I can hear but can't talk with MSN Messenger

robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

I am new here to forums, but I have been a TweakNews reader for a while now. After chatting with [TN] Nathan for a while via msn messenger, he recommended checking out the forums for help.

I use MSN Messenger 4.7. Whether I start a voice conversation or someone else initializes it, I can hear the other person, but I can't talk. My mic is working and so are my headphones. I use the audio tuning wizard and everything seems to work fine, except that I can't talk. There is no difference whether I turn the firewall on or off in the Control Panel.

I have searched the web, including msdn, for answers but no luck so far. One thing is for sure: I cannot adjust the port settings.

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icyrus76 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2003 11:40 pm Post subject:

Hey tere,

you can try to go to ur sound settings, then click on file>Properties> then go to advanced, and select recording, then press okay. After that, put a make sure there is a check mark under microphone so "Select [/]", something like that..see if ti works.
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robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

Thanks for the tip, but I won't know if it will work until I try a voice conversation again.

DMW · SirTweaksabit Joined: 16 May 2002 Posts: 457

also, there is a newer version of this application available....possibly an update might be in order?

icyrus76 · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2003 1:27 pm Post subject:

yeh, thing is 4.7 comes with xp, and msn5 is made for windows2k, i think there's version 5 for xp at Cnet, you mgiht wanna check that out. MSN6 was casuing problems for xp and it has problems shutting down windows while msn6 is on and connected. I'd wat for the more stable version before i go for six, but msn5 is worht trying..

Cyrus
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still the same old computer tweaker..

just with a tad bit of car knowledge as well..

robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

I installed 5.0 this morning. Have not tried to "Start Talking" yet. Looks like 4.7 with all of the trimmings, except for that rediculous msn pop-up (how annoying).

icyrus76 · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2003 3:10 pm Post subject:

you can get rid of those through msgconfig. I vaguely remember..but i'll loko it up for u.
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still the same old computer tweaker..

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icyrus76 · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2003 6:35 pm Post subject:

Hey Robin, i got it..follow EVERYTHING..for it to work properly.

You said you are using windows XP, so here goes:

Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services..

scroll down till you find Messenger, double click on it and a new window will appear.

DISABLE the startup type

Service Status should be stopped

press okay to return to desktop, then close everything..

This shoudl work wiht no problems, might be wise to restart, then you will never see those pop ups again.

Rejoice;
Cyrus <><
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still the same old computer tweaker..

just with a tad bit of car knowledge as well..

robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

Thanks, ic. I did that. Being at a home, it really doesn't make sense to have the Messenger service on (not to be confused with msn messenger).

On the main issue I tried "Start Talking" and still got the same result. I am convinced this either a modem issue (since I have a brigde modem, I can do nothing to resolve the port settings) or an issue with my ISP. I contacted them this morning. Hopefully, something will fix this.

robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

I am updating myself . No change. Did I say that I have tried this with 3 different computers and 2 different OSes? I tried resetting the adsl modem, but that did not work. I am quite convinced this is an issue with either my service provider or the service providers to the people I am trying to contact. Chalk this up to NAT and UPnP somewhere.

I can tell you that it is frustrating when you are triying to connect to someone on the otherside of world and unable to do so. Everyone in my family lives, on average, about 4000 miles from me, maybe more. I have not tried everything, but dang near to resolve the issue myself. If any of you are sysadmins and know something about this, please let me know.

icyrus76 · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2003 10:50 am Post subject:

one question, didn't see it before..hm..do you have a firewall or a hub/router?

and did you disable the windows XP firewall if you are using XP?
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still the same old computer tweaker..

just with a tad bit of car knowledge as well..

robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

You bring up a good point. I made a clean install with XP Pro (twice, I was bored). I tried with the Internet Connection Firewall turned on and off (in Network Connections of the control panel for the ethernet). It made no difference. I hear but no way to send voice. I even installed Norton Internet Security due to a browser hijacking (clean install left kind me of unprotected). Anyway, Norton's firewall makes no difference either. With or without firewall protection, it is the same. On the Windows 98 machine, I got the same results too, and I had no firewall for that one. I have not tried it on Win2k, but why bother. I thought about using Windows 2003, but that would be too much. The ones I have tried have no ties to my server. They were standalone desktop configs cinnected directly to the ADSL modem.

So, Icyrus, I don't know what I can do, except complain to my isp, but I have a hard time doing that. I work I did get a ticket on Friday, though, due to some good people I know there. Hopefully, something will be done.

icyrus76 · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2003 8:57 pm Post subject:

hm..that's odd..cuz i can understand why one OS on ONE computer won't work..but for all the computers you've tried..have you tried the audio tuning wizard for MSNm, found under Tools, and have you selected Microphone under recording devices?
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still the same old computer tweaker..

just with a tad bit of car knowledge as well..

DMW · SirTweaksabit Joined: 16 May 2002 Posts: 457

you have not mentioned the type of "bridge" or router you might be using....
if by chance it is a linksys router....

setting the PC you are trying to talk on to the DMZ may work for you...I sometimes use voice chat apps in online games, and a few only work with this setting.

Other manufacturers may have a similar setting that places the OUTSIDE of the firewall.

as for hacks....just do the security updates for XP and disable the file sharing....you would first need to have something that a person WANTS to hack you for.

ditch the Norton and try zone alarm....it's a little tedious, but once you have "trained" it....all is well. Plus, if your other PCs are behind the firewall....then you have little use for any software based protection....it's more like wearing a second jimmy.

robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

I have a Speedstream 5667 bridge modem. I have looked into this, but it seems to work fine. I had no problems with voice conversation about 3 weeks ago. It seems unlikely that this is the problem.

What is DMZ?

As far as the Audio Tuning Wizard, been there done that more than a few times. I am thinking that a USB microphone might be in order, but right now I would rather not.

I plan on ditching Norton when my free service is just about up. It doesn't have any effect on my main workstation/desktop, so I may as well keep it. I might switch to Zone Alarm then.

krucibus · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2003 12:15 pm Post subject:

Here's something I found out about on my rig:

I also have WinXP and all that, and my mic wasn't working either (I'm talking about having headphones plugged in to the speakers, 1 plug for stereo sound and one for microphone). Voice wasn't working, so looking at the set-up, there's some sort of mic plug behind the monitor but no corresponding cable (The monitor has a built-in mic). You think maybe you should get a cord to bridge between your headphones' mic plug and something similar? That was my problem, I don't know if you have a similar set-up.

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robin338 · TweakNOOB Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 34

Thanks for the tip, but my monitor has no mic connection.