-Check messenger version-

There are several different versions of messenger out there... have even has some old 381 version users popped  up recently. But the newer versions have chat, web cam, Chatables, and several new smileys. So, lets start with finding out what version you have.

on the front of messenger, click help ~you should see this drop down

then click the option that says ABOUT YAHOO MESSENGER 

the numbers that say 5, 0, 0, 1028  are the version/build number. this is what you need to know ~ yours will probably be different.. version as of feb 7 is  5,5,0,1250.

 

cant see profiles?  -  

try checking for critical updates and virtual machine ~ but no guarantees.... some days i can see profiles on messenger, some days i cant. 

-web cam wont work?-

the first time you use your cam on yahoo, you will need to start in java chat. find someone / or a room with cams in use. ask someone if you can view their cam. this will load some files  on your comp to help with yahoo use. then broadcast your cam once. this should load the rest of the cam files. then cam should work  work on messenger ( or on ychat or yahelite :) )  no good? double check quickhelp for  more cam info

-what is this!?!?!-

when you log onto java chat you will now see your name, computers name and ip.

do not freak out!  yahoo added that so users would know that yahoo knows their ip address (and name on account ).. it doesn't get broadcast. ONLY YOU SEE IT....basically, someone thought that if yahoo put the IP addy up there, then users would see it, and maybe not trade child porn or be abusive. yahoo already had it. they are just letting folks know they know. this was instituted after the webcams were added. you cant stop yahoo from knowing who you are once you log in. but you can change what you see. check the privacy policy for more details.

change your name in that display~

go to account info....on the left side, under Address/Contact Information, click edit, and remove  or change the name there......you should see whatever id you log in show then. 

change  your comps name in  that display~

• click start > 
• then settings > 
• then control panel > (some may need to click system here)  then network > 
• then identification >  ( some may need to click more here)
• then just change what you see in the box for computer name

you can not change your ip, that is your computers unique address on the net  . for dial up users it changes every time you reboot. it remains the same for cable/ dsl users usually. but as i said, only you see it, and yahoo only cares if you do something bad. you're not gonna be bad are you?

want to see the help video?  download the how to check version video file here

see the video here!!!

need to *fix* messenger? you can always rerun the installer, found in  C:\Program Files \Yahoo!\Installs , the ymsgrie.exe file.... or you can go to add remove programs and look for yahoo messenger, then double click it on the list.. and you should get the repair option. this will restore default settings, remove any registry edits, etc.

if you don't see an option to join chat ~ possible you are not in a chat version of messenger ( most 4, 0, 0, xxxx versions are chat enabled) you may be on java pager.

don't see web cam? 4, 0, 0 , 9xx version or better for most......

 imv? going to be 5,0,0,1018 or so.....

Chatables? needs to be 5.0.0.1036 version of messenger or higher

only see this devil face?

  its the last one java chat users sees..

see this cowboy smiley?  

you have 992~ give or take a build..

see the flag? 

you have 1015 or better

see the pumpkin?  then you have 1028 or better

if you see the ghost, you have 1015

see the chicken?

then you have version 5.5 at least

if you see something like this for one of the above     then you do not have the correct messenger version or you have it installed in other than c-drive ~ and remember.... java will not see all of them! or... your messenger is not installed where it should be :) use the how to find version info ....