Thanks PA Bear. The problem doesn't seem to be authentication, because after
the error message on startup, OE seems to continue running normally. I can
send and receive email from both POP and Hotmail accounts.

I'm trying to figure out whether this problem is related to another one I'm
having with msimn.exe crashing (also posted in this newsgroup:
http://tinyurl.com/y6g6jw).



"PA Bear" wrote in message
...
Authentication fails when you use Outlook or Outlook Express to try to log
on to a HTTP-based mail server if you use Internet Explorer version 7.0:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/904942

Otherwise, the problem's on MSN/Hotmail's end. Until they automagically
clear up (hours/days/weeks...), access the account at www.hotmail.com.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)