Windows Messenger causing XP to freeze

New laptop (P4 2.6Ghz 512Mb RAM) , two weeks old. Windows
Messenger was working fine until 2 days ago, when it
started creating CPU surges in activity (to 100%) every 20
seconds or so. The entire laptop grinds to a halt for
about 5 seconds

I re-installed Windows Messenger but this had no effect,
the same problem remained.

I uninstalled Windows messenger again and this time
installed MSN Messenger. This now works fine, but I can't
get it to integrate with Outlook Express.

Ideally I'd like to go back to Windows Messenger but only
if I'm certain it's not going have the same problem as
before.

All help gratefully received.

Mark.