MAPI Controls Probelms

I want to use the MAPISession and the MAPIMessages OCX control for an application that must only download messages and process attachments.

Because I use Outlook Express 5 that, as the Microsoft say in one note at the bottom of the MAPIMessages.AttachmentCount property's documentations, this last property is ALWAYS set to 0 with this version of Outlook?

How is possible to go around the problem? Assume:

a) For now I don't want to use MAPI call or write C++ code, this will be my last beach when every effort on VB will go wrong.
b) I can't use the complete Outlook COM Component, just want to use the MAPI Controls supplied with VB.

Thank you.

Simone Giannone
Sifram Sistemi Srl

PS only a polemic note:
* It seem EVERY example on programming email client is centered on SENDING email! But I think that Microsoft must dedicate more attention of the vital aspect of RECEIVING email...
* I'm a MSDN registered user, I've spent 30min in their Italian site (and English) to find a mean to contact the technical support or to find a help...NO WAY!