Okay, here's the zipped folder of the e-mails from MSN Messenger tech support. There were two different techs who sent e-mails. I have done everything that each one told me to do...
Yipee!!
I found the solution to the missing packs just before I had decided to reformat and re-install everything. I found an IE Explorer forum in the Microsoft forums. I had a problem with "page cannot be displayed" when visiting web pages as well as the MSN Messenger problem. This is what was suggested on that forum:
I did a search for the HOSTS file, renamed it HOSTS OLD.
Downloaded and installed the Microsoft Anti-spyware beta
program.
This found 4 items that Adaware and Spybot did not find. One of the items had to do with browser changes.
Rebooted and....yipee!!! all fixed, both problems.
Between doing these two things, my MSN Messenger problems are fixed and I do not have the "page cannot be displayed" error on web pages. I can now download the packs and do not have empty squares with X's in them.
Attachment: 
