[sciencefeeling]

I read your post before and did some research with my own outlook express.
The truth is I stoped using it after that happened without even trying to fix it, so I am not really sure what I am going to tell you is going to help in any way.
The fact is, OE takes the contact from: a. your address book and b. the default IM program. That is, if you set MSN msgr. to be your default IM program...then it will take contacts from it. In my case I set AIM to be my default IM program so it used to take it from there.
First thing to do is not allow MSN and Windows Messenger (very important) to connect directly when windows start or to run in the back.
In IE check Tools-Options-Programs-Contact List-check that it says address book, and not other program.
Then in OE-Tools-Options-unckeck "Directly connect to MSN messenger".
With this settings it stops taking my contacts...from any IM program...see if it works for you
N.-