live messenger double icons in system tray

Have problem with live messenger showing two icons in system tray.One is regular(the green one),and one is black square.the green one show that I'am sign in,and black square show that I'm not signed in.The messenger is the latest one,and the OS is XP SP3 updated.I reinstall messenger,install again same thing.Black square is there.So what is your oppinion.
Thanks in advance.

 

Hey Goran.
Odd question, but maybe its the Windows Messenger, and the other one is Windows Live Messenger.
What I would try is open up your MSCONFIG and view your startup and it should list all the messenger programs that start when your PC does. Possibly disabling one of them may get rid of that black square. Just a thought.

 

I uninstalled windows messenger long time ago,but (this is odd) when I click exit on the black square live messenger in shut down.So it must be related to the live messenger.I uninstall everything in add& remove(everything from windows essentials),install again and black square is there.

 

Hi,DomLuc.
No messenger plus.
One address.
I know about this registry fix,and I used so no windows messenger on this xp.

 

I think there's some confusion here between Windows Messenger and the Messaging service (not surprising given MS's naming), they are different beasts - it is the Messaging service that should always be turned off - except, perhaps in LAN only settings.

 

And the black square messenger, can you sign into your messenger and everything using that black square?
Also, have you installed any other MSN related or Messenging related software that may use that black square?

 

There's a huge difference Dom, check it out.

 

The green one is show that I'm sign in the black one show that I'm not sign in.

"And the black square messenger, can you sign into your messenger and everything using that black square?"
Yes.And when I sign in I have two green man.

EDIT:Forgot to say that I'm virus free,so it's must be with live messenger registry mess up,but don't know were to start.

 

Dom,I know what you try to say and you are right,but this is not the point.

 

So why did you post a link to the real much-exploited Messenger service - where is the link to your claimed exploited Windows Messenger?

This confusion has been going on since XP was in Beta

I use Windows Messenger in parallel to the now Live Messenger, there really is no problem with it. Spam? Never had any through it since those Beta days. So much more likely to have a problem by just clicking on a link pasted into Live Messenger.

 

Academic? (fast edit )

Windows Messenger is a completely different thing to the Messenger service which your link pertains to.

Charles Sparks on the Messenger service http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Messenger.htm

Dom, you initial reply in this thread was after a query by Elder_Usr about whether the 2nd icon was from Windows Messenger, a valid question as Windows Messenger uses a similar icon to that of Live Messenger, the Messaging service uses no icons, merely popping up a box above the clock with the message in it.

The PCHell article is very poorly written and confusing, better to disregard it, i think.

 

I have the same issue did you ever resolve this? The icon is definately related to Windows Live Messenger. If you shut it down it shuts down the other live messenger icon too. Start it back up and it is not there so I thinkit is related to starting at Windows start and not being conencted to the Internet yet.

 

I have been having this issue for years with Live Messenger and XP.
This is not to be confused with Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger.This issue relates specifically to Windows Live Messenger.
I am currently running Version 2009 (Build 14.0.8117.416)

Problem:
Windows XP boots and show 2 instances of Windows Live Messenger in the taskbar.
The first to load is always a black square icon followed directly by the normal WLMess icon.

Diagnosis:
When placing the "mouse-over" either icon, it shows Windows Live Messenger.
When exiting the normal icon, messenger closes, but the black square remains running.
When exiting the black square, both instances of WLMess close.

To date, there has never been a reason or solution to this issue.
Reinstalling XP does not resolve this issue.

If anyone has come across a fix for this, I'd be very interested!!!

 

Thanks "Goran.P" for the info.
I reposted this old topic because no one has ever come up with a fix!
Of course as per Murphy's law; now that Microsoft is ending Live Messenger,
I came up with a third party fix that works 100%. "Damn you Murphy!"
The solution is simple:
For WLMessenger Version 2009 (Build 14.0.8117.416), simply download the A-Patch from:
http://apatch.org/files/index.php?ACT=dl&id=23
and select the option for running Polygamy (Multi-MSN)
That's it! No more second black square icon ever!
(Too little, too late I know! But at least the fix was found)