Help!

This problem started suddenly this morning and I am at wit's end.

Everything seems to be working normally in Outlook Express, EXCEPT receiving new mail.

When I click on Receive Mail, OE connects to the server, and the mail starts to download, but when it reaches the point where the mail message would appear in my Inbox, everything hangs, and I have to shut down OE the hard way.

I have tried rebooting, doing System Restores, and even just downloaded an update to OE.that I found. at Microsoft's Download site. I am aware I have an older version of OE, but cannot find a newer build or version at the stie or at Windows Update. I have also tried deleting the files in my Temporary Internet Files folder (not cookies), but when I try to delete Offline Content, that hangs as well.
My anti-virus program (Symantec) has E-mail Scanning DIsabled already.

I can send mail, I can download Newsgroup messages, and I can even receive mail using another program on my system, so it is obvioiusly something wrong with OE itself.

Any advice would be greatly and thankfully appreciated!!!!

Carol