In offline mode, cannot connect or exit offline mode

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I have Outlook 2002 SP3 running under XP connected to Hotmail. Somehow I've
got into a state where I am not connected to Hotmail and I'm in offline mode.
When I start Outlook, the normal panel that allows me to enter user ID and
password doesn't come up, so I can't connect. But if I try to get out of
offline mode, I get the message "Access to the account was denied. Verify
that your username and password are correct. The server responded
'Forbidden'." Outlook continues to function normally in offline mode only,
and I can access my Hotmail account direct as usual. I have tried deleting
and re-entering my account in the Tools / E-Mail Accounts dialog, both within
Outlook and via Settings / Control Panel / Mail with Outlook shut down, both
without success. Until I got into this situation, I had been running Outlook
for several years without problems, and I have not changed anything else.
Any ideas how I can get out of this lock ? Thanks in advance.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

See http://www.howto-outlook.com/news/hotmailaccessforbidden.htm

 

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Roady:

Thank you - this appears to have worked, although I have lost some folders
as a result, but nothing serious, fortunately. I've had the same problem
once before, not connected to the September 1 change, and I was somehow able
to extract myself that time, though I can't remember how - much more
difficult this time. Much appreciate your assistance.

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