Julie,
you definitely got me headed in the right direction. I got a generic response from Max that had some new things to try that I hadn't come across before. Here's the link:
Windows Live ID Support Site: How to optimize Internet Explorer settings
So I manage to login! :approve: BUT when I tried to update my profile with my verizon account I get an error message that the domain @verizon.net is blocked or invalid. :realmad:
So I decide I'll just go the past of least resistance and sign up for a hotmail account. But the domain I get is @live.com. I'm thinking no problem and proceed to update my account. Then I get message that Windows Live ID must verify my account - the original one I signed up with that hasn't existed for some time.
But it seemed to update or do something because I had a valid profile. So I activate Microsoft Reader on my trusty old X5 but it won't let me access my books. So I think that I signed up for another account.
Fine, I'll backtrack and login again under my original account. Can't. Follow the same steps that allowed me to access my original account previously and delete cookies, reset defaults, etc. Still can't login under original account.
So I've sent off another message to Max and I'll let you know what happens.