Check the following, and then try connecting to the news server again

There might be a problem with one or more of the advanced settings for your news servers. These settings are given to you by your Internet service provider (ISP).

Check the server advanced settings

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.

2. Click the news server, and then click Properties.

3. On the Advanced tab, check the following:
• Does the port number match the number issued to you by your ISP? Most ISPs use port 119.

• Is the server timeout set to Short?

  Some servers might take longer to make a connection. To allow more time for your computer to make the connection, move the slider toward Long.

4. Click OK to close the dialog boxes.

5. In the folder list, click the server, and then click the News groups button on the toolbar to view the newsgroups.

Did this fix the problem?