Losing the 'User Info' box

[Spyce]

I'm not exactly sure where this belongs. If I have placed it in the wrong forum, I apologize.

I'm trying to get rid of that hideous 'User Info' box at the top of my forum (http://www.himfinland.net/forum/index.php [nofollow]) and have it be replaced by a simple button along the top (where profile, help, logout, etc. are). What I'm looking for is something that, when a user has a new PM, this image will show up (http://www.himfinland.net/forum/Themes/default/images/english/new_pm.gif [nofollow]). Otherwise, it'll just be the default image (http://www.himfinland.net/forum/Themes/default/images/english/pm.gif [nofollow]). I've attempted just about every combination of if, elseif, and else statements possible, but nothing seems to work.

Does anybody have any ideas about what may work? Thanks.