Shoutbox

system spec = processor + clock speed (eg. Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 3200+ 2.8 GHz), operating system (eg. Windows XP), amount of RAM (eg. 128 MB or 512 MB)

also, ur internet connection might help (dial-up, ADSL, cable), it culd possibly be that ur connection to the server is lagging (slow) which could cause the delayed toasts and messages on your end

also, it could be that your behind a firewall or router that doesn't allow direct access to the MSN server

also try wut CookieRevised said up above, could be any of those