Windows XP Pro computer attached to internet through belkin ADSL router. Office XP Professional.
After computer running OK for 3 months, messages began getting stuck in outbox. Receiving email still works fine. Outlook reports errors such as:
Task – Sending ‘ reported error (0x8004210B): The operation timed out waiting for a response from the sending (SMTP) server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).
-or-
Task Sending and Receiving’ reported error (0x800CCC0B): ‘Unknown Error 0x800CCC0B’
– or-
Task – Sending ‘ reported error (0x8004210B): The operation timed out waiting for a response from the sending (SMTP) server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).
These errors are described by a kb article, but my SMTP server does not require SSL or SPA so this article is not relevant.
Outlook express however can send email no problem to the same server.
Panda Platinum (AV+firewall) disabled throughout.
Have tried the following : Deleting and re-creating outlook accounts; deleting and re-creating mail profile; complete uninstall and reinstall of office; uninstall of Panda; complete uninstall and installation of office 2003.
At my wits end I then reinstalled windows XP from scratch which fixed the problem.
Three weeks later, the issue appears again. I am now tearing my hair out! I cannot keep reinstalling windows every few weeks to keep the outlook working – there is 100GB of data on the machine that I need to back up each time!
When trying to use office update, the first screen of the wizard is displayed, and it is necessary to press ‘next’ about 100 times to get to the next screen. Updates can then be downloaded but the installation fails every time. Not sure whether this symptom is related..
Please help!!