Outlook Express strange behavoir

After getting an unable to connect error message, I checked my settings in tools-accounts-mail-properties-servers. I found that my settings were changed to incoming mail(pop3)-localhost and account name had changed to my name/pop3 server name.
Attempted solutions:
1 Changed pop3 server and account name to the proper settings. Outlook Express worked one time. The next time I used Outlook Express the settings had changed back to localhost and myname/pop3 server name.
2 Removed all accounts, created new account. Outlook Express worked one time. The next time I opened Outlook Express my settings had changed back to localhost and my name/pop3 server name.
3 Ran Internet Explorer repair tool. Results were the same.
4 Ran restore previous configuration and went back to IE 5.5, results were the same.
5 Reinstalled IE 6 from my back up copy, which wiped out sp1 and critical updates. Results were the same
6 Used windows update site, reinstalled sp1 and critical updates. Results were the same.

Prior to steps 3,4,5 & 6 I updated and ran AVG free virus scan, PC-cillin virus scan, ad aware 6 and spysweeper 2.6. Having deleted all my cookies prior to scanning, results of all scans were clean.

I was unable to find any information searching MSKB or at www.tomsteredam.com.
I have also checked my network and dsl modem settings, the correct settings are there and do not change.

 

Thanks Steve. I've started Outlook Express three times so far everything seems to be fine .