The famous ‘red X’ in microsoft Outlook 2003

If I receive an email on my laptop with an embedded picture all I get is the outline and the (in)famous ‘red X’. When I right click in the box I do not see the “right click here to download picture” option. If a receive the same email on my desktop, which is also XP and outlook 2003 I can see the picture immediately.
If I forward the mail form the laptop to my desktop,it shows the missing picture occasionally on the laptop. Yet when I receive it on my desktop it shows immediately.
I have tried all the standard solutions to no avail. Help!!!