major problem with password protected pages

i am amazed at the error i am getting when i type in the password on a password protected page –

POP3 quit: connection does not exist

in wp-pass.php

but i have never ( and dont ever ) set up anything to do with email – ( other than give the email address when i set up the blog )

has anyone any suggestions – ( i have checked all the email settings but like i said i dont use them – this error occurs when i try to log in to a password protected page on wp-pass.php)