Where is my contact list???

Hello,
after being left no other choice i decided to download msn '09. however when i log in i don't see any contacts??? i can't add them because it says they are in my contact list and i can't import them coz it says they have already been imported??
i can see when people come online and they can talk to me but i can't see anyone?
gahh what is going onnn, i have a feeling that this all has something to do with me using a windows xp sp3...
plz help