A) When you access a website for mail, it often stores your information in hidden files on your computer called Cookies. These "cookies" may contain login information that only makes sense to the website you are trying to reach.
If you are checking mail and the browser crashes or you close the browser before signing out of the mail server, you may get a corrupt cookie--that is you may have a cookie that didn't get formatted completely. When you try to access the mail server again, using the same browser, it detects the messed up cookie and thinks you are already logged in--which means you can't login again.
SOLUTION: Try clearing your cookies first (see link below) or try a different browser (i.e.: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera) in that order.
B) Microsoft has been having a hard time keeping up with the amount of Live traffic they have been receiving. Often, the best solution in this case is to wait for 10 minutes and try it again. And when I say 10 minutes, I mean just a little while. There's no hard and true amount of time that you can wait to ensure less traffic on their servers. Maybe try checking mail at a time when there is particularly less chance of it being busy: say late evening or early morning.
C) Consider another mail service provider. Though all mail services that have web-based clients have some issues with connectivity, you may find that a good ole Gmail account would serve you better. By Google's shear size, you are more likely to get reliable service than you will with other mail service providers. Plus, tools exist to help make the transition better.
Answers & Comments
A) When you access a website for mail, it often stores your information in hidden files on your computer called Cookies. These "cookies" may contain login information that only makes sense to the website you are trying to reach.
If you are checking mail and the browser crashes or you close the browser before signing out of the mail server, you may get a corrupt cookie--that is you may have a cookie that didn't get formatted completely. When you try to access the mail server again, using the same browser, it detects the messed up cookie and thinks you are already logged in--which means you can't login again.
SOLUTION: Try clearing your cookies first (see link below) or try a different browser (i.e.: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera) in that order.
http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser's-Cookies
B) Microsoft has been having a hard time keeping up with the amount of Live traffic they have been receiving. Often, the best solution in this case is to wait for 10 minutes and try it again. And when I say 10 minutes, I mean just a little while. There's no hard and true amount of time that you can wait to ensure less traffic on their servers. Maybe try checking mail at a time when there is particularly less chance of it being busy: say late evening or early morning.
C) Consider another mail service provider. Though all mail services that have web-based clients have some issues with connectivity, you may find that a good ole Gmail account would serve you better. By Google's shear size, you are more likely to get reliable service than you will with other mail service providers. Plus, tools exist to help make the transition better.
Hope this helps,
Jase