Robert, Carol and All, Thanks for the rescue!!! I went to tools/message rules/blocked senders list..highlighted each blocked sender and clicked "remove" and...voila!! I am back in business...thanks to you!! Everything is so easy.. when you know how : ) Now, about all of the different OE numbers you were all discussing...I checked and I have Microsoft OE5. It was already installed on my HP Pavillion that I bought this last January. Do you think I should upgrade to the 5.01 you are talking about? Or do I even dare attempt this? : ) Thanks so much for all of your help...it was certainly much needed...and appreciated!! Kathy