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February 26, 2008 10:22 AM PST

Outage leaves many Hotmail users cold

by Ina Fried
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Service unavailable screen

Many Hotmail users got this message when trying to access their inboxes Tuesday.

(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET News.com)

Microsoft's Windows Live services experienced a significant outage Tuesday, leaving many users unable to get to their Hotmail inboxes. A company representative said all Windows Live services are affected, though not all users are reporting problems.

Microsoft said it is still trying to determine the cause of the problems.

"We are aware that some customers may be experiencing difficulty accessing their Windows Live accounts," the software maker said in a statement to CNET News.com. "We're actively investigating the cause and are working to take the appropriate steps to remedy the situation as rapidly as possible. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and disruption this may be causing our customers."

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
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at peace
by johnedlt February 26, 2008 10:56 AM PST
...my junk mail can wait.
Reply to this comment
See YouTube Story
by Fred Remus February 26, 2008 11:07 AM PST
Related problem?

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9878655-7.html?tag=nefd.pulse" target="_newWindow">http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9878655-7.html?tag=nefd.pulse</a>
I'm getting crazy
by ognen93 February 26, 2008 11:15 AM PST
Wow... Windows Live really freaked me up like never before
Reply to this comment
For me, it's just been mobile
by thuber February 26, 2008 11:25 AM PST
Regular brower access to my email via <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://mail.live.com" target="_newWindow">http://mail.live.com</a> has worked correctly all day. But on my Windows Mobile device I've been unable to log in through Pocket IE (<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://mobile.live.com" target="_newWindow">http://mobile.live.com</a>) and OTA syncing to Pocket Outlook wasn't working. The OTA Hotmail sync started working an hour ago but the Pocket IE login still isn't functioning. Interesting that this is the first I've seen it mentioned in any blog/feed/news site.
Reply to this comment
Hotmail Down
by sitelicense February 26, 2008 11:34 AM PST
I haven't been able to access hotmail.com since I first tried today around 8:20AM. It is still down at the time of this writing.
Reply to this comment
Work around
by Astinsan February 26, 2008 12:06 PM PST
If you have MS Outlook (not express) it works fine.
Yahoo
by n3td3v February 26, 2008 11:37 AM PST
Maybe Jerry Yang did it! To make his employees and share holders not sue him for not accepting microsoft's bid, to make them realise microsoft isn't a good takeover candidate.
Reply to this comment
Yahoo Mail is experiencing worse problems currently!
by petrolemotive February 26, 2008 11:50 AM PST
INA,
Please report on the problems with Yahoo Mail over the past two weeks; they are worse than the Hotmail problems.

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://ymailupdates.com/blog/2008/02/22/resolved-email-delays-through-smtp-servers/#comments" target="_newWindow">http://ymailupdates.com/blog/2008/02/22/resolved-email-delays-through-smtp-servers/#comments</a>

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://forums.cnet.com/5208-4_102-0.html?forumID=15&#38;threadID=284622&#38;messageID=2715320" target="_newWindow">http://forums.cnet.com/5208-4_102-0.html?forumID=15&#38;threadID=284622&#38;messageID=2715320</a>
Reply to this comment
Yahoo has had a world wide outage lately?
by rcrusoe February 26, 2008 1:06 PM PST
Hotmail/Live/Whatever it's name this week is down across the
globe.
On the Plus side
by wolivere February 26, 2008 12:18 PM PST
Revenue Can has now determined I am actually not dead and has lifted the threat to garnish my current tax refund to cover the outstanding tax's on my estate from my death in 1992.
Reply to this comment
Never rely on web mail services
by thenet411 February 26, 2008 12:47 PM PST
You simply cannot rely on webmail services if access to your email is critical. So, this should be nothing more than an inconvenience to users. If it is more than an inconvenience to you, you have no one to blame other than yourself for relying on a free webmail service.

BTW, I can confirm that using Outlook to access Hotmail accounts works when those same accounts cannot use the web interface.
Reply to this comment
Use Gmail, Idiots...
by microsoft slayer February 26, 2008 2:01 PM PST
That's what you get!
Reply to this comment
Truth
by krosavcheg February 26, 2008 3:37 PM PST
Normally I wouldn't condone such overt flame-baiting, but to be honest if you're still using Hotmail or Yahoo mail at this point, I have no sympathy for you. Use Gmail.
Gmail... So that you have no privacy at all
by IMHO65 February 26, 2008 6:08 PM PST
Google does pretty well convincing users that they will give big mailboxes in exchange for relinquishing any rights to privacy. I'll stick with Live.com anyday.
Left Hotmail a Year Ago
by across_mountains February 26, 2008 2:29 PM PST
I changed from Hotmail to Gmail a year ago because I was experiencing problems at that time. I have been very glad that I did so. If Microsoft acquires Yahoo, I would not be surprised if I were to leave Yahoo! Mail, also.
Reply to this comment
HOTMAIL LIVE IS DEAD
by taco_time February 26, 2008 3:35 PM PST
I can't believe that Microsoft who is trying to acquire Yahoo lets this happen to their customers, by having this outage. This should be a wakeup call to use other e-mail services like Gmail, Yahoo, etc. I like Gmail for its no-nonsense e-mail interface. What kind of other disruptions can we expect when Microsoft acquires Yahoo and begins integrating their services. That will be a NIGHTMARE for Microsoft and Yahoo customers who will eventually flee to other portals. HOTMAIL LIVE IS DEAD!
Reply to this comment
Annoyed with Hotmail?
by addypearce February 28, 2008 8:43 AM PST
Check out my blog:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://hotmailtrouble.blogspot.com/" target="_newWindow">http://hotmailtrouble.blogspot.com/</a>
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About Beyond Binary

During her years at CNET, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft.

Beyond Binary is a look at how technology is changing our lives and the people behind all that life-changing stuff, with an extra emphasis on that which emanates from Redmond, Wash.

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