Cannot send in OE6..Help!~

I "downloaded a patch from MSN" from my email. THEN, i read that MSN does not send downloads by email. . I am WINXP, OE6 on a Dell laptop Ispiron 4000.
I cannot send, reply or forward. I CAN receive.
. I have uninstalled and re my McAfee virus and privacy. Doesn't matter. I have changed identities,moved and added my email. Pop3 with params of 25 and 110. the incoming and outgoing are entered correctly.

When I hit send, reply or forward...the email goes to OUTBOX. In order to do anything else I must knock down the" Your SMTP has not responded in 60 secs..." box ; do cntrl alt del , close OE, then open it and delete the email out of the outbox.

 

Here are two links to try and help you out. You got a virus.

Thread

Symantec

 

I am going to ask my computer geek to read the Virus removal info suggested. Thanks alot.
I also went to Microsoft and ran the ie6setup as it was a critical update.
SOMEHOW, I am able to send and reply and forward!! After 8 weeks of frustration and days of trials. I don't know how the update changed anything but, I would say....it did. I don't trust it as it has cleared up for a few hours before and then goes right back to same complaint.
I'll let ya know.
Patti