Don't have any ideas regarding the problem but logic would generally dictate
the following  (assuming also that you have conveyed everything that Sharp
has told you):

#1 - If the program you are using to invoke the download is from Sharp -
then it's their Tech Support who owns the problem if only to tell you
specifically why it's "not likely related to their product".
#2 - If the "rocket scientist" who told you that it is a problem with
"Outlook settings", would usually mean that they have a reason to make that
comment given that it's their program (if item #1 is correct). That in turn
means they should also have some clue as to what 'settings" they are
referring to which would be helpful if passed along to you.

Having said the above, one thing you may want to try is doing a "detect &
repair" in Outlook just in case something has gone awry. Would then reboot
the system just to cover all bases. Wouldn't be the first time we've seen
that solution cure "unexplained" Outlook issues be they caused by Outlook or
some other event that messed with some key DLLs especially if this was
working before and suddenly has started doing this. Other suggestion would
be to run SCANPST on your PST file containing the contacts to ensure that
there is nothing screwed up inside the PST file that could cause things to
go strange.

Karl

PS - When you do post any kind of question related to Outlook - be sure to
always mention the version of everything that you are using like:
          a) what program are you using to download (name & version)?
          b) version of Outlook?
          c) operating system version?
          d) did this go from a working state to non-working or is this the
first time you are trying this?
          e) any other info that may help someone respond to the question
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ContactGenie - Importer 1.3 / DataPorter 2.0 / Exporter
"Power contact importers/exporters for MS Outlook '2000/2003"
http://www.contactgenie.com