images not sowing despite recommended fixes

Showing where? What "recommended fixes" are you referring to? Have you checked <Settings | Privacy & Security | Privacy | "Allow remote content in messages">?

Keep in mind that this is a dangerous setting because spammers will usually include a link to a picture, often an invisible one, so when you open their email, it tells them that they have a valid email address, which can lead to more spam. That's why it's safest to keep this option disabled. You can include exceptions for known-trusted senders.