after recently applying the usual windows XP upgrades I now find that I cannot send hotmail messages...they time out. I got a new super spec HP laptop with all the bells and whistles and this should not be happening.

Is there a switch somewhere?...

jesus, this is tiresome...

Is Hotmail the only website you are having problems with?

First thing i would do is check your proxy settings. If you've been using a proxy server somewhere it's possible they've blocked access to hotmail. If you've changed the proxy IP then change it back to whatever it was. Same goes for your ISP, so check with them if there's anything wrong.

Other than that you might want to check for spyware/malware. Download Spybot and Adaware, run 'em and see what they come up with.

It may just be a problem with the Hotmail servers and you might find that the problem will clear by itself shortly. Good Luck.

Take a look at your firewall software and any spamware apps they would both allow you to access the hotmail server but if wrongly configured will stop you sending mail. What firewall you using the standard xp one?

Are you running Firefox?

For some reason, if you've switched over to their Live servers, it seems to only work nicely with Internet Explorer. (so I just use my Gmail).

Get yourself a Gmail account. PM me your email address and I'll send you an invite.

Your PC is broken. Looks like you will have to buy a new one. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

thanks for the suggestions...the hotmail is working OK now. Looks like I caught hotmail on two occasions when it was slow or not available and it appeared to coincide with intalling some MS upgrades...'s OK now...