For second hand info, you posted better than most. There are a few things
that may be involved here.

If both computers are using the same e-mail address, on both machines:

Tools | Accounts | Mail | Properties | Advanced - Check: Leave a copy of
messages on the server.

Very important. On one machine only, check to Delete messages after X days
to assure the server does not get clogged up.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs, slows down sending and receiving, and
causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs, account setting changes
and has even been responsible for lose of messages. Your up-to-date A/V
program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

McAfee and Norton both cause havoc with Outlook Express. I would get rid of
it completely and get AVG *Free*.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
or:
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/40/lng/ww

When prompted, choose Custom Installation and *uncheck* e-mail scanning when
you see the option.

Norton, and McAfee, products are not Outlook Express friendly, and I don't
know of any OE-MVP that would recommend using them.

And also very important is the condition of the folders, especially the
Inbox.

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move your
mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

Boris wrote in message
...
This is for my in-laws, so the description of the problem is second hand.

They use SBCYahoo DSL and an SBC provided DSL modem. A Dlink wireless
router is connected to the modem. A desktop is wired to the router, and
a wireless laptop is also used. This was all set up about 10 weeks ago.
Both pcs use XPHome and OE. Both OEs are set to leave messages on the
SBCglobalnet server so they can download all messages from either pc.
They have not yet deleted any messages from the server.

Here's the problem:

Whenever they collect email on the laptop (I think it's only happening on
the laptop, I have to check with them), OE says downloading 1, 2, 3, etc.
messages of 300 (or more). The older messages are not actually
downloaded, only the new ones.

Could this be a corrupt .dbx file in OE on the laptop?

Is this peculiar to SBCYahoo DSL?

They also have their McAfee set to check outgoing email for viruses.
Could this be the problem. I'm grasping at straws at this point.

Thanks.