Windows 7 - iTunes and MSN on Windows 7: HELP!

Okay, so I recently got a new laptop with Windows 7.

I'm starting from scratch so when it comes to iTunes, I have no music on the laptop whatsoever. I'm having problems, though - not so much installing it, really, but afterwards. I was told to download the newest version (ver.9) and 'run as administrator' which would start the install, so I did. Almost straight away though it told me to download the 64bit version instead; I deleted everything to do with Apple and iTunes from my programs, as I was directed, and downloaded the 64bit version. The install completed successfully and it looks like there were no problems... until I tried to open the file. It told me something about the "iTunes Library.itl" not being able to open because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. I read on another forum that I was to search for the iTunes Library and open the file from there, but I got the same message. Now, I don't have any music on my laptop whatsoever, which made me a little confused when people were talking about only upgrading their version of the software.

When I got my laptop it already had Windows Live installed, but whenever I try to sign into Messenger it says something about the system been unavailable and to try again later. Now, I know the service is working perfectly fine because nobody else is having any problems and I can sign in with no trouble using eBuddy.net - so what's the problem?

Can anyone help me, please? I really need this up and running properly. I'll try whatever people recommend. Post links, suggestions, ideas... please!

Thanks.

EDIT: iTunes now works, thank God. Any ideas for MSN anyone?

try re installing messenger and go from there
check your connections to

I think you need to sign in with a Windows Live ID to get messenger to work, just a thought

My connections are fine, everything else works without a problem and I've checked to make sure that my firewall isn't blocking the application... which it isn't, unless I'm looking in the wrong place or misunderstanding something. Also, my email address is definitely Windows Live compatible; I'm at my Parent's place at the moment on my Dad's laptop and I can connect with no problem. :/

try re installing the application