downloaded the test release. went to xchat tab. clicked on address book icon. right click on adress, copy public key. Key not found. I made a new address, same error when getting public key. will try on different machine
That's not an error. The wallet does not store other people's public keys. It only stores yours.
The only time it'll store another person's public key is if its chat.dat has a conversation with that person in it.
Try asking whoever you're trying to message for their public key again.
These are my addresses. I figured out the issue, wallet had to be unlocked