My Outlook Express will only send  messages or recive new messages only after shutting down the computer and restarting it. then it will some times send one or two e mails out then show an error, and the only way I have found to make it work for a little while is to restart the computer. and also when I try to shut down the normal way it freezes up and I have to press the power button every time.
Running Windows 98-2   Outlook Express 6

What version of Windows are you using please?

   He said in his first post that he is running Windows 98-2

Thanks Ray, missed that.

Crowcall, go to Start/Settings/Control Panel, add/remove Programs, locate Microsoft Internet Explorer of whatever version and Internet Tools, highlight it, click on Add/Remove and select the option to repair, follow that prompts agreeing to everything.

After you computer reboots try Outlook Express again