Try this: Start/Internet Explorer/Tools/Internet Options/
Programs/E-Mail....make certain Outlook Express has been selected.
Steve

Open Avast and look for E-Mail scanning option, see if you can turn it off and let us know if that helps.

I think Zep is on the right track. Evidently your Avast is now scanning outgoing e-mails, and that is causing a big slowdown.
I accidentally had mine set to do that at one time, and had the same problem.

Open your Avast and click on Mail Shield. Then make sure "scan outbound messages" is NOT checked.

I was sure keeping my fingers crossed when I unchecked the out going mail in the Mail Shield of Avast but it didn't seem to correct the problem. I appreciate you trying to help Zep.

Outlook Express is selected esteban. But thank you for you suggestion.

My DH has his own computer so I "send" to his as a trial after trying different things to fix this problem. Strange thing is, I can usually send one email to him and it will go over like it should. If I try a second one, it will show "sending" until a time out occurs with my server. Showing Error #0x800CCC19. Happens everytime. I've tried extending the time for email to send before timeing out, that doesn't help. My computer wise friend told me that the settings may just need tweaking in the Avast program. I've tweaked all I can find to tweak with no cure as of yet. It's very frustrating. I've used the Avast Free version for a year without any trouble, then I pay for the Avast Internet Security and I can't successfully send out emails now. ack! I'm considering uninstalling the Avast Internet Security AV program and just downloading the Free version and I guess I'll just be out the money I've paid for the upgrade. I don't know where else to turn.

Microsoft are aware of the problem and suggest you contact the anti virus vendor.

Personally I would remove the program and as you yourself suggest, either install the free version or use something like Microsoft Security Essentials or one of many other good, free programs.

I have decided to remove the Avast Internet Security AV and reinstall their free program. I'd like to have the extra security but if I can't use my OE with the upgrade, I don't want it. I disabled it this morning and my OE worked fine so no question it is 'this' AV upgrade that is causing the trouble. Thanks so much for your help and suggestions everyone. I appreciate it.

I would contact AVAST and let them know of the problem. Perhaps they would be willing to refund your money. Just be sure that you have a good firewall and malware protection, including SpywareBlaster and Malwarebytes, and also Superantispyware. Those should serve you well along with the AVAST antivirus free.

Good news! Our server sent out a tech this morning. Not for this particular problem but because we were having issues with our phone as well as our internet. They could see it when we called in for them to trouble shoot a day after my Avast install. The two are not related. But, while the young man was here, he went into the Mail Shield and found where the port sizes/numbers weren't corresponding with what our server shows they should be so he changed them and that fixed the outgoing mail issue immediately. I could have hugged his neck! I was doing the happy dance. My DH and I had discovered that the port numbers were considerably higher than what his Avast showed to be on his but I thought maybe it was because my computer is considered the primary one. I had no clue and sure didn't have the nerve to change them. But that's what was needed. Hopefully if this comes up for another Avast user/downloader, you will be able to help them trouble shoot. Again, thanks so much for your advice and help.

Happy for you. Yippee!