[tomshawk]

This is what I use

find

			<if condition="$show['pmstats']"><br /><phrase 1="$vbphrase[unread_x_nav_compiled]" 2="$vbphrase[total_x_nav_compiled]" 3="$session[sessionurl]">$vbphrase[private_messages_nav]</phrase></if>

then place this after it

<if condition="$bbuserinfo[pmunread] == 0"> 
<img src="http://www.yourwebsite.com/forums/images/misc/pmoff.gif"> 
<else /> 
<img src="http://www.yourwebsite.com/forums/images/misc/pmon.gif"> 
</if>

Then just upload your images to the misc folder.
pmoff
pmon
the pmon is animated, so it gets your attention.