Outlook Express SMTP problem with attachments

I'm having problems sending attachments with outlook express. I know it isnt the SMTP server itself as i can send relativly big attachments off another computer with the same SMTP.
If i send an email without attachment it goes through without any problems, however, as soon as i attach a file (no matter how small) the smtp server stops responding and the email is unsent. I've checked if it was norton anti-virus (which i run) and it cant be that. I've also extended the time-out time to about 3minutes but still isnt that. SSL is off. Outgoing authentication is off.

I have no idea what to do besides uninstalling outlook express and re-installing it although i'm wary about that, dont want to lose all my emails etc....

If any1 can help it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

Hey thanks petec I'm glad i found this forum looks pretty good. I'm running Outlook Express 6 specific version is 6.00.2800.1123 build. This all running on Windows XP with SP1.

I checked my router and it's not a problem as the linux machine can send emails with big attachments fine. I've tried breaking apart messages and even port-forwarding but whenever i send off this outlook express i am using it hangs the SMTP. I am at a loss of what to do except uninstall and start over.

With regard to the threads you gave me (Petec) i have checked them but nothing works. The other thread
Attachment Thread you specified also does not solve my problem. I am using Norton Antivirus 2004 but have disabled all email features on it.

... I am at a loss
Any assistance appreciated

 

Hey Pete , thanks for the prompt reply, please forgive me for taking so long to reply, i had problems firstly imputting the text into this post as the browser kept timing out for some reason and firefox kept giving me the error : "The Document contains no data "

I tried the sfc scan but nothing interesting came out except a message stating unable to start Dcom server.

This is the email message i receive just for further reference:
Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible causes for this include server problems, network problems, or a long period of inactivity. Subject 'Re: About a template', Account: 'ColdFlame - Mail', Server: 'smtp.isdsl.net', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10053, Error Number: 0x800CCC0F

Please let me know if u got any other ideas
Much appreicated.