OE 6 can't keep a connection

I keep trying to connect to Outlook Express, but I keep getting the same message, "Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible causes for this include server problems, network problems, or a long period of inactivity. Account: 'mail.netins.net', Server: 'mail.netins.net', Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800CCC0F". It started doing this a couple of weeks ago. I have called my ISP five times and the techs there repeatedly give me the same advice after they attempt to walk me through all the steps that they feel should rectify the problem...and that is to take the computer to a repair shop.
I can't keep a connection long enough to either send or to receive e-mail messages.
I have a Yahoo mail account and am able to receive and send e-mail there and I am able to get and keep my IE connection.
Does this make any sense to anyone?
I have run all kinds of spyware and it all says my system is virus free.
Can anyone help me?
Thank you,
Helen65

What antivirus and firewall products are you using?

Some Norton and MacAfee products have been known to cause this connection issue.

Temporarily disable your firewall and see if it fixes the problem.

I have also been getting this message lately. For me, it is only when I try and receive emails from my mail box. The Outlook Express POP3.log seems to be truncated (see below). Has there been an automatic update or something recently within the last week - 10 days or so that has caused this? I have stopped (free) Zone Alarm firewall and tried again, but still gets same message. I can access the email via the web portal, and very occasionally I do get the first email downloaded but something seems to stop OE from continuing.... The log seems to indicate that it gets to the same place each time and then bombs out, so I think it is an OE problem perhaps.... what does anyone else think?

Thanks,
Paul
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POP3.log as follows - if you look at the time, you can see where one finishes and the next attempt begins.

Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2869 (xpsp_sp2_gdr.060316-1512)
POP3 Log started at 05/25/2006 18:00:25
POP3: 18:00:26 [rx] +OK Hello there.
POP3: 18:00:26 [tx] USER [email protected]
POP3: 18:00:27 [rx] +OK Password required.
POP3: 18:00:27 [tx] PASS ************
POP3: 18:00:27 [rx] +OK logged in.
POP3: 18:00:27 [tx] STAT
POP3: 18:00:27 [rx] +OK 1 3466
POP3: 18:00:27 [tx] LIST
POP3: 18:00:28 [rx] +OK POP3 clients that break here, they violate STD53.
POP3: 18:00:28 [rx] 1 3466
POP3: 18:00:28 [rx] .
POP3: 18:00:28 [tx] RETR 1
POP3: 18:05:30 [rx] +OK Hello there.
POP3: 18:05:30 [tx] USER [email protected]
POP3: 18:05:30 [rx] +OK Password required.
POP3: 18:05:30 [tx] PASS ************
POP3: 18:05:31 [rx] +OK logged in.
POP3: 18:05:31 [tx] STAT
POP3: 18:05:31 [rx] +OK 1 3466
POP3: 18:05:31 [tx] LIST
POP3: 18:05:31 [rx] +OK POP3 clients that break here, they violate STD53.
POP3: 18:05:31 [rx] 1 3466
POP3: 18:05:31 [rx] .
POP3: 18:05:31 [tx] RETR 1
POP3: 18:05:32 [rx] +OK 3466 octets follow.
POP3: 18:10:33 [rx] +OK Hello there.
POP3: 18:10:33 [tx] USER [email protected]
POP3: 18:10:34 [rx] +OK Password required.
POP3: 18:10:34 [tx] PASS ************
POP3: 18:10:34 [rx] +OK logged in.
POP3: 18:10:34 [tx] STAT
POP3: 18:10:35 [rx] +OK 1 3466
POP3: 18:10:35 [tx] LIST
POP3: 18:10:35 [rx] +OK POP3 clients that break here, they violate STD53.
POP3: 18:10:35 [rx] 1 3466
POP3: 18:10:35 [rx] .
POP3: 18:10:35 [tx] RETR 1
POP3: 18:10:35 [rx] +OK 3466 octets follow.
POP3: 18:15:37 [rx] +OK Hello there.
etc.....