Chances are it's a problem on Plus! or messengers side regardless of what there saying.
Although, there could be something going around.
I have latest version of Plus! All windows up dates, spywareblaster, IE-Spyad (2 of which block messenger Plus! to be downloaded) and mine has never evere froze, even under a tremendus load.
You guys can still send me a log.
It may be an internal infection.
Here is the HijackThis download site:
http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/files/hijackthis_sfx.exe
Here is my e-mail
Alanirv2@hotmail.com
Alan