Can't Open Default Email Folder

I inadvertently said I was using an exchange server and now I am trapped in a never-ending cycle of error messages that will not let me change the server settings to the appropriate pop server. In XP you can go to: Control Panel/Mail/Email Accounts/View or Change Existing accounts, but this option doesn't seem to exist in Vista. Here are the messages I get and the outcomes, I've also attached a couple of screen shots. "The connection to Microsoft Exchange is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action." At the same time a smaller window is open that says "Configuring Outlook Accounts" The only options presented are to click "X" or "OK" to close the window, once this is done the Microsoft Exchange Window opens with the incorrect server name and account name that I typed in originally. If I try to delete them and click "apply" or "ok" or simply click "X" the following window message appears from Microsoft Outlook:
"Cannot open your default email folders. The file C:/Users/HP/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook/Outlook.ost is not an offline folder file." The options at this point are to click "X" or "Ok" once done the program closes. I have tried uninstalling Office and re-installing, but the Microsoft Exchange Server still remains. I am connected to the internet, all I want to do is change from Exchange Server to pop and supply the necessary pop and smtp information to set-up my email properly. I have been pouring over this for the better part of the day and what's worse is this is for my work email. I am in a remote office, on a laptop, without an IT guy at the moment.