WINXP, wireless Netgear. Internet access ok, mail does not work.

I have the above configuration. A desktop with WINXP and a Laptop with
WINXP. Both home editions.

I use cable by Comcast in MD.

On the desktop all works fine, Internet and mail. Using IE and OE6.x.
On the laptop I use the same, the exact same settings and can access the
web, but cannot get mail.

The router is also Netgear MR314.

When I try to send or receive mail on the laptop it immediately comes up
with:

Your server has unexpectedly terminated, possible network problems, long
inactivity etc etc. None of that is true and I can at this very same time or
thereafter access the mail OE on the despot.

I have checked the settings and they are the same for Mail in laptop and
desktop.

Any other ideas that may help to fix this? Both computers are in the same
room. Signal strength is 5 bars, the highest.