When you get: Unexpected error. Your license file must be damaged, Please reinstall the software, there's actually nothing wrong with your MSN Messenger. You've got InfoPen to blame, the handwriting addon that allows you to send ink messages to your contacts.

Now most of you will have tried to reinstall MSN Messenger, but that makes things even worse when you're presented with: "The application has failed to start because VP.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

What you have to do is go to Start > Run and then type msconfig. Go to the Startup tab and uncheck InfoPen. Reboot your system and try to fire up MSN Messenger.

If that doesn't work, then reinstall InfoPen, then remove it again through your Control Panel > Software. Now go to Start > Run and then type msconfig. Go to the Startup tab, uncheck InfoPen and reboot your system. Your MSN Messenger should work now.

Now, the "license file" error occurs when Infopen's trial period has expired. Try this plugin for Messenger Plus! instead.