SMTP Error problem

For the past three days I've been having trouble with my home computer, which has Netscape 7.1 as an email client and XP Home o/s. I can receive mail fine, but when I try to send, I get the error message that says "Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because connecting to SMTP server mail.XXX.com failed. The server may be unavailable or is refusing SMTP connections. Please verify that your SMTP server setting is correct and try again, or else contact your network administrator."

I work with the ISP in question, and there have been some changes, so I've been working with them to get this straightened out, but in the process I inadvertently deleted my profile (having backed it up, carefully following Ramona's instructions, but having not checked it afterwards to be sure I got it right!) But creating a new profile hasn't solved the problem in any way. Nobody seems to know why it's happening, or what's gone wrong, and since I can easily use webmail, it's not a fatal flaw, just very annoying.

I had decided that it was just about time to start fresh with that computer, so I downlaoded Firebird and Thunderbird and burned them to CD at the office where I have DSL, in preparation for this new project at home.

I was just now reading through the Thunderbird message board when I discovered that this SMTP problem is not unique to my computer or my ISP, but is a major irritation to a lot of people using T-Bird.

Is this happening to anybody else with Netscape 7.1, or is it just me, and does anybody have any insight into what might suddenly be causing it? And does anybody have a clue why T-Bird seems to be so susceptible to it?

 

As a further update to the situation, for no particular reason except that I wanted to, I deinstalled Netscape, and installed Mozilla rathat than Firebird and Thunderbird. (I ran into problems with the XP.DLL files) After all that messing around, I can receive eamil just fine in Mozilla, but I still cannot send it.

The problem actually began when the ISP had to change its DNS address early this week. The techies thought this might be a result of the DNS cache not being flushed, but that has not done the trick, nor has repeated clearing of the temporary files, or persistent rebooting. Checking for viruses and spyware also reveals nothing.

Has anybody ever come across anything like this??

 

Hi bentley,

By chance is SBC your ISP? There's a lot of SMTP problems going around with that provider...

Take a look at this page:
Unable to Send Mail

The fact that your problem started about the same time that your ISP made their changes, seems to point to your server...

Ramona

 

I have read it, but that's not us! It does point to the server, but somehow it's not affecting people who use either Win 98 and Netscape, or Win XP and IE.

I'm the only one who's persistently going through the scientific method to try to get it working. Which, now that I thnk of it, does suggest that I should try setting up my email in IE and see whether I can get it to work. Never having used IE, I'll give it a shot when I get home...

 

Similar problem

Strange, but I have developed a problem which sounds basically the same. About a week ago I installed McAfee Internet Security Suite 6.0. Perviously I had used McAfee Virus Scan and Firewall packages with no problems.

That evening all seemed okay, but the next morning I started having errattic mail problems. However, around the same time my ISP (Comcast) did an upgrade to their spam blocking which clouded the issue.

Since then I have done a complete uninstall of McAfee and three reinstalls of NS 7.1 (2 short version & 1 from the larger download). As of this date I have not reinstalled McAfee.

All NS and NS Mail functions appear to work EXCEPT the sending of e-mail. After a period of time I get a failure message that "Sending of message failed. ......because connecting to SMTP server smtp.comcast.net failed. The server may be unavailable or is refusing SMTP connections. .... "

Comcast says they are not having problems (although I've seen occassional slow speeds and none repeatitive strange things over the last few days, including not being able to save Draft messages.

I am wondering if Bently's using the same ISP or Virus product.

 

More

More info:

I found that I can send via my ISP using Outlook Express. I assume this clears Comcast.

I also find that I can not save "Drafts "

Hints?

 

bentley,

Try temporarily disabling your email scanning, especially if it scans outgoing mail.

Close Netscape and Quick Launch:
Delete the XUL.mfl file located in your *.slt folder
Delete the Sent.MSF Files. DO NOT delete the Sent file with no extension
This file is located in your Mail Account Folder

If this doesn't help, then move your Sent Mail files out of the Sent Folder, then delete both Sent, and Sent.msf. Restart Netscape.... Did this work, can you send now? If not:

Check the SMTP server settings found under:
Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Outgoing Server (SMTP Settings) | Advanced
Ensure there is no blank space that highlights, if you click on the blank space above the SMTP server names, or below the SMTP server names. Remove any duplicate server entries, and also check that the setting is "Always use the Default SMTP server ".

Ramona

 

Cal,

See the above post I just made to bentley, and try the workarounds.

In your case, also delete the Drafts.msf file, in your Mail Account folder.

Ramona

 

On the way to final resolution

Ramona, thanks for the input.

My SEND problem appears resolved. Your last suggestion "Remove any duplicate server entries, and also check that the setting is "Always use the Default SMTP server ". did the job.

Some how I had multiple entries there...all the same. For some reason the output port number was adding itself to the correct address. (smtp.comcast.net:110)

I still have a problem, but at least I can send mail now.

For some reason, I can't yet save messages as Draft or Templates yet. I'll continue to look at my setting, but if you already know the solution, I'd be most grateful to hear it.

Again thanks for all the service you provide.

 

Cal,

Did you delete the Drafts.msf and Templates.msf files? That might help.

Let me know if you continue to have problems with these folders.

Ramona

 

More info

Hi Ramona,

Sorry not to have posted back before this, but as part of the problems with my email, I'm not getting post messages for WIN BBS.

As of yesterday I further narrowed down what's happening. It is definately related to a problem between NS 7.1 mail and a utility in the McAfee Internet Suite 6.0.

If I disable the "Privacy Service" portion, I am home free. I am waiting for info back from McAfee on what it could be. I'll post back when (if?) it's completely resolved.

Cal

 

Hi Cal,

Thanks a million for the feedback. Hope you get this issue resolved soon. Problems with Mail are the most annoying of all!

Ramona