POP3 Connector Issue (Intermittent)

Hello all,

I have recently (last few weeks) been experiencing an intermittent issue with the POP3 Connector "breaking" and creating the following errors (below) over and over until I restart the server which corrects the problem. I have searched all over and I understand that one solution is to migrate from POP3 connector to SMTP. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for me right now. I simply need to get the POP3 connector back to functioning successfully as it has for over a year until just recently. Any ideas?

System is SBS 2003 Standard SP2 with Exchange SP2. I haven't been able to find anything in the event log that "triggers" this problem, just start getting these error messages and the connector no longer downloads e-mail from the ISP. Internal exchange e-mail is not impacted.


Event Type: Error
Event Source: POP3 Connector
Event Category: Download
Event ID: 1019
Date: 12/8/2009
Time: 1:14:57 PM
User: N/A
Computer: SERVER
Description:
The message download process finished with one or more errors.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.



Event Type: Error
Event Source: POP3 Connector
Event Category: Download
Event ID: 1023
Date: 12/8/2009
Time: 1:14:57 PM
User: N/A
Computer: SERVER
Description:
The downloading process for mailbox <user1@domain.com [pop.myISP.com]> was ended with one or more errors.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.



Event Type: Error
Event Source: POP3 Connector
Event Category: Download
Event ID: 1036
Date: 12/8/2009
Time: 1:14:57 PM
User: N/A
Computer: SERVER
Description:
An error occurred during a POP3 transaction to server <pop.myISP.com [user1@domain.com]>. The error is 10054 (An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
).

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.



Event Type: Information
Event Source: POP3 Connector
Event Category: Download
Event ID: 1032
Date: 12/8/2009
Time: 1:14:57 PM
User: N/A
Computer: SERVER
Description:
The POP3 agent will open the mailbox <user2@domain.com [pop.myISP.com]> on port 110.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


Thanks,

Rob

 

The first step is to have a word with your ISP. They may be able to tell you why their servers are dropping the connection.

I haven't used SBS for a long time and therefore, haven't used the POP3 connector a lot. However, in the old days we used to use a third party POP3 connector because the inbuild SBS one wasn't very reliable (NT4 days). You may well find the simplest solution is to use an alternative POP3 connector. All you need is an application that grabs the e-mails via POP3 and then passes them on you the SMTP port of you server. A google search retrieve a lot of suitable products.

 

Thanks Reggie, I hadn't really considered the option of a third party POP3 connector, mainly because the built in one was working fine for so long. Also, in my attempt to remove personal info from the error messages, I changed the ip address to say "myISP" when really it should say, "myWebhost ", but I guess either way, your comment still applies. Thanks for the suggestions.

Still confused as to why this is just now happening after working fine for so long???

 

I'll take a wild guess and say your ISP changed their policy about mail they dont host the domain.

 

Scott,

I'm not sure I understand your comment...Do you mean that somehow my ISP could be forcing the connection to drop? And if so, why would it not happen every time the server tries to connect to download POP3 mail from the web host? Just fyi, the web host and ISP are different (1&1 and Comcast, respectively).

Thanks,

Rob

 

Comcast?
So you have a domian controller with exchange on a cable modem?
I think there is a unwritten rule somewhere that you must have a reliable connection like a T1

 

Not all small businesses can afford such luxuries!

Also, I don't even think T1 is available at this location (downtown main street of a small town). Everything here is old!

As much as I sometimes dislike Comcast as a business and their customer service, they have been very reliable. Only downtime has been related to billing issues (hence the customer service problem).

 

T1 is available anywhere in the US.
Plus several companies have voice and data packages bundled. In our area a Dynamic T1 with 5 voice is about 350.00
*Dynamic means the voice lines use 64k each but only during a call.
A T1 can be gotten anywhere dial tone is. It runs off of 1 pair.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question372.htm

 

And Email trouble.