Actually you are correct, MS is now charging to access Hotmail from Outlook and Outlook Express. What follows is a short cut and past from Woody's: There's an important change to Microsoft's Hotmail service coming which will effect people who use Hotmail with Outlook or Outlook Express. Outlook 2002 or 2003 and Outlook Express have a feature to let you receive and send email via your Hotmail account but using the software interface instead of the usual web browser method. This is a handy way to store past messages offline or to compose long messages. Setting it up is fairly easy, just create a new email account in the software and choose the 'HTTP' or Hotmail option. Though it is labeled 'HTTP' in the software it actually uses an extension of the web protocol called WebDAV to communicate with the Hotmail servers. From now on, only paid subscribers will be able to access their Hotmail accounts via Outlook or Outlook Express. Microsoft says that WebDAV features have been abused by spammers and they need to clamp down on access. Brad Loomis San Miguel, CA -----Original Message----- No, this means their mail servers are down for what ever reason. The Hotmail web interface is reporting "Server too busy" messages which are extremely unusual You will have to keep trying, until they get them working correctly again. Keep in mind, that with a free account MS has no responsibility, to you, to maintain your database. If the server gets wiped, and they can't restore it easily from a backup, then good luck getting your stored email back. Something to consider if this is your primary address. Especially so once the new 250 megabyte storage space takes effect. Rode The NOSPIN Group http://freepctech.com At 10:56 PM 9/29/2004, you wrote: >For the past six years, I have had a free hotmail account which I have >accessed through Outlook Explorer (I have Windows 98SE). >Tonight when I went into OE, I received the following message: >"Unable to poll for new messages on your HTTP server. Account: 'Hotmail', >Server: 'http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp', Protocol: >HTTPMail, Server Response: 'Access to Hotmail via Outlook and Outlook >Express now requires a subscription. Please sign up at ><http://upgrade.msn.com'>http://upgrade.msn.com', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): >No, Error Number: 0x80004005". The NOSPIN Group is now accepting donatations to continue providing PCSOFT and our website. Visit http://freepctech.com to donate using Paypal