Increase the timeouts in both Avast and Outlook and see if the problem is solved.
Also make sure that the Avast components have access through your firewall.
Please use the search option on this board.
A lot of questions have already been asked and answered here.
Blue, if you do not suceed, answer us which is your Windows? 98, Me, XP?
Do you use any other antivirus in your computer? And any spamkiller application?
Which accout server (e.g., @gmail.com) are you trying to use?
Are you talking about Outlook Express or full MS Outlook?