Messenger has encountered a problem

Several days ago after installing the new updates,
messenger started crashing with this message...
Messenger has encountered a problem and needs to close...
AppName:msmsgs.exe AppVer:5.0.0.482 ModName:rtcdll.dll
ModVer:5.2.4949.1001 Offset:00070f54

I have installed the latest messenger version as
recommended. The issue is not just this error but the
fact that Outlook Express tries to download mail but it
never makes it through. There is something that is
causing it to lock-up. Any ideas? I can get the error
to stop popping up by running the info on the first part
of support document 318378 which scans the protected
files. This has allowed me to sometimes get mail through
but not always. I would appreciate any insight as I am
running out of patience!