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ukmarco · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2006, 06:33 PM

Hi,
I have just been tempted to upgrade to MSN Live Messenger from 7.5. Only to find I cannot view any of my contact's pictures in the list view nor in the "user has just signed in alert" bottom right of the screen where you normally would see that users display picture in 7.5 when they logged on. When I start a chat session with a particular contact I then can see that person's picture. But the contact list just displays dozens of the " dull little green skittle guys" beside each name even when the contacts are online. I have furiously searched the net(and LM help) for advice on this issue and cannot find a view setting to change this. I also know several new LM upgraders who have exactly the same problem. Has this cool feature beloved by all us devoted msn'ers being discontinued in LM ? If so I will downgrade because this is a definite giant leap backwards by Microsoft. I really hope not. Also is there a patch or something to remove all the sickly ads continiuosly flashing away beneath the text box eg online gambling/casinos etc. Will be very grateful for any advice....

Best Regards

Ukmarco

PS. I do NOT have Zone Alarm as mentioned to another member in similar previous post

princeG · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2006, 07:08 PM

Hello ukmakro and welcome to bigblueball

The patch you're looking for that removes those incredibly annoying advertisements is the Mess Patch.
What build of Windows Live Messenger you have? I would suppose you're on 8.0.0812. Go here to download Mess Patch.

As for your first question, you're right that this feature is not included in this version of msn.
There was a link of a little add-on that let you view people's pictures just like in 7.5, here, but it's not working anymore.. Don't know why.

I think, though, just think, that this feature will be on again in the next WLM 8.1 which is now on beta stage.

ukmarco · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-2006, 08:01 PM

Many Thanks for your help Prince... The mess patch unfortunatly doesn't work with the latest version of Internet Explorer 7.0.5700.6, I am using. It looks like I am going to have to downgrade and revert to the user friendly version (7.5) of messenger until Microsoft decide to release newer versions that are actually 'better' and stop removing key visual features from older versions that has made it so successful, (and cramming it full of annoying ads.) I quite like the crisp clean appearance of LM but this annoying problem is a major show stopper for upgrading with me and probably trillions of other users at the moment.

Thanks once again for your help!