Shoutbox

I'm not sure if anyone posted this or faced the same problem i did but my msn messenger had been encountering this problem for quite some time...

The problem is that i can't create my own new emoticons. I am sure that the file format is of the correct one.  But everytime i create emoticons, only i am able to view my own emoticon while my friend can only see the command i used to create the emoticon.  And once i log off messenger and re-log in, my new emoticons will disappear and a message will show saying that "your customed emoticons cannot be used, please create new ones".  I have experienced that for about a few months and i find it really wasted being unable to use those cute emoticons i have.  I have been creating new ones for mths and it's still asking me to create new ones!!!  Can anyone please help me?  Or at least let me know why i am having this problem? Thks in advance...