I found a FIX: Windows XP HE SP1 upgrade to SP2 disables OE6 & MSN Hotmail

[MelissaY]

I wanted to take a moment to share a 'fix' that I stumbled across during my internet searches; I hope it works for anyone else who is having the same issue.

Two years ago, after updating my Windows XP Home Edition from SP1 to SP2; I received an same error message; Outlook Express 6 wouldnt download message from my paid and premium account subscription with MSN.

Here is the message I received:
Unable to poll for new messages on your HTTP server. Account: '(myemailaddress)', Server: 'http://oe.msn.msnmail.hotmail.com/cgi-bin/hmdata', Protocol: HTTPMail, Server Response: 'Redirect to partner', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x80004005

MSN, Dell and Microsoft could not 'fix' the issue. They tried everything, nothing worked, so the easiest thing was to revert back to SP1.

Fast forward to 2006 and Microsoft announces they no longer support SP1. So I update to SP2 (thinking their glitch might have been resolved); and it was still an issue.

I've been searching for two days, pulling my hair out and getting on the phone with MSN and Dell (Microsoft said they'd help me if I paid them for support).

I FINALLY found the 'fix' and it worked for me, but it was hard to find, so I want to spread the word and help others who are trying to troubleshoot and those who are always so kind enough to help.

GO TO:
INTERNET OPTIONS>
SECURITY TAB>
TRUSTED SITES>
SITES >
In the websites list, there may be the following three (3) trusted sites (jot them down first)>
REMOVE ALL THREE (3) FROM THE LIST>

The following (3) were on my websites list (I removed each of them)
*.hotmail.com
*.msn.com
*.passport.net

UNCHECK REQUIRE SERVER VERIFICATION (https)
FOR ALL SITES IN THIS ZONE>
CLICK OK>
CLICK APPLY>
CLICK OK

Good Luck!
Meli

[PhilliePhan]

Thanks for the post, Meli

Fixes for less common problems like this are great because they are so difficult to find!

PP