Help needed, had to replace my computer
 

I've turned to Flyertalk for all of my travel problems and questions; I hope somebody here can help me (not a particularly computer savy individual) with a problem. My computer died of hard disk failure, not a big deal really, I was kind of expecting it. I access the internet through my local cable provider.
On my old machine, I click the start button, then click MSN, then click my particular screen name from among four family accounts, enter the password and I'm in. All my favorites are there, categorized into folders (hotel chains, airlines, countries, restaurants, etc.). Perfect.
On this new computer, I don't have the MSN in the start button to click, all I have is an Internet Explorer button; it lets me in to check mail, but doesn't grant me access to all of my "favorites". It's an entirely different screen, with no "open new window" option, no little pop-up when I get mail as well as a lot of other things i hate (not used to).
If I click on an MSN installer, it wants $9.95 a month. Any idea what I should be doing?
Thanks all,
--JD

I'm 99% positive that your favorites are stored on your local hard drive and since it doesn't work, your data is gone.

I've never known any ISP that somehow stores your favorites for you. There are some private web services that do this and you can always copy and/or print the favorites in case a problem like this arises.

I certainly fall into this category too but one is a fool if they do not backup their data.

I have a feeling all may not be lost.

I believe MSN Messenger & Explorer stores favorites and messenger contacts on their servers.

I am not familiar with the exact version of MSN software you were using but it could be MSN Messenger or either MSN Explorer.

Try downloading both of these by searching in Google. Your new computer may have MSN Messenger already preloaded onto it. Once installed, open them both up and you should be presented with similar (depending on the software version) login screens to what your used to.

I am assuming that MSN or Microsoft was not your cable provider therefore it has nothing to do with them. As myfrogger mentioned those favorites however might have been stored on your old PC's C drive, in which case are lost.

Hope this helps