McAfee Firewall was the problem.............that is after many phone calls to Dell and my server and finally to Microsoft. McAfee has a software glitch that blocks access to the internet for Outlook Express. After I changed that setting everything works just fine.
OMG, please tell me what setting you changed!! My Outlook Express has been non-functioning for months, despite my best efforts, AND I have McAfee!!

There is a glimmer of hope!!!!