OK that helps, but now I see clearly what the underlying problem is and it
hasn't solved that. The chosen display name is forgotten over each restart.
That's the underlying problem. By default (without a display name) it starts
with the first name in your profile and if there is no first name in the
profile, that's when you get the really annoying request for a display name
at each startup. Now I've put a first name in the profile it always starts
with my first name rather than my chosen display name. One solution would
seem to be to change the profile so my first name field contains my display
name, but it seems Microsoft have messed up here

"jimimaseye" wrote:

I had EXACTLY that roblem too and tonight I have just worked out the solution.

Log on to your LIVE account (https://accountservices.msn.com/editprof.srf)
with the login address you use and after logging in, edit your profile and
ensure that you at least have a first name and last name in your profile. (I
cheated and just added the 'nickname' (desired display name) in both fields).
I didnt have his, and once I added it I stopped the problem.

Lets see how you get on.

"Kevbirder" wrote:

I have recently reinstalled Windows XP SP3 (and all other software) after a
hard disk change. Windows Messenger 4.7 was working fine for me before this.

Now whenever I start messenger I have to enter a display name. After I
enter a name I get logged on OK. I have been into the options and can change
the display name there temporarily. However at the next start it asks
again. I installed 5.1 even though I was happy with 4.7 before and the
problem persists.
So somehow it forgets the display name between each logon.

I have searched previous posts and seen this probblem come up before but
never a clear answer.