Can't Access Exchange Server in Outlook 2003

[Diane]

I just purchased a new pc with Window XP Pro and Office
2003. I work from home and require access to my work
mailbox.

I can access my work intranet, but have not been even
able to even open outlook.

I added the appropriate DNS servers in my network
connections but I keep getting a message from outlook
that says "The action could not be completed. The
connection to the ms exchange server is unavailable.
Outlook must be online or connected to complete this
action."

When I close I also get this message: "The connection to
the ms exchange server is unavailable. Outlook must be
online or connected to complete this action."

I called my work helpdesk but they have been unable to
help and do not yet support outlook 2003.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Entei]

You may try to ping the name of your exchage server. If you can't ge
any reply from exchange server, you may have to edit the host file
Good luck

 

[Diane]

I did ping the name of my exchange server and it worked
fine.

However, the outlook e-mail account still is not
recognizing my server or my user id.