Outlook is looking for a smart card

Dell computer with Windows 7 and Outlook 2003. I recently added a smart card reader to my computer for the National Guard so that I can access some military sites that require a smart card to log in. Now, every time Outlook attempts to download any mail from my civilian AT&T account (a pop e-mail server), I get a message asking me to "Insert a smart card". I've traced it to the send/receive feature (specifically receiving e-mails) but can find no reason that Outlook should be looking for a smart card.

Solution 1:

Have you tried this?

Navigate to Services.msc and check the settings for the smartcard service (try manual).

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/how-do-i-disable-the-insert-smart-card-dialog-that/d0800e92-ed5e-4b6f-b811-1f0e1d38572c

Solution 2:

I solved this by uninstalling all the Outlook specific updates and hiding them. Not ideal, but it solved the problem.