Outlook 2003 & 2007 Pop3 Password retention issue

I have suddenly lost the ability to have outlook download messages from my pop3 and smtp provider servers.

It will consistently (every 5 min) request the password to connect to the servers.

I was using Outlook 2003 have gone to Outlook 2007 but still encounter the issue.
I have followed all the steps indicated in the MS Office library up to and including the deletion of the Registry Protected Storage System Provider subkey (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider (S-1-5-21-682003330-1979792683-725345543-1003).

Nothing has worked.

I am running XP pro at SP3 ver. 3311
Microsoft Office 2007
All updates applied
Using Norton 2009 A/V and AntiSpyware

Could someone pleasehelp?????