of the Live Essentials package. Often an error code 80072EFD is present that can be associated with some network error. Here are some guidelines to troubleshoot these issues.

• First check with your internet connection. Open any web browser applications like Firefox or IE and inspect whether you are able to access the internet or not. If the software still is unable to provide service then either the modem or Internet Service Provider is at fault. See if resetting the modem is helpful, or call at the support line for your Internet Service provider.
• Access Windows Update and verify that your version of Internet Explorer is having all the latest updates lined up at Windows Update. Any recommended updates should be installed followed by restarting the system. Once the system restarts, attempt to login to Windows Live Messenger once again.
• It could be that your Firewall software is hindering Windows Live Messenger. Access the Windows Live Messenger firewall page for info on how to get Windows Live Messenger through the simple and common types of firewalls.
• Select the DNS cache and click Start, then Run; then type cmd into the box. Type in ipconfig/flushdns in the command box. Now click Ok. Press Enter again in the command menu.
• You could also try to remove any proxy setting on your browser that is stopping Windows Live Messenger. Select Tools and then Options while Windows Live Messenger is still open. Click on the Connection option in the left menu and select Advanced Settings. Now proceed to delete any information that is present in the SOCKS field. Click on OK twice to ensure these settings are saved.
• You might have to re-register any security files that were preventing Windows Live Messenger. Click on Start followed by Run then type in REGSVR32 softpub.dll initpki.dll wintrust.dll. Click on the Enter option and wait for three pop-ups to appear. These are important to confirm that the files have been registered successfully.

If you have any issues with your Windows Live Messenger it is wise to get help from the Windows Live technical support team. The Windows Live technical support team is dedicated to solving customer queries regarding all applications of Windows Live. If the problem seems simple enough you could check up for help topics on the internet and on forums.

Use Mail App For Your Outlook Webmail Account

If you were using the Hotmail mail service, then your email account would already be transferred to the new Outlook webmail service. Microsoft’s decision to cash in on the popularity of their Outlook mail client, by launching the Outlook mail service and merging their Hotmail webmail with it, has been a moderate success so far.

If you have one such webmail account, then you could access your account using a mail client app. You need to make sure to use the correct Outlook setting so that the app can successfully access the Outlook mail server online.

Using the Mail app to access the Outlook account

Mail client apps are very convenient to use, as it would keep all your email folders updated in your device. This would mean that you would be able to access your email messages without using the internet connection. This is very similar to the Outlook mail client that you might already be familiar with.

Make sure that you save the Outlook setting for the incoming and outgoing server and other settings correctly. The Outlook Incoming Mail Server (POP3) should be pop3.live.com; the Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) should be smtp.live.com, and the IMAP server, imap.live.com.

Whether you are using the Microsoft Mail App in Windows 8.1 or the Mail App for the Mac OS X, these settings are the same for setting up the Outlook.com webmail service. In your mail app, you need to click on the option to add a new mail account. This would launch the mail setup wizard.

You will be asked to select the type of the email account, which needs to be POP for setting up the Outlook webmail account. Use the settings mentioned above for the incoming and the outgoing mail server addresses. You need to set the port numbers right, if they are not set up by default.

Once you have saved all these settings, try sending a test message to see if it works. If not, then you need to visit the Outlook website and check if the settings you saved are correctly configured. Correct them otherwise.

Similarly, you would be able to set the email accounts for other webmail services like Yahoo, Gmail, etc using such mail apps. Though almost all of these webmail services are free, some of the mail apps are not. For a quality email app with good security settings, you may have to pay a small fee.

Xbox One To Get Technical Support For More Than 10 Years

Those who have planning to get the latest Xbox One gaming consoles have an important announcement from Microsoft. They will be providing technical support for the gaming console for a duration of 10 years. This is great news for gamers who have bought the new Xbox One, as it will not become obsolete for the next 10 years. The device will also not become defunct due to lack of spares or services.

In his keynote address at Xbox one Eurogamer Expo 2013, Phil Harrison from Microsoft said the company intends to provide technical support for their latest gaming console for more than 10 years. The latest generation of gaming consoles from Microsoft also has a 32GB of top level bandwidth embedded ESRAM, and is supported by 8GB of RAM, which is a powerful combination. It also offers fuss support to HD Video in 1080p as well as the latest Ultra HD 4k Video standard. The Xbox One gaming console is scheduled to hit the shelves before the holiday season, but needs some basic requisites without which users will not be able to use the enhanced features of Xbox One. Xbox One must have a 720p or higher HDMI compatible TV to run smoothly.

