The user dictionary is there, and has the entries I've been adding either directly or from when I'm entering text. In the settings you suggested, I've tried all 5 of the settings and nothing makes a difference.
I hope it did upgrade properly to 2.3 and you don't have to try a Factory Reset (which you should have done after installing 2.3 in order to remove any user settings from 2.1)
Are you using the default messaging app or are you using something else like Handcent?
If using the default, open a text message, click in the field where you enter text and when it brings up the keyboard, click on the wrench icon at the bottom between the period and the Enter (carriage return)
Are the settings all correct? All exactly the same? Make sure you have a writing language set to English, under Quick Text, check both boxes, under Word Suggestions, chose Word Suggestions only.
Then after that, restart the phone and try again.
If the problem persists, and it is a big deal...and you can't find another app that does what you want, I would suggest a Factory Reset, something might not have gone properly during the upgrade.
Factory Reset and Unmount and erase all data on the SDCard....in order to make sure any settings from 2.1 are gone and to reset permissions/rights on the SDCard from any apps you had under the old 2.1
It is recommended you do that after an upgrade from 2.1 to 2.3, but few people do it....unless they run into rights issues or default apps acting up.
