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

try re installing the application