It has not been irritating enough to get me to reinstall OE.

To reinstall OE, modify the "IsInstalled" value data to zero
and then connect to WU, according to the registry hack at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=318378

There are other things the KB says to try first, but that one
interests me, so for that reason and for your sake I'll try it
and see if I'm able to report back to this thread. If there are
any glitches or gotchas I will advise what to watch out for.

Since the absurd notice is occasional, I won't know for
sure when it departs that it won't occur. On the other hand,
if it occurs even once I will know that it is still there.

"Kate" wrote in message ...
snip
Briefly, I get the message that no connection to the internet is
available, but when I click "Retry", I get connected - hence my
ability to post. It is not a major problem, I know, but inconvenient
and - as Michael Jennings will no doubt agree - most irritating, and
an indication that something is wrong that needs putting right.

Thank you again for responding.
Kate