OK, now I get it working...
What I did was so "violent":
- Uninstall MSN Messenger.
- If there is msiexec.exe left in your process (I don't know why but Windows X's installer seems not to exit properly), kill it.
- Locate HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSNMessenger and delete the whole subkey
- Locate HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger, as well delete the whole subkey
- Locate Application Data\Microsoft, and delete the whole MSN Messenger directory.
- Install and sign in.
Yep that means all your Messenger settings, including Display Pictures, Backgrounds, Custom Emoticons...etc WILL VANISH.
I bet that
not every of the steps above is necessary but you may just try it...