emma,

Ok, you appear to have tried all the normal remedies. I have reviewed the links wawaDave provided but did not see any solution. Since you are using a version of Windows earlier than XP, you can try a repair of IE/OE through the Add/Remove utility.
Go to Control panel…Add/Remove and double click on MS Internet Explorer and Tools. You should see an option to repair. Try the repair, then reboot. Since you stated in your last post that you had these problems before Avast, then I suspect strongly that one of your OE files has been corrupted or damaged.

Right now, we will continue to try and isolate the exact cause to minimize computer “messing”. (At least I’ll try. ???)

Technical is always teasing me about how fast I reply, but the truth is, that we are on opposite sides of the world and hours apart.

He is just as fast and knowlegeable as I.

Anyway, I will continue researching your OE problem. I seldom give up.

Get back to you when I have something positive.

Techie