[Wine] steam friends problem

[yoma819]

i have installed wine with no problem i have also installed steam and as a result downloaded and played half life 1 etc with no problem
the onyl issue i have is that when i try to chat to a friend i type a 
message and click send in the built in steam instant messenger but it does not send
the message dissapears but it is not sent
can anyone help?
thanks 
--yoma