E-mail problems

[#1]

Doing a send/receive using Outlook I have, starting only today, received this error message:
Task 'Stephen - Receiving' reported error (0x8004210A) : 'The operation timed out waiting for a response from the receiving (POP) server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'
Anyone shed light on this please?

[#2]

Hiya,
Could you tell us what you are using as the incoming mail server?

[#3]

Try temporarily disabling your antivirus/Internet security software and see if that makes a difference...

[#4]

@James we use mail.plus.net  (in Outlook)
We use AVG antivirus which has worked happily with Outlook for over a year.

[#5]

Hi,
Using telnet from here shows there to be no current issues with our incoming mail server.
I'd definitely recommend trying to disable your AVG suite as a precaution.  Because something has worked in the past, doesn't mean it's not causing a problem and antivirus and firewall software is the number one culprit in making email stop working!
If that doesn't help, I'd strongly advise deleting and recreating the email account in Outlook.

[#6]

Now disabled AVG, but the error persists...Good day, but not for my Pc.  I'll delete and re-create the accounts.

[#7]

Deleted all m ail accounts. Re-created just one though.  Still the same error. Feel "naked"without anti virus!

[#8]

Thanks for that.  To check that POP3 is working on your computer...
- Open command prompt
- Type "telnet mail.plus.net 110"
- Hit enter
You should get a connected ok message of some kind.  If that's working, I'd look at installing thunderbird and seeing if you still get the same problem.  Outlook could be throwing a wobbly.
http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/products/thunderbird/

[#9]

If telnet works I suggest running Windows Update and checking if there were any automatic updates to Office 2003 since Outlook last worked. I received Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB959140) yesterday. In my case on XP Home SP3 with Avast antivirus and Comodo Firewall I've had no problems.
However if you had an update I suggest you try uninstalling it and see if the problem goes away. What to do after that depends on results.
David

[#10]

If you use automatic update it can sometimes be a pain and enable windows firewall all by it's self (especialy in Vista), check that it's off (or if you use it turn it off and get a real one).

[#11]

Hi James,  thankyou and thanks to everyone who responded. It turns out to be software corruption! Windows messenger got corrupted and interfered with Outlook. The net result was to format  C: and re-install. There also has been an error issue with Acronis that may have contributed to this.  Once again, thanyou all.

[#12]

Glad to hear it's all sorted!