Not being a laptop owner I might be talking nonsenses here LOL. However if possible try disabling both webcams for a while and listen to the sound quality. This will help define the issue perhaps. Then enable just one, disable it and enable the other. A pain of course but if it helps pinpoint the issue it might be worth the effort. We find with Skype it is great but on the odd occasion a webcam will affect the speech causing garble chatting. Closing the webcams seems to fix it. Generally this is the same people each time - and of course the problem MUST be on our computers because they tell us so. On the issue of echo we have not had that when talking to people with built in mics on laptops. On a desktop with a standalone mic in front of the speakers it can become bedlam

status as offline "Windows Live Messenger allow users to appear offline to particular individual contacts, as well as to an entire category within Windows Live Messenger, while appearing online to other contacts. This is a recent feature of Windows Live Messenger 2011, and is a departure from the previous versions of Windows Live Messenger, where blocking a contact would prevent the "blockee" from sending the user any messages to the "blocker". With the "appear offline to" configuration currently implemented, "hidden from" users can still send "offline messages" to the target. This change has caused some uproar among users." As far as a setting for unavailable, I don't know but others that use that program may have more to offer.

have you tried this? 1. Sign off - You get the option to sign in again. Below that there is a link that says "Sign in with a different account or change your online status" 2. Click on that link - You get a pop up window that with fill-in boxes for your email address and password. Below that you have the option to set your Status to Appear Offline 3. Sign in - Your status will show you "offline"

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