Hello! I just installed "Verizon Online DSL with MSN 8" on Friday evening. It isconnected. However, I have to use Internet Explorer to get to the internet, because the MSN half of the ISP is not working. I talked with Verizon and have done all kinds of things. I am pretty sure the problem is MSN, and not my computer. When I click on the icon to get online, it says an error message: "We're sorry, due to network issues, we are unable to download your parental controls settings at this time. Please try again later." It has said that since I installed it. I e-mailed MSN about it, and we'll see what they say. In the mean time, what do you say? Do you say it is MSN's problem, and wait for them to fix it? (or) Do you say it is a problem on my computer somewhere? I don't think it could be a problem with my computer. I've checked everything, and everything is right...
Thank you!

*Felicity2

I would guess the problem is on the MSN side. "We're sorry, due to network issues, we are unable to download your parental controls settings at this time. Please try again later." This message would indicate that you're connecting with the MSN server, but for some reason the server is unable to send you the "parental controls settings" needed to configure your MSN browser.

You can keep trying to open the MSN Explorer browser. If it doesn't work correctly today, try calling MSN on the telephone.

MSN Telephone Support

For questions concerning your MSN Broadband Order, please contact customer service at 1-800-826-3110

Note: you will need to sign in to see the telephone number.

Dwight

Thank you, Dwight. Your reply was helpful, because I was finally able to get in contact with MSN about this problem. However, the problem has not been resolved. I am still working on it with them, though.
Thank you, again!

*Felicity2

I signed up for verizon DSL with msn8 in June and have had problems ever since. I ended up re formating the computer, re installing the DSL software three times, and as oflast night had a tech with screen sharing spend two hours trying to fix the connectivity issues. still can't use msn. I have to check all e-mail through IE^ & hotmail.

Got so frustrated switched back to AOL. Had a lot of spam but never had a connection problem.

While not a computer expert, I may be able to help with this issue.

AOL has come out with a 9.0 broadband version. While I had no problems with AOL 8.0, when I downloaded 9.0 I started having all kinds of problems. The problem was memory.

I've upgraded my RAM to 256 and this solved the problem. Check the memory. It could be as simple as the computer is maxed out and an upgrade is needed.

I cannot understand why anyone would want to duplicate their Internet Service Provider service. When you have any Internet connection (Verizon DSL in this case), you have a multitude of Email options to choose from and your access to the Internet is provided through the built in Internet Explorer Web browser program. In addition, there are many other Web browser programs available for free download or for a small purchase price. (Netscape and Opera are two popular alternative Web browser programs).

I simply fail to see any advantage at all to adding MSN 8 or AOL to this. If the MSN 8 or the AOL is your preferred ISP, why not just sign up for that Internet Service Provider directly?

Dwight

Steve m, I understand completely. I have done all kinds of things. I don't know how many times I have uninstalled and reinstalled MSN. Something usually changes when I do that, but, nothing that makes it work right. I have talked with the Verizon Online Support Center, and we tried different things. They said that there are a lot of people having problems with MSN. One representative looked to see if the problem was being worked on, and it said that it was, but, didn't give a date as to when the problem would be fixed. This is unbelieveable. Next Monday, I will have had this service for a month. MSN has never worked. I can now sign-in to the primary MSN account, but, can't do e-mail. Actually, I think most of the features don't work right. The sub-accounts still get the error message, and can't even sign-in. MSN takes their time to respond sometimes, and when they do, they're no help. I use Internet Explorer for everything. I can go to www.hotmail.com and use the accounts just fine for e-mail, but, I don't. I use a previous e-mail account I had. It's not very reliable to use the MSN one in any way. So, I understand completely, Steve m.
It's true what you say about AOL, too. I had AOL before, and it had it's problems...but, it worked most of the time. I never knew MSN was so dumb. You know that quote they have: "It's better with the butterfly."? Yeah, right.
I think I needed to vent there. I'm sorry. It doesn't help anything, but, it's good to know I'm not the only one with these problems.
NC, I have the RAM needed. Thank you for the suggestions, though.
Dwight, MSN and Verizon are a team (supposed to be), and if MSN would work right, we could use MSN to go to websites. Actually, I can in the primary account, but, I don't. Verizon with MSN is supposed to be good... Actually, Verizon isn't perfect, but, what isn't right with it I can live without. MSN isn't my preferred ISP...especially now that I know what it's like. In my case, it wasn't my choice to change the ISP.
Sorry this is so long. Thank you to everyone that replied!

*Felicity2

Well...I talked with MSN, again, and someone told me how to repair errors on Internet Explorer, which is probably causing the problems with MSN. Well, I went to do that and it says it can't repair the errors. So, I told MSN that, and they said Internet Explorer will have to fixed by the people I got my computer from, since Internet Explorer comes automatically installed. Is this true? Do I really have to do that?
Thank you!

*Felicity2

Actually, there are several options ranging from downloading a newer version of Internet Explorer (depending on your current version) to reverting to a previous version (again, depending on your system details).

You can reinstall Windows which will reinstall the Internet Explorer program files in the same state as when the Windows CD was made.

As a last resort, you could reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows and then reinstall your programs and all of your backed up data files.

Before any of this though, if you would provide all the system details about your computer, it would be very helpful. This page will provide information on the kind of system details we will need to assist you with this.

As I stated in my previous message in this thread, if you have Verizon as your Internet Service Provider, you don't need MSN to go to Web sites. Any ISP combined with a Web browser will connect you to the Internet.

Dwight

Felicity, please be careful of anything MSN tells you. You are better off on the phone with them than going through (1) email, (2) MSN chat or (3) MSN website, as those people who answer the phone seem to have their you-know-what together better than the so-called "engineers," most of them couldn't find their you-know what with both hands, a map and a bloodhound.

Some time ago MSN picked up the Internet service Qwest had, and there's been connection problems ever since. So they're giving it back. They're always doing something like that to screw everybody up. (Don't tell my son I said this).

Catty

Thank you, cattywampus. I don't believe just anything MSN tells me. I often like to get opinions on it.
Dwight, are you saying that you may be able to help me with this "error" thing without me having to get the people I got the computer from to do anything to it?

*Felicity2

Felicity, what version of Windows and Internet Explorer are you using?. To identify Windows, right-click My Computer and click Properties. For Internet Explorer, open the program, then click Help and About Internet Explorer.

Yes, we can assist you with troubleshooting your system, if we have the system information.

Also, I don't want to appear to be nagging you about this, but would you please explain what it is about the MSN that you need? Is there some feature that MSN advertises that you want to have that you can't get with your Verizon connection?

If we knew what you're end goal is, perhaps there is a suitable substitute for the MSN 8 program which has been so troublesome in your situation.

Dwight

Hello, Tom and Dwight.
Dwight, for one thing, MSN is part of the internet service. I am paying for "Verizon Online DSL with MSN 8", therefore, both Verizon
(I guess through IE) and MSN should work. Verizon works...most of the time. MSN should work, and it doesn't. Now, another thing...MSN is more fun (it should be, anyway). It's supposed to have fun e-mail features, photo editing, and whatever else. Verizon is boring. That e-mail is nothing but text. Blah. I don't even use that e-mail account. I use an account I already had. Besides, sometimes, the Verizon e-mail doesn't want to work. It's not very dependable, so, that's another reason I don't use it.
Now, my Windows version is: Windows ME (that's what you need to know, right?) My IE version is 6.0
Thank you!

*Felicity2

If Internet Explorer cannot be repaired, reinstall it. To do this, click Start, Run, type

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Ie6setup"

and press Enter, then follow the prompts. NOTE: Include the quotes in the command.