fails to send, multilple outlook process open

My outlook 2000 running under xp has been failing to send
(I have send immediately as my option) some e-mails that
originate by clicking on a mailto link. Then the
application itself won't open up when I click on it. When
I open the task manager, many outlook processes will be
listed. Sometimes after closing some, outlook will
suddenly open. Anyone have any suggestions? And should any
outlook process continue after a e-mail has been sent?