I can't receive mail on my laptop in Outllook 2003 . [Settings are identical to my PC which does work]. When send and receive button is pressed, if there is outgoing mail it will be sent [and arrives at destination] however nothing else happen. Early days I did once get a message about '... layer.. missing', but I've not been able to recreate this message.
Or another time 503error - I think.I followed up all the 503 error posted responses I could find but to no avail.

Have you double checked your account settings? Make sure the correct mail servers are used.

Yes & account settings 'work. But if I go to mail set up/send/receive & press send receive there is no response and the 'Send / Receive Groups box does not come up.

Try reinstalling Office.

Have tried that one - with success.
Thanks for the suggestion though.