0x800ccc19 error while recieving only email with Excel attachments

[humour]

I have a pop3 external email provider

I am baffled....
- I have uninstalled Mcafee and rebooted
- I have duplicated the problem on several pc's
- attachments of other file types work fine

I keep getting this error 0x800ccc19 during the reciept part.

I am going bonkers... any help appreciated.

 

[smah]

This error is one of several timeout errors that are almost always caused by virus scanners or software firewalls. It seems odd that it only happens with Excel attachments. Is it all Excel attachments? Does it happen if you send Excel attachements? Are you running a software firewall?

 

[humour]

It happens with all Excel attachments...

No firewall is on, I actually uninstalled Mcafee and removed or stopped related mcafee procesess like framework & mcshield etc...