Try asking a newsgroup for problem with messenger and not Outlook Express.
And advise them as to whether you are using Windows Messenger or MSN
Messenger since there are some slight differences between them.

If email is the only option, that would normally indicate the contact is not
online at the present time.
--
Jim Pickering, MVP, Outlook Express
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/pr...8-1171988A62D6
Please deliver feedback to the newsgroup, so that others can be helped.
Thanks.


"Bob" wrote in message
t...
My Microsoft Messenger v7.5 has lost recognition of a contact it had
previously had. The Hotmail address book shows the pawn icon but only in
red. Cliking on it does not allow IM, only email. Is this a security or
other such setting problem? Stumped here...
Thanks for any assistance.
Bob