The Xbox Live gaming consoles online portal will also need a good broadband internet connection. Moreover, users are also required to possess a Microsoft account, as well as an account on Xbox Live in an Xbox Live country or region. Those willing to shell out a whopping $500 for the Xbox One gaming consoles come November can expect the console to work smoothly without glitches for its entire duration.

The new Xbox One will have Skype taking over the chat interface in Xbox Live, which will also be applicable to Xbox 360 gaming consoles. However Xbox 360 users need not worry about this transition. Regular software updates will become mandatory for continuing the use of Xbox One. The Kinect sensor will also need updates and an ISP fees to apply. Original Kinect sensors, part of Xbox 360, will not function on Xbox One. Obo One system software will also require a lot of storage space, while users will get only limited space. Any issues can be taken up with Microsoft tech support. The Microsoft tech support team is well equipped to handle problems on Xbox One. In any case, gamers are sure to enjoy the holiday season, with Xbox One and Sony’s PS4 all coming out.

How To Manually Configure Outlook To Connect With Office 365?

Although Microsoft Outlook is an email application that comes as a part of the Microsoft Office suite of programs, it can also be downloaded as a standalone application. This amazing email program enables users to store their personal as well as contact information, making it an essential tool for users.

It is easier to configure the Outlook setting to connect it to Office 365. You can try the following steps to achieve this task.

Mailbox server name and proxy server URL

• First, you need to sign in to the Office 365 portal, click on Outlook, and launch the web spp.
• Now, go to the upper-right corner of the page, and click the Help icon, followed by the About option.
• On this page, you need to locate and note the host address.

Creating Mailbox profile

• For creating your Mailbox profile, you need to click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Mail.
• Now, click on Show Profiles and click on Add.
• Now, name the profile and click OK.

Changing the Microsoft Exchange proxy settings

• You need to click on the Connection tab and ensure that the Connect to Microsoft Exchange option using HTTP check box is selected. Now, click on Exchange Proxy Settings.
• Now, in the Use this URL to connect to my proxy server for Exchange box, enter the host address. If you face any issues with the Outlook setting, you can contact Outlook tech support for assistance.
• Now, after selecting the specific check box, you need to enter msstd:outlook.com. Now, click and select On fast networks and connect using HTTP first. Now, you can connect using TCP/IP check box, and then click on the Select the On slow networks option by first using HTTP and then using TCP/IP check box.
• In the next step, you need to click on the Proxy authentication settings, and select the Basic Authentication option. Now, click OK two times.
• You need to now click on Check Names. Now, click on the Next option once you see the server and the user name displayed.
• Once the procedure is over, click on Finish.

By following these steps you would be able to manually configure Microsoft Outlook to connect with Office 365. However, if you have more queries regarding the features of Outlook, you can contact our technical support. Our expert technicians would help you out.

Windows 8 Spared The Fate Of Vista

When the initial euphoria surrounding the release of the Windows 8 died down, many tech experts started comparing the Windows 8 to Vista. You might remember the older OS, which was released with much fanfare, with its new radical graphical user interface and functions. It did not do well in the market; actually it did worse than Windows 8 is doing now.

Why Windows 8 probably won’t share this fate

It seems Microsoft had learned a lesson at the time or two from their Vista debacle. What supports this is that they quickly launched an update for Windows 8. Windows 8.1 came out almost at its heels, bringing along many changes in design and functionality.

After the release of Windows 8, the Windows 8 help and support website had received many complaints about the absence of a Start Menu and the hard-to-discern features in the new OS. Microsoft, therefore, added the Start button – though not the Start menu – to the Windows 8.1 update.

With the Metro UI, Microsoft was attempting to create a uniform OS interface for all its operating systems, for tablets, smart phones, laptops, etc. Their hesitation at re-introducing the Start Menu in full indicates they still do not want to deviate from this strategy.

They are hoping that with the popularity of the touch screen operating systems on the rise, Windows 8 users would eventually get used to the tile-based UI and might not even use the markedly less touch-friendly, menu-based UI. Of course, Microsoft has also provided the Desktop UI mode in Windows 8, for those who prefer to use the old fashioned menu-style UI.

