Outlook Connectivity Problems

I bought a new desktop PC, and I am trying to set up my Cox email addresses in IMAP format through Outlook. They won't sync. Every time I try, I get the error that there is no encrypted connection available, and then Outlook sets them up as POP accounts, which is useless. I need the ability to sync over multiple machines. I called support, and they escalated me to Tier II. That person told me that this is a known issue, and that Cox has been working on it for several weeks. Several weeks? Really???? I have tried manually setting the connection, with the help of Tier II support. No luck. Tier II had me send emails to myself, which did not go through. Tier II also said it is intermittent, and to try again "in a few minutes". Well, I have been trying to set these accounts up for most of the last 4 hours. That is not my definition of intermittent. This is a real joke. All I have gotten for my trouble is a $25 bill credit. I would much rather have the email work. I am just about ready to call Century Link or Hughes Net. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Anyone have a solution? Thanks.