I use Outlook 2002, which is linked to my Hotmail account.

Normally I can compile and send messages either through Outlook or via
Hotmail directly.

However, when I try to send a message from a website (e.g. an enquiry) by
clicking on the contact address on the website, a message is displayed saying
"Outlook - Starting Word as your e-mail editor" and a blank email form is
then displayed into which I type and send my message.

I could not understand why the enquiries were not being delivered. However,
I discovered that all such messages were stuck in the Outlook outbox. I then
have to go into Outlook and click on "send/receive" to ensure that the
messages are released from the outbox.

How can I ensure that my messages are sent automatically without having to
go through the above procedure?

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Thanks in anticipation.