Most of the time, the error indicates problems on MSN/Hotmail's end (despite what they may say). Here are some things you can check in the meantime:

Make certain your time, date, and /time zone/ settings are correct.

IE ToolsInternet OptionsPrivacySites type in

hotmail.com
(live.com)
(msn.com)
(passport.net)

and Allow All Cookies for each domain.

How to Manage Cookies (IE6)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283185

Troubleshooting Secure Sites in WinXP SP2
(Hotmail and .NET Passport should be treated as Secure Sites)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=870700

Temporarily disable your third-party firewall (and enabling the Windows Firewall), any "system" tools (NSW, NIS, anything by Norton or McAfee) and pop-up/ad blockers to see if they're interfering.

If you use a router, you may need to adjust MTU values: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315008

IE ToolsInternet OptionsAdvancedHTTP 1.1toggle on/off; "Use HTTP 1.1 through proxy connections" must *not* be checked.

IE ToolsInternet OptionsSecurity[zone in OE runs; should be Restricted Sites]Custom LevelUser AuthenticationLogontoggle between the setting choices here ['Prompt for Username and Password' and 'Automatic...current Username...' works for me.]

Resetting either or both of the above Tabs to the defaults might help, too.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Security, Shell/User)


HonoredWriter wrote:

I receive the following error message when I try to download messages from
Hotmail
[Unable to poll for new messages on your HTTP server. Account: 'Hotmail',
Server: 'http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp', Protocol:
HTTPMail, Server Response: 'Redirected', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): No, Socket
Error: 122, Error Number: 0x80004005]
It worked fine yesterday but it does do a thing today. Can anyone lead me in
the right direction?