Fixing Windows Live Messenger 8004888d Error

You may encounter the 8004888d error when you try to sign on to the Windows Live Messenger.

Cause of the Error

The following are two main causes of the error on a Windows XP computer:

  • There is some problem with the DLL files that are required for the Windows Live Messenger to work.
  • Group policies are not set correctly on the system.

Resolution Methods

Depending on the cause, you may use one the following methods to resolve the error.

Method 1: Re-register the required DLL files.

To re-register the DLL files, perform the following steps:

  1. Open Start menu, select Run.
  2. In the Open box, type the following commands one-by-one, and then press Enter.
    • regsvr32 Msxml3.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Dssenh.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Gpkcsp.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Slbcsp.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Sccbase.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Softpub.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Wintrust.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Initpki.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Rsaenh.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Mssip32.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Cryptdlg.dll /s

Method 2: On Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 server, and Windows 2003 server Check the Group Policy Settings.

To check the Group Policy Settings, perform the following steps:

  1. Open Start menu, select Run.
  2. In the Open box, type the gpedit.msc command, and then press Enter.
  3. In the Group Policy Editor window, do the following:
    1. Expand Computer Configuration.
    2. Expand Windows Settings.
    3. Expand Security Settings.
    4. Expand Software Restriction Policies.
    5. Expand Trusted Publishers.
    6. Ensure that the default value for Allow the following users to select trusted publishers, End users.

If this setting is not there at all, it implies that this method does not apply in your situation.

Problems with registered DLL files and policies are also known to occur due to registry problems. This is because all your DLL and policy configuration information is stored within the registry. Now, as you work on your PC, the registry is accessed frequently by programs to obtain the required configuration information. Moreover, when you install or remove programs and hardware, or modify your system settings information is added and removed from this registry. All this activity within it makes the registry quite prone to attract and accumulate a lot of junk data within it. This junk data usually comprises obsolete, invalid, and malicious registry entries and causes the registry to grow to a very large size, eventually damaging its files. A damaged registry generates several computer errors, including DLL errors.

To prevent registry problems, it is recommended that you regularly scan and clean your registry, especially after you uninstall a large program on your system. You can do this task easily with the help of a reliable and efficient third-party registry cleaner tool, such as RegServe.