Hi - been having probs with the IM software. It was ok-ish for a few weeks then it stopped loading and instead just sent me TXT messages- successful or forced logout-so i deleted the app thinking i'd just download a new one- so can anyone help me with how to download a free new app. i only need aim but the others are cool too

You should probably check out "Ramble."

As noted Ramble IM for AIM and eMSN for MSN both free so you get what you pay for!

Can you recommend a good AIM client then?

Ramble is very good, and great support. If you're in a BES environment, you may need to fiddle with the program's settings which are NOT in the program, but under Settings --> Options --> Ramble.

I use IM+ so I can have AIM, YIM, and MSN all running under one interface, and it's excellent too.