Did all these changes result in any improvement in Windows 8 sales?

Microsoft’s strategy of tweaking the new OS based on customer feedback, seems to be working. After the release of the Windows 8.1 update, sales have marginally improved. There is a possibility this is due to the fact that Microsoft has stopped the Windows 7 sales. So, if you want to buy a new Windows OS PC, you have no choice but to buy one that comes with Windows 8 pre-installed.

On the other hand, this might be because Windows users now approve of the changes Microsoft made to the new OS. Whatever the reasons, Windows 8 has now officially crossed the Windows Vista market share. I guess Windows 8 would not be joining the Windows Vista club as a failed product. For more information about the Windows 8.1 update, visit the Windows 8 help website online.

Enable Flexible Working Using Microsoft Cloud Technology

Shulmans, the award winning commercial law firm is engaged in offering a broad array of services to people and businesses in the UK and in the other parts of the globe. To provide remarkable customer service is among the most essential elements of what they offer; they are a class apart from other firms and as such, a significant business is promoted by means of ‘word of mouth’ recommendations.

Armed with around 1120 staff personnel, the IT infrastructure is the staple of the service delivery and is essential for making sure that people have the capacity to work flexibly from any given location. Over the past few years, there has been a rising proportion of the growth pouring in from international business, bringing in its wake, the added complication of having to work in varying time zones yet having to access information and data at any given point of time.

Base 13, Microsoft’s partner has been enlisted for carrying out an entire technology refresh. To be equipped with cutting edge, cloud based technology environment is making use of the newest versions of Microsoft products, which includes Office 365. Office 365 promises innumerable benefits for their business - more advanced tools for users, which support mobile, not to mention, flexible working, reduced management requirement, guaranteed availability, and immense security of the Microsoft help line service. The licensing that is offered is also straightforward.

The experience and knowledge, which Base 13 is equipped with, will also prove invaluable in helping a person to migrate quickly to Office 365. The breadth of advanced functionality in Office together with the extra applications like Lync, which is included in the suite of applications are overwhelming. Ever since it was installed, it has been able to fit into the day-to-day operations and allows Office 365 to be used on smart phones as well as in tablets.

Many options are offered in order to quicken and sufficiently simplify the daily tasks. Lync is likely to be launched which shall get automatically integrated with the dictation software. This is just one of the ways in which it proves helpful to the people to do their jobs efficiently.

Not much time is needed for the system to manage and the IT team no longer need to spoon- feed the servers. This allows you to save around 20% of management time on a weekly basis. Being user-friendly, the staff could easily help the clients as required.

You may contact the Microsoft help line for more information about how the Microsoft Cloud services would help your business.

How To Troubleshoot The ‘Unable To Access Outlook Inbox’ Error

Outlook users often come across some problems in their email application. Often, the causes of these problems are simple and can be fixed by anyone with some minimum knowledge of the application. An Outlook issue that I came across recently is the error while trying to access the inbox.

Upon my research about this particular problem, I came to know that the application requires all the files in it to be in a standard format, which is the PST format. I learnt that converting the OST files in the application to PST format is a simple but quite useful way to deal with some of the Outlook problems. Well, one thing to keep in mind at this point is to locate the exchange files that have OST extension and convert them to PST extension. Here are the instructions.

Instructions

• To convert Outlook files with OST extension to PST extension, you need to have the utility software called Recovery Toolbox. If you do not have the software in your computer, download it from a software download centre online.
• Once the software is downloaded, install it by double-clicking on the setup file. Follow the on-screen installation prompts to complete the installation.
• After the installation of the software, open it and locate the button titled Search for .pst& .ost files. Now the tool will display the folder or drive where the OST files that you want to convert are stored. If you wish to specify your search, press the button labelled Search Now. Select all OST files so that you can convert them together.
• Once the conversion of the files is completed, locate the folder where the converted files are stored and select it.
• Select the Microsoft Outlook storage folder as the location to save the files in the disk drive. Press the Save button. The utility software will now save the converted files in the specified location. 
• After that, restart your Microsoft Outlook 2007 application. Go to the Inbox and try to open the emails. The email messages should open now without any glitches.

If you notice that the problem with your Outlook application persists, it is recommended that you contact the Outlook support personnel for detailed examination of the issue and troubleshooting it. Meanwhile, visit the Outlook help forums that deal with such common Outlook problems and fixes.