When MSN is started (and logged in) the status of the Contacts-on-desktop are not refreshed from the main window. They are displayed as they were when you last signed off.
The status for each Contacts-on-desktop window gets updated as the user changes status.
MSN Version: 6.2.0137
MSG Plus Version: 3.20.100
Windows 2000 (sp unknown) & Windpws XP SP2