Assuming you are using Outlook 2003, have you checked the following?
* Select File. Is there a checkmark next to Work Offline? If yes, select
it to toggle Outlook back to online.
* What type of connections are you working with (Dailup, Broadband, .etc)?
Reason I ask here are there are multiple places to check in regards to how
Outlook 2003 uses a connection. For example, each mail account can be
configured to use a LAN/Dialup account (this is that more settings area when
defining the mail account) or you may find options at Tools | Options | Mail
Setup where Outlook may try hanging up an existing connection before moving
on to the next mail check.
