The ongoing Audio problem with MSN and XP

[tdelve]

OK all,

I'm looking for someone who is aware of this problem and has managed to figure it out.

I'm running XP Home and using MSN Messenger 6.2 using a Comcast cable modem with a direct connection to the PC (i.e., no router). The IM and video are fine, however, the audio is a problem.

What is the problem? Well, it seems that when you try to start a voice session, MSN tries to connect but never succeeds. I have tried this with and without the firewall (Zone Labs). It has been tried with a number of people how are able to use their Messenger (running both XP and other Windows platforms) to successfully set up audio sessions with other people.

All of the really obvious things have been done - audio setup wizard, switching off firewall (Zone Labs and built in Microsoft firewall). As far as I can tell from internet searches, a problem exists with MSN Messenger and XP. If you look at:

http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Issues.aspx

You can see some of the known issues. Of particular note are the sections starting with:

"Webcam and Video Conferencing"

and

"If you are using Windows XP and you have an Intel network card"

(If you search the page using the above, you'll find the sections). The suggestions/instructions from this Microsoft web page have been made, but no difference. Incidentally, I don't have an Intel card.

Has anyone been through this problem before? If so, is there a cure? The only thing that is yet to verify completely (and difficult to verify - I think) is whether Comcast use a router with NAT (network address translation). I've asked them and apparently they don't.

(See the following link for more info on the NAT problem:
http://ask-leo.com/why_cant_i_have_a... ssenger.html )

Yahoo messenger is fine both with the audio and video. Which is a good fallback, but a number of friends use MSN, so it would be much more convenient to use MSN.

So, I'm all ears. Anyone have any ideas?

Cheers,

Trefor

[Deadeye]

All those audio/video problems with MSN might be due to a different problem, therefore a different error message comes up.
What's yours?

[tdelve]

It's possible as the links don't say what error messages to expect.

I just get an error indicating that MSN is unable to establish a connection. But don't forget, this is an audio connection that's problematic. The webcam connection is up and running with no problem at the same time.

Other people must be using MSN with XP and audio+video. There must be something here.

Trefor

[Deadeye]

Yes, sounds familiar. Audio doesnt work but video does.
If its not too much trouble (and only if you wish to be helped ) can you copy and paste the error message and describe the process?

For instance, when I had my audio problem, after my contact accepted the invitation the message ''connecting'' would show up on the bottom of the MSN chat window. This connecting process would last for about 10 or 15 seconds and then would be terminated, probably timed out and an error message like this would come up: The computer or network you're trying to connect with is unavailable (unavailable or busy, cant recall), please try again later.

From what you've said so far it sounds like an RTCDLL.dll file problem.
Did you use to have MSN 5 that worked?
Did audio NEVER used to work?
Give us some feedback

[tdelve]

That's actually what the error is. (I am at work now so the exact phrase escapes me). I will paste the error as soon as I get a chance to do it again.

After either initiating the audio connection, or accepting an audio connection, MSN would show connecting on the bottom left of the window. This waits for a while and then in the main text window it indicates that it was unable to connect to the other computer or network. The video link still stays up and you are still able to IM each other.

This system has never had MSN Messenger 5 installed (it's a new machine), so I don't know whether the audio works for that. Certainly, so far, the audio hasn't worked for MSN 6.2 attempting to connect to different people - always with the same error.

Yahoo Messenger audio works, but from what I understand, Yahoo use a different protocol.

What did you do to fix the problem when you had it?

Thanks,

Trefor

[Deadeye]

I had Win98, I formatted and switched to WinXP and it worked just fine.
But I suppose you're not so willing to format huh?

[bob_a_builder]

I had the same problem unable to get sound AND video working together with MSN 6.x and XP - tried a lot of the fixes on here ( swapping DLL's etc) but nothing did it for me

So I swap to another client when I want a voice/cam meeting , http://www.eyeballchat.com/ this has worked for all of our family members who where having similar issues to me (you) with XP & msn.
Its also supposed to be able to integrate with MSN so you can pick up whos on that network, but I could never make that bit work, but certainly voice and web cam is no problem

If eyeball can make it work how come MS with all the resources they have let this issue drag on for so long

What hope is there that this issue will be resolved with ver 7 I wonder

[tdelve]

Well, I've tried the MS suggested fixes (QoS and color) and traced back through the fixes suggested on this forum (dll etc) but no luck.

I think I'll stick with Yahoo or even try eyeballchat.

Thanks for your help guys - it was worth a shot!

[phmurphy]

I have been having the same problems with MSN 6.2. I get video but no audio. The weird thing is that it works fine with one of my contacts but not two others. I have Norton Internet security and the other persons have the Windows firewall. We tried turning them all off but still no audio. I have tried opening specific ports 1900, 6901, 6891 and still no success. the person I successfully connect with also has NOrton Internet Security and they are both turned on. In all cases the program MSN Messenger 6.2 is "allowed" in the firewalls.

Any new ideas?

Thanks,
pat

[oha]

when you try to start audio chat with your friend it says "connecting with contact" and after a while it says the audio chat ended because connection could not be established or something like that..

first of all, this is not a xp system error !

i use windows millenium.. and i receive this pain in the ass problem..

secondly, this error started after i was forced by microsoft to update my msn messenger version from 6.2.0137 to 6.2.0208 !! i was using my audio chat without any problem.. dammit Microsoft !! again a problem awaits for you to resolve.. take it easy..

thirdly maybe this is not because of the update.. but another software installation which might have replaced my system files such as rtcdll.dll..
i tried every rtcdll.dll file i could find.. and nothing changed.. this is a connection problem.. so i guess the key file must not be an audio file.. it might be a connection file..

fourthly, i tried to monitor the audio chat start process.. i found that it is trying to find a file called "vnbt.vxd" but i couldnt find a file like that.. i can say i never used such a file on my system.. so the key file shouldnt be that one..

fifthly, i re-installed my direct X 8.1 and Sound card (realtek) driver files.. and nothing changed.. do not forget i was using my audio chat with msn messenger 6.2 and directX 8.1 before.. so please dont tell me to update to newer versions.. i dont want to !! hehh.

good luck all who are suffering from this problem like me..
anyone please help me if you are able to resolve this issue !!
kandjinn@hotmail.com


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I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE STEALING SOME OF OUR KEY ABILITIES, OLD KEY FEATURES FROM US IN YOUR NEWER PRODUCTS.. DO NOT DO THAT !!

I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SILENTLY PUSHING US TO GET RID OF OUR WINDOWS MILLENIUM AND OTHER PRODUCTS !! BUT WE DONT WANT TO DO THAT !!

WE WANT YOU TO RE-ENABLE SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS MILLENIUM ON YOUR SITE !!! AND A NEWER VERSION OF WINDOWS MILLENIUM !!

i know thats too much.. but who knows.. you might not try without asking.. eh ?