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Thunderbird intermittent smtp problem

Discussion in 'Firefox, Thunderbird & SeaMonkey' started by broni, 2007/09/07.

  1. 2007/09/07
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    OK...newest TBird version on Win 2K + Comcast

    Once in a while, while sending mail I was getting that regular window: "looking for smtp.comcast.net" bar roaming back, and forth, and it was hanging up there for 15-30 sec. Finally message was sent, or I was getting "Sending message failed" error.
    Overall, sending message was often very slow, and I was getting the above error once in a while.
    Some time ago, I changed smtp port from default "25" to "587 ", and since then, sending a message was a breeze.
    Until today. No send, error message.
    I tried OE (which I dislike), and it was no problem sending there.
    Finally, after restarting TBird for the third time, everything went back to normal.
    Am I missing something here?
    I have to add, that during TBird hiccup, I had no problem with receiving emails.
    I've heard from my friend, being on RRunner, having similar problems, also once in a while.
     
    broni,
    #1
  2. 2007/09/08
    Ramona

    Ramona Geek Member Alumni

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    Ramona,
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  4. 2007/09/08
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    Thanks, Ramona.
    I tried all those settings from your links, and one thing I can say is, that in my case port 587 is definitelly better, and faster, then 25.
    I realize, that many ISPs are either blocking, or heavy filtering port 25, because most spam, and other **** flows through there, and that's why port 587 is probably better, but...
    Other, then that, since my problem is intermittent, I can't really say, that I found a setting, which would solve the problem 100%.

    Now...yes, I use AVG email scanner, but my question is, if it'll be safe to turn it off?
    Another little question. Does it matter (or in general, what is it for), if under Account Settings>SMTP>Edit, I have "Use name & password" checked, or not?
     
    broni,
    #3
  5. 2007/09/08
    Westside

    Westside Inactive Alumni

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    I have AVG email scanner enabled, because it gives no problem, but I would not hesitate disabling it, if it would interfere. I have, yet, to see it do anything, so it stays on, by default.
    Mail scanning is, mainly, for the clueless who would open an attachment no matter what. In Tbird, and other mail clients you are protected if javascript is disabled. I would think that there would be a slowdown while the e-mail scanner is doing its thing, but not for long.
    Whatever settings work in OE should be used in TB. I feel fortunate that Cox supports, equally, the Microsoft stuff, as well as Firefox/Tbird, so my life is a lot easier.
    The Use name & password is used to authenticate that you are the one sending the e-mail. So, if Comcast requires authentication, the box must be checked. One problem is that if you have multiple addresses, only one could send, so it is necessary to have a different username/smtp.
    I will check with two relatives of mine who use Comcast, but most likely not with Tbird.
     
    Westside,
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  6. 2007/09/08
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    Thanks, Westside...
    So far, so good, no problems since yesterday, but if anything arises, I'll try to disable AVG mail scanner, and see, if it helps.
    I doublechecked my "about:config ", and javascript seems to be disabled by default in TB, so I should be safe.
     
    broni,
    #5
  7. 2007/09/08
    Ramona

    Ramona Geek Member Alumni

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    I see that Westside beat me to an answer. However, I will answer anyway, since you asked. It is definitely safe to disable the email scanning feature in any AV program IF you are using Thunderbird. Especially in view of the fact that you are an experienced user.

    Thunderbird Mail will not allow a virus or worm to execute automatically. You can see what attachments have been sent to you without a virus being able to execute. You would have to save a file to your system and deliberately run it before that file could cause any harm. The auto-protect feature in your virus program will prevent an infection.

    JavaScript is switched off by default for Mail and Newsgroups, so an email cannot run script code just by being opened.

    It isn't necessary to enable "Use name & password" in settings. I've never enabled that setting, and in fact earlier in development of TB, it actually caused problems if it was checked.
     
    Ramona,
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  8. 2007/09/08
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    I always knew, you were persistent, so no need for apology...LOOOOOOOL

    ...and, thank you for making my life easier...I'm off to turning AVG scanner off, and removing that checkmark.

    :D :D :D
     
    broni,
    #7
  9. 2007/09/08
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    Well, as always, when I have to much time on hand, solving one question leads to another....hehehe
    I'll try to figure it out, but maybe someone else will be faster (it's called taking advantage of some other people, maybe having some extra time, too...LOL)

    I disabled email scanner, but I'm faced with little annoyance. For many people it wouldn't be a problem, but for me...you know...it is.
    OK...normally, when entire AVG is fully functional its taskbar icon looks like 4-square red & white, checkboard. If there is something wrong (say, updates were not downloaded), that checkboard changes colors to grey & greyish. On a top of it, it gives you error balloon message. In my case: "Email scanner is not fully functional ". Surely, it was my choice to disable it, and I want AVG to ignore it.
    I'll try to find some solution, but if there is none, I believe, if I recall it correctly, that during installation AVG gives me the option to install, or not email scanner module. So, in worst case scenario, I'll reinstall.

    Does anyone have a solution for me, already?...hehehhe
     
    broni,
    #8
  10. 2007/09/08
    Ramona

    Ramona Geek Member Alumni

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    broni,

    Did you disable using the AVG Control Center? I have never encountered that problem...
     
    Ramona,
    #9
  11. 2007/09/08
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    Yes, I did, and I removed some checkmarks here, and there. Scanner was listed as disabled, but AVG icon stayed grayish, so I got impatient (as always..LOL), I un-/reinstalled, and my colorful AVG icon makes me happy:D

    Then...
    It seems, Comcast needs that "User & password" thingy to be checked, because after unchecking, some test email wouldn't send, saying "Authentication failed ".
    I put checkmark back, and I was back in business.

    So, that's that, unless I'll come up with something else, soon...LOOOL
     
    broni,
    #10
  12. 2007/09/08
    Westside

    Westside Inactive Alumni

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    I think that the username/password is pretty much what I was guessing.
    I don't need authentication, and, probably, Ramona doesn't either, so it matters little if the username/password is checked. But, if authentication is needed, you must have it checked.
    In my opinion, any ISP which uses that method to stem spam is doing a disservice to the users. The spammers will get around it for sure. While average Joe will get confused.
     
    Last edited: 2007/09/09
    Westside,
    #11
  13. 2007/09/08
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst Thread Starter

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    There is also slight possibility, that I set up user name & password, while setting up my email account loooong time ago, so who remembers now...:confused:
     
    broni,
    #12

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