BUMP FOR UPDATED HOWTO
So, it appears to me at least that the recent builds of xchat from silverex broke a couple of things, namely the tray icon, when it started being built-in to the main program. In light of this, go to the downloads page on silverex.org and click on archive, and get version 2.6.8-1.
Obviously run the installer, I’d recommend a normal installation with the default options unless you’re a scripting junkie.
Once that gets installed, run xchat.
You should see a network list window. First off, fill out the name boxes as you would prefer. Then next to networks click add.
Name the new channel GameSurge or whatever you prefer to remember it by, then click off of it to make the name change take effect. Now click it and then click edit.
click on the server thing that says newserver/6667.
If you are ON CAMPUS AT WCU, we have the main port (6667) blocked. To get around it, use “irc.gamesurge.net/6668”
If you are not on campus, then feel free to try “irc.gamesurge.net/6667”. If that doesn’t work, follow the same instructions as on-campus WCU students.
If you want xchat to connect automatically when you start it, then select “Auto connect to…”
Under channels to join, type #wcugaming (add any other channels separated by a comma (and only a comma, no spaces). Click close on that window.
In order to authenticate your account so that other people can’t steal your name, and so you can get better permissions on our channel, you can register for free at http://gamesurge.net/createaccount/. This will send a randomly generated password. We’ll change that in a second…
Going back to the network list now…
If you set up xchat to automatically connect when you start it, then you may want to skip the network list in the future. If that is the case, then select “Skip network list…”
make sure GameSurge is highlighted and click connect.
first things first, you probably want to change your automatically generated password. in the bottom center box, click in it to type. before you can change it you need to log in. to do this type “/authserv auth <name> <password>” (without the < >). it should send you a message saying “I recognize you”. now to change your password type “/authserv pass <oldpassword> <newpassword>” (without the < >). it should send you a message saying “password changed”.
If you want xchat to automatically log you in when you connect then in the menu bar click on XChat, then Network List. Highlight GameSurge and click edit. in the connect command box, type “/authserv auth <name> <password>” (without the < >). Then click close, and close again on the network list. this will take effect the next time you start xchat.
NOTE: yes there are server password and nickserv password boxes, gamesurge doesn’t use those to my knowledge.
If you didn’t set it up to automatically connect you to #wcugaming, then in the bottom middle box type “/join #wcugaming”.
Then in the bottom middle box type away to send messages to anyone listening 
(bonus: type “/me <action>” to send a message saying you are doing something instead of just straight conversation.)