Unable to launch Win Messenger 5.0 on XP

Recently we upgraded many of our PC's with a ghost image
of XP. Then we attempted to install Windows Msgr 5.0. The
installer runs but when we attempt to launch we get the
error:
"msmsgs.exe
The application has failed to start because the
application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the
app may fix this problem."

Of course, reinstalling doesn't fix. Removing and
reinstalling generates the same error. We have Symantec
Anti-virus client but it's controlled centrally so there
are no options regarding IM to alter. I've run the
windowsenable.reg fix and still no luck. Any thoughts on
this one?