MSN Messenger

[pikk]

Hi All

Not sure if this is the right forum for this but what the heck. I have a need for an internal messaging software to save all the crap going through my Exchange server. Basically need a simple and preferably free...Winpopup type app to run on my network. I have tried a few and all our pretty good but not free. I would like to take advantage of MSN Messenger because it is free. However, is there an easy way I can use this for "only" internal messages? What I would like to do be able to do is block access from MSN to all external IP's so people don't use it to chat on the Internet. Can this be done within MSN Messenger or will I have to configure some convaluted IP filter on my Linux gateway? Any ideas or hints??

TIA

Pikk

 

[st1ooopsa]

if you are still after an older version of msn (bit late now maybe!) give:

http://www.oldversion.com

a try! or

http://www.mess.be

 

[pikk]

stualoo

Thanks for the links. I did actually find it (can't remember where though) butI'm going to try it today and see.

thnx!

Pikk

 

[pikk]

Hi again....

Well, I tried to use the 4.6 verson and unless I'm missing something...I cannot find an option to disable the external messaging. My other question now pertains to how this is setup internally. I run a Linux gateway for our internet (off an ADSL conneciton) and I have a PDC and BDC (both NT). I'd simply like to be able to use MSN messenger internally to communicate and not allow external access. Now I can block external access from my Linux box...that's not the problem...I just can't get MSN to work without a DNS and internet email sign in etc etc etc. Am I simply out of luck using this thing? Am I wrong in assuming that MSN 4.6 can act like our current messenging (trial) software, VyPress?

Please help.

Thnx again!

P

 

[Mattb7]

have you tried to use the net send command? Just go to a command prompt and type: net send "computer name" and the message. You can either type the computer name or the IP address of the computer you want to send a message to. IE:
c: net send 192.168.0.1 Hi how are you?
hope this helps.

 

[pikk]

Hmmm, that's very bizarre. I'm familiar with this command and I've used it before but Net send does not work. It says the message alias could not be found. I wonder is that because it can't resolve the name or IP address. I don't run DNS here or WINS. Could this be a problem.

Strange
P'

 

[Mattb7]

no, what is the OS of the computer you are trying to send to?

 

[pikk]

All pc's in my network are win2k. I've tried several different IP's with the same results.

I must be missing something here.

thnx Matt

Pikk

 

[Mattb7]

It should work, try using the names of the pc's instead of using IP addresses.

 

[pikk]

Tried that too. Like I said...very strange.

I can ping, browse...you name it. But net send doens't cut it.

 

[Mattb7]

you can ping the computer but not net send? that is pretty weird. And you did say you are familiar with the command so you are doing it correct i assume.

 

[Mattb7]

I have never seen this before but i wonder if somehow the messenger service isnt installed on your client machines.

 

[Mattb7]

I may have found something, are your computers part of a domain? If so, you have to also enter the domain name before the computer name. Eg:
Net send domain/computer message

 

[Mattb7]

See this is driving me crazy now, Ok you also have to make sure that the clients have messenger service running. To do so, go into control panel administrative tools and services. Look for messenger and make sure it is started. You have to be logged on as admin to do this.

 

[pikk]

Ahhh...makes sense Matt. Why the heck didn't I think of that before...the domain name issue. I've run into this before with other stuff. As for messenger service, yes this is running on all my client systems.

Thanks again for your help.

P'

 

[Mattb7]

Did it work? let me know.