Messenger for Mac log-in problem

Hello, this is my first post here, as I come looking for your gracious help!

(I was told you were friendly )

Anyway, my problem is with MSN Messenger. When I first downloaded the Beta version of 8, it told me I had to change my login ID as it was not compatible with Messenger (whatever that means, worked fine on all the old ones). So instead of changing my 10 year old e-mail address, I decided to create a new one just for Messenger. I did that, and then when I tried to log in, it says it can't recognize the username, or I've misspelled the password. (I didn't)

So I tried uninstalling that and reinstalling 7.0 and same thing again, with both the old and the new e-mail addresses. (the old is a Hotmail, the new is a Live)

Anybody know what is wrong here? I'm at a loss and can't seem to be able to use Messenger with video. Would I be better off creating ANOTHER Live ID and trying that?

Thanks all