Hahahaha, MSN = evil, help me get GAIM to connect to it >=/

So here's the deal. Most of you know this, but...
I GOT THE LAPPY =D
Now the only barrier at this moment keeping me from technological bliss is that MSN does not want to let me conect via GAIM. Now, I have two good reasons why I do NOT want to use the official client:

1) Forces you to look at damned Flash ads
2) I'd rather have one program running then two, to keep resource use down

I've already done some searching via Google, and all I know is that it is somehow related to the notification server. The master server, "messenger.hotmail.com:1838", is refusing to let me connect. However, if I can get the IP address to one of the other nodes of the network (which MSN connects to every new session) then I can finally get access to all the IM protocols I need.

IP addresses, or some other help please? And I did try looking already; no dice.

If you have Windows, Try Trillian. otherwise, check your conection settings.

NO to Trillian. It wants money for all the good features, and even then my previous experiences with it have left me in anger.

If checking my conection settings would have helped, I wouldn't be asking this right now.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Try the Firewall settings

Been there, done that. Ditto to router.

BTW there's a plugin for MSN that removes all the crap like ads and stuff

I know, Lightning gave it to me. It's an okay fix, but I'd rather get MSN in gaim to work (I like it a lot more)

while we're talking about gaim, am i the only one getting a million headaches from its random disconnects on aim?