|HELP|
|My PC saves Avatars as ART or BMP - what is wrong?|

You are most likely using AOL. There is a build in graphic compression that causes this problem.
Follow those steps to save avatars in gif format again:
    
    1.  Go to My Aol at the Top of the browser 
    2.  Click on preferences 
    3.  Click on WWW (not Graphics) 
    4.  The Internet Options Window Opens up 
    5.  Click on Web Graphics 
    6.  Uncheck Use Compress Graphics 
    7.  Restart AOL