With the recent ruling of the European Union other internet web browsers like FireFox, Opera and Safari have become instantly more popular. The dominance of Internet Explorer is diminishing, but with some nasty side effects. Here's one where e-mail and internet browsing works perfectly but chat programs like MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger or Triallian do not. Find out why.
 

We can't sign you in to Windows Live messenger

While browsing the internet with Firefox or alike and checking and sending e-mails, suddenly Windows Live Messenger can't connect and comes up with the following message:
 

Windows Live Messenger: We can't sign you in to Windows Live Messenger - Error code: 80048051

Live is full of surprises as it also seems to be the case with windows LIVE messenger.

Now let's move on and lets try Yahoo Messenger with a fully operational Internet connection.
This is what Yahoo Messenger has to say:
 

Messenger encountered a connection problem. (81003004)

But the network is ok! Firefox, Opera and Safari work ok. E-mail is working also. What's wrong here?
 

Your gateway appears to be offline

Luckily Windows Live Messenger has a troubleshoot button which appears after several failed login attempts. The verdict of Windows Live Messenger Connection TroubleShooter is:
 

Messenger encountered a connection problem. (81003004)

But the network is totally ok - internet works for e-mail and web browsing!
 

Trillian messenger has the answer

The integrated chat messenger combing Yahoo as well as MSN had it right from first on. It reported the following solution. Start Internet Explorer and do the following:
 

Internet Explorer Working Offline file menu switches chat off

Remove the "Work Offline" check mark and all chat messengers work again.

Just another dominant feature or Windows Internet Explorer....forcing you to start Internet Explorer.