Socket error 10060

This problem is on a XP host direct wire network to a win98fe client. That's
the reason for the crosspost. Anywho...
The network works fine. The ISC works pretty fine. The only problem occurs
when there is no internet (dialup) connection on either machine. Outlook
Express is open on the win98 client and it attempts a send and receive but
must first establish a connection. The ICS connects through the host and
eventually connects to the internet. *In the mean time, this error message
appears:*
"The connection to the server has failed. Account '{username}' server
POP.CECNET.net Protocol: POP3 Port 110 Secure SSL NO Socket error 10060
Error Number 0x800CCCOE."
The thing is, the client is connected and if I X away the error message and
click send/receive OE works fine, sending/receiving emails. The only real
problem is the error message. I've tried increasing the timeout timer (OE,
tools, accounts, mail, {username}, properties, advanced, server timeouts
from 30 sec to 90 secs on both machines, but that didn't help. I really
don't know if this is a host setting problem, or a client setting problem.
I have googled the error numbers and searched the MSKB but could find no
relevance with a network setup as mine. Thank you for any help offered.

Steve
southiowa