Hi Richard,

As you are unable to send and receive emails using the MSN software.  Please check if you are able to view your emails on hotmail website i.e., http://www.hotmail.com/. In case if you are able to view the message content on the hotmail website then with MSN software it is an synchronization issue. You need to first rename .sdf files, once your rename the .sdf files you should be able to view your email content in MSN. Please find the below steps to rename .sdf files.

Windows XP

Note: Sign out from MSN then close the program before performing the steps below.

         1. Click ‘Start’ then ‘Run’

         2. Type in the box: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\MSN

         3. Click ‘OK’

         The MSN folder will open.

         4. In the MSN folder, do the following:                       

                   a. Click ‘Tools’, ‘Folder options’, then ‘View’

                   b. Put a dot on ‘Show hidden files and folders’

                   c. Uncheck the ‘Hide extensions for known file types’

                   d. Click ‘Apply’, then ‘OK’

         The db30 folder will appear inside the MSN folder.

         5. Open the db30 folder and look for a file that ends as msn-com.sdf and msn-com_JMF.sdf

         7. Right-click, choose ‘Rename’ and add .old after .sdf to both these files

         8. Close the db30 folder