"brett" <account@cygen.com> wrote in message
news:1136403205.312338.205850@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I use Outlook Express to check email on my POP account. I put my
> computer in sleep before leaving for work. OE is still open when the
> computer goes into sleep. The problem is that I can't check the same
> POP email at work. I get a "Can't get lock. Mail box in use" error.
> My mail provider said this is caused if two applications try to check
> the mail box.
>
> That makes sense because I leave OE open at home and it polls the box
> every 5 minutes. However, the machine is in sleep. Can OE still poll?
>
> When I get home, none of that day's email has downloaded. Once the
> first email poll occurs after the computer wakes, the email is
> downloaded. I let OE at home and work keep email on the server for 6
> six days so I can grab it from different locations.
>
> Thanks,
> Brett
>

I assume that by "sleep", you mean that Windows has simply shut down with
the workspace intact as you left it. But, it *is* off, right? No fans, no
disks spinning? If that's correct, have you stuck around for more than one
or two 5-minute cycles to see if the machine lights up to check email?