Outlook express suddenly won't access my gmail

[Drd]

Hello: I use XP with service pack 3 and Outlook Express as my email.  My email address is at gmail and the way I set it up when I first got it, way back when gmail first started, was that when I checked my OE mail, it automatically pulls down (or whatever you call it) my new email from gmail.  For the past three days, however, this isn't happening.  My OE automatically keeps checking and I get the message that my POP is not responding--wait or cancel.  If I choose wait, nothing  happens, except that I get another message later, over and over. 

  I haven't changed any settings or anything. What can I do about this to get my email coming back to me automatically? I can go to the gmail site with no problem and see and respond to my mail but I like to have it in my OE so I can deal with it offline as I get a lot of mail.

Thanks for your help.

[Random Diva]

I take it you've checked your gmail settings?  Sometimes these things change without warning.  Just a thought.
Lorri.

[Drd]

Lorri: This probably sounds dumb  but what should I check and where? Do you mean checking the settings in the gmail itself, or in the OE?

Thanks

DrD

[Drd]

Anyway, I checked my settings in the gmail program. Both POP downloading and IMAP access are enabled.  The message I keep getting is: Your POP 3 server has not responded in 60 seconds. Would you like to wait another 60 seconds? I have an ADSL so there really shouldn't be a slow connection or response....

Any ideas?

Thanks

Dr.D.

[ale52]

Sometimes it's not on your end that's the problem.  AT&T is famous for making changes then retroactively fixing what they broke.  Can you contact gmail support?

Alan <>< 

[patio]

What are your current POP and SMTP settings on the gmail account ? ?

[Drd]

Settings

    * General
    * Accounts
    * Labels
    * Filters
    * Forwarding and POP/IMAP

Setting    Choices
Forwarding:    Disable forwarding
Forward a copy of incoming mail to and
POP Download:
Learn more    1. Status: POP is enabled for all mail that has arrived since 9/18/08
Enable POP for all mail (even mail that's already been downloaded)
Enable POP only for mail that arrives from now on
Disable POP

2. When messages are accessed with POP

3. Configure your email client (e.g. Outlook, Eudora, Netscape Mail)
   Configuration instructions
IMAP Access:
(access Gmail from other clients using IMAP)
Learn more    1. Status: IMAP is enabled
Enable IMAP
Disable IMAP

2. Configure your email client (e.g. Outlook, Thunderbird, iPhone)
   Configuration instructions

is this what you mean?

DrD

[Drd]

Hi: this fixed itself! Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

Dr. D