Greetings Tammie,

This usually occurs when some other application or possibly even your screen saver (yes I
know you're not using one) is preventing Messenger from accurately detecting that you've gone
away. Unfortunately there really isn't much you can do about this as it's essentially trying
to find a needle in a haystack.  However, what you might try as a workaround is install
Messenger Plus (http://www.msgplus.net) and use its option for doing this (which may work
differently).  The option after installing Plus! is in the main Messenger window, clicking
the Plus! menu, then Preferences, Miscellaneous.  Take note that if you do try this option,
be sure to read through the installer ,as if you do not wish to install the sponsor program
(ie. advertising) that goes along with Plus!, be sure *not* to chose that option during the
installation.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.