configuring Outlook 2003 for the first time on this computer with new email
account. I know my servers, login, etc... are correct. also know there is
no SSL or stuff like this with the email server. When i do the "test
message" option when in the setup, everything gets the green check except for
sending the actual test message. when i accept it anyway, i try sending a
real email from myself to myself. I get the send/recieve window and it shows
that it completes both the sending and receiveing yet the email is still in
the outbox. Ive tried remaking the message too but it will not leave the
mailbox. it will receive email though. Im lost on why it thinks its working
when it isnt.

also if it matters, im accessing through AOL

I know you said that it's a new setupl, but I've seen this with a
currupted PST file. You might try creating a new profile just to be
sure something didnt happen to it...