Windows Live Messenger Question

[BloodPark]

My step-mother has recently got a Windows Live address so that she can talk to contacts via Messenger. I have too got Windows Live Messenger and the plan was when I run off to University, I can still chat to the family and ask the crucial questions such as "What do I do with socks?" and "I seem to have lost all of my forks, please help me!". Yes. This was the plan y'see.

 

To test it out, however, it didn't work too well. On my list she appeared offline and on her list, I was offline too. Is this because we are on the same internet connection using laptops? We can both talk to my sister, but she is in a different house altogether. I've also been told my step-mum and sister tried it out at this house, but with one on the main computer and one on the laptop and it worked fine.

 

Is there someway we can correct this issue so we can chat to each other? Or do I just need to be on a separate connection? Sorry if this has a ridiculously obvious solution, such as indeed using a different internet source, but I just thought I'd ask incase there was someone who knew what we could do. Thank you!

[Goku]

What version of Windows Live Messenger are you using?

 

-- Goku

[BloodPark]

Windows Live Messenger, Version 2008

 

I assume she uses the same version as she has recently downloaded it.

[Dalo Harkin]

when you say that you use the same internet connection - you mean via a router yes?

if thats the case then it should be fine -

[BloodPark]

Yes, via a router. We have wireless broadband in the house that we both connect to.

[Goku]

OK, when you both are signed in, are you able to chat with anyone else except your mother? Or do all the people appear offline?

 

-- Goku

[Dalo Harkin]

BloodPark - it should connect and be fine - one of the setting must be out on one of the machines - can you both use the internet at the same time but not messenger

[BloodPark]

when you both are signed in, are you able to chat with anyone else except your mother?

 

Yes, she is the only one I can't chat to.

 

can you both use the internet at the same time but not messenger?

 

Yes, using the internet is fine for both of us at the same time, it's just when we come to use Messenger that we can't talk to each other.

 

Is it that you can't have one person using an IP address talking to another person using the same one? I could always take my laptop to my boyfriend's tonight and see if I can connect with her there, and that should say whether it's just a problem about using the same internet or the two Messenger addresses aren't connecting for some reason.

[Dalo Harkin]

Technically you are not using the same IP address, one will end in 01 and the other 02 etc

I would definately check that there are no updates for messenger.

[BloodPark]

Okay, thank you.