Hi Evan,
Thank you very much for your response! Yes, you are right in your understanding of my problem. I have already tried the items you suggested (several times), except for creating a new profile, which I have considered but have concerns about it screwing up my Outlook files,settings, losing email, etc. so I have questions for you regarding that. First let me say that I have tried the Repair wizard in Outlook at least twice and the Autodiscover with the RCA but do not recall errors nor save any reports from either.
I would first like to try creating a new profile but want to ask how I ensure that 1) I will not lose access to any of my email, archives, calendar, tasks, contacts, etc. and 2) that my desktop Outlook 2010 will use my local pst/ost files and not try to download my entire online 2GB store of email on the server, (which I had happen in the past, but which is very impractical since I only have a limited internet data connection through cellular modem since I live in a rural area.)
I will follow the process as you describe and in the MS kb article, but can you please tell me how to avoid the problems outlined above? I look forward to your reply and greatly appreciate your assistance.
Thank you and best regards,
Ken