Q I am using a notebook computer with Microsoft Outlook 2003.

I am using a dial-up internet connection with and I have no problem sending or receiving emails, but when I wish to go online I get the message “Cannot find server”. I cannot update AVG Anti Virus either as the computer gives me the same message.
Lionel Howe

A What appears to be happening is that Outlook isn’t automatically dialling your internet connection when it wants to send and receive mail, and the same thing is happening to AVG. Both programs assume that the computer is already online, so when they try to connect the connection fails, and the “Cannot find server” message is displayed.

To fix it, open Internet Explorer and click the Tools menu, then select Internet Options (you need to do this in Internet Explorer even if you are using Firefox or Opera as your browser).

Click the Connections tab, then select the name of your dial-up internet connection from the list in the box. Click the Set Default button, and make sure the box marked ‘Always dial my default connection’ is ticked.

Then click OK and close Internet Explorer. Now open Outlook and click the Tools menu, then E-mail Accounts. Select the box marked ‘View or change existing e-mail accounts’ and click Next.

Choose your mail account from the list and click Change, then click More Settings.

Click the Connection tab, and choose ‘Connect using Internet Explorer’s or a third party dialer’, then click OK.