Python installation breaks Outlook Express

[M. Laymon]

I just installed Python 2.3.3 under Windows XP professional.   After I
did, my wife tried to access her email using Outlook Express and got
the error messages:

Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible
causes for 
this include server problems, network problems, or a long period of
inactivity. 
Account: 'incoming.verizon.net', Server: 'outgoing.verizon.net', 
Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800CCC0F

Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible
causes for this 
include server problems, network problems, or a long period of
inactivity. 
Account: 'incoming.verizon.net', Server: 'incoming.verizon.net',
Protocol: POP3, 
Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800CCC0F

 (No comments about Outlook, please.I have tried to get her to use a
different email program, but she likes Outlook.)   I checked the
settings, then recreated her account in Outlook, but nothing worked.
My Mozilla Thunderbird email client worked fine.

Since the only thing I had done recently was to install Python.  I
used system restore to go back to the point before installing Python.
After I did, Outlook started working again.  Has anyone else seen this
behavior ?

Thanks.

M. Laymon