Recently I have observed the following message, sometmes several copies, on my display:
Internet Connection
timeout elapsed. continue waiting?
Server: 'pop-server', port 110
Hi John, welcome to the boards.
You can extend the timeout duration within your email program, in OE I think it is 60 seconds by default.
It doesn't matter whether you connect by cable or dial-up if the mail server at your isp is down/busy, etc. for the timeout duration you get the warning.
Perhaps your email program is constantly checking for new mail, so it keeps checking the mail server, you could reduce the frequency you check for new mail.
Sending mail (via smtp port 25) could be successful, whilst receiving (pop3 port 110) mail may fail if the isp uses different mail servers for smtp and pop3.
David