yes tryed all them things, switching off all fire walls, extending the server time. its strange because it send emails fine using that account. maybe i should contact the provider, I wonder if there is a way to re-instal windows mail on vista that might kick it it.

It may seem like a really silly thing but double check and then re-check again all of the account settings and passwords on that mail app.

yes just entered a new mail account using the name details typed in and get the same message on recieve. Its ultra odd because my laptop is right next to it and is pulling the email down fine on exactly the same account, its even sharing the same wireless hub. Would a re-install be the way out? Ive never done one on vista, pc world never give me the cd!?

my

my provider said their server went down the day I stopped getting emails. Now its back up and running and should be getting them like I do on my other machines. So they say its the machines fault.

I hunted around a bit on this one for you...some more things to try.

In Mail.
Click Tools >> Options >. Click on Connections Tab and make sure these
settings correct:
Dial-Up
[ ] Ask before switching dial-up connections

Click on Settings for the connection and make sure the correct connection
(Default ) is selected .

again Click Tools >> Accounts >> Click on Servers Tab and make sure this
option not selected:
[ ] log on using Secure Password Authentication.

Click on Connection Tab and check this check box:
[ ] Always connect to this account using:
[ Local Area Network ][v]

Click [OK] to close and open a Run Command and type these command:
ipconfig /flushdns click [OK]
ipconfig /renew click [OK]
netsh winsock reset click [OK]
Reboot your machine

Come back after these....