winsock.dll and odbc

Hi, I have written an application accessing an Informix Database through ODBC. Portion of the application accesses SMTP and POP3. Both Informix and the Mail interface uses Microsoft TCPIP through winsock. If the database portion is run from one application and the Mail portion from another there are no problems. If both portions are run from one app, the mail portion works until the app logs into Informix. Thereafter the mail portion fails to receive data because the state of the socket is out. As soon I log out, the mail portion works. I have managed to set the state of the socket explicitly, which helps but then all the winsock functionality (database and mail) must be sequential, because if the mail is executing and a database function is called the connection is broken, and all subsequent db functions fail. Is there anyone that can shed some light on the subject, I would be greatful for any suggestions. Thanks.