What is "Hotmail Attachments Control Version ... for Mars."

[falcon2000]

Hi all,

I have configured Hotmail as the default mail client in IE5.5
If I logon to my Hotmail account directly {going to Hotmail site directly) everything is fine. But when I try write a new mail by pressing the mail button in IE5.5 a window always pops up and asks me do I wanna install "Hotmail Attachments Control Version 1.5.0.4 for Mars ... Distributed by MS." I always choose "No" b/c I don't know what "Mars" is. But then I canNOT send any email (it will say down at the page "Error on Page")!
Again, if I just go to Hotmail and logon to my account there, everything is fine. None of this "Mars" nonesense will come up. Anyone knows what the deal is with this "Mars" thingy?

Thanks in advance.

[This message has been edited by falcon2000 (edited 10-01-2001).]

[Virtual Patient]

Hi Falcon,

Is there not a URL or anything else on the pop up to let you find out more about it before installation?

If not, contact MS and ask them what the file is. You could just do a search on the MS site using the file name, they should tell you all you need to know prior to acceptance of the download.

Hope this helps.

VP

[falcon2000]

I click on the "more info" button but it tells me absolutely nothing about it (it just tells me something about the Verisign programme.) If I click on the name of the program it is supposed to give me more info on the program but all it does is open up another browser window at Hotmail.

I have also email Hotmail support twice about it but all I have gotten back from Hotmail supports were some "generic" answer for sending email. I don't think they have even spent the time to read my question at all.

A Google search yields nothing on it.

The funny thing is, like I said, if I just go to Hotmail directly, this window will not come up and everything is fine.

[This message has been edited by falcon2000 (edited 10-01-2001).]

[Virtual Patient]

Hi again Falcon,

Just a thought, have you downloaded all the IE updates? It could be that your version is missing something!

VP

[falcon2000]

I'm on SP2 for the IE5.5 now. SP2 should be the latest update for IE5.5. Plus, if anything is missing in my IE, I should have encountered the same thing when I log on to my Hotmail account directly. But I don't. It only happens when I click the "mail" button in the browser to get to it.

[Virtual Patient]

Hi Falcon,

It was just a thought.

I use hotmail myself but have set up the msn explorer so that everyone in the house can access their own email accounts through that browser. I keep my other email accounts seperate using Outlook Express - I also use Internet explorer 5.5 sp2 for other tasks.

Sorry I can't be of more help - perhaps some of the more technically minded members will be able to help you. I find the Windows 98 forum to be the most helpful.

VP

[falcon2000]

Hey Virtual Patient,

Thanks 4 the replies. I just emailed Hotmail support again. Hopefully they will answer me this time coz' I ain't gonna install nothing i duno nothing about.

[Virtual Patient]

Hello again falcon,

I came across download updates on MSN zone yesterday and it appears that all sorts of changes have been going on - I also had to update MSN explorer and IE explorer as the zone did not recognize that the update should apply to both browsers.
I know this isn't the same problem as you but it may be linked as they are messing around with all sorts at the moment

VP

[falcon2000]

Still haven't heard from Hotmail spport yet.

VP,

It's been happening for a long time so I don't think it is related to the recent changes at MSN.

Strange! Seems like I am the only one having this problem!

[This message has been edited by falcon2000 (edited 10-04-2001).]

[falcon2000]

Update:

Never received any useful info from Hotmail support. They kept sending generic answers that had nothing to do with my question.

However, all at a sudden, everything is working correctly now. The message to d/l and install the "Hotmail Attachments Control Version ... for Mars" doesn't come up anymore and I can send/read mails.

Since I haven't changed anything in my box, I guess it's something on Hotmail's end then.

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