Can't send mail because the outgoing mail server won't connect!!

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Can't send mail because the outgoing mail server won't connect!!

Okay, everything was working fine, but now all of a sudden I can't send mail through my school's outgoing mail server because it won't connect.

I use a gmail pop account that works perfectly fine, but the one that is giving me problems is my school's email. It worked great for several weeks. But now, all of a sudden I can receive my mail, but it won't send using Mail. The connection doctor shows that it can't connect to the SMTP server. I've tried different ports, using/not-using SSL, erasing account/servers and then re-adding them back, etc...

I've tried using:
incoming mail server: mail.etbu.edu port 25
outgoing mail server: mail.etbu.edu port 100

and: (SSL)
incoming mail server: mail.etbu.edu port 995
outgoing mail server: mail.etbu.edu port 465

I've even thrown port 587 in there for kicks, but nothing seems to work. Something is blocking my connection to the server, but I don't know what. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

black macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 24, 2009 11:41 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 24, 2009 11:53 AM in response to wassup dude

It sounds like the school's mail server is blocking your connection.

If you have tried authenticated, using your username/password, and even SSL for your outgoing mail server with your school, it's possible they have disabled NTLM, or another authentication method only allowing methods they wish (possibly custom ones that only school computers can speak).

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Answer 2

Feb 24, 2009 11:54 AM in response to wassup dude

Hello and welcome to the Discussions.

If this is a POP account, then the Incoming server will either use Port 110 and no SSL, or Port 995 and SSL.

The Outgoing Server, if fully authenticated may work on Port 587 and no SSL or Port 465 and SSL. When working at school, does the name of the SMTP get altered to append your Username? If not, then it is not using separate authentication, and would only work on Port 25. But if that is the case, and your ISP has changed or is suddenly blocking Port 25 (as many do) then this would explain the issues when at your home venue.

Any blocking of Port 25 would have no impact on incoming access, but other policies of the ISP could.

More info, please.

Ernie

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Answer 3

wassup dude Author

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Feb 24, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

It is a POP account and I have the incoming server set at port 110. Unlike my gmail POP account, the name of the SMTP does not get altered to append my Username. Instead, the server name changes from "ETBU" to "ETBU (offline)"

If I try to enter a specific port it automatically changes back to port 465, so I have the outgoing server set on the default ports (25, 465, 587)

I've talked I.T. here at the school and they said nothing had changed on their end in over a year. So, it seems weird considering that everything worked fine for a few weeks, and then suddenly it won't connect.

What other specifics do you need?

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Answer 4

wassup dude Author

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Feb 24, 2009 2:22 PM in response to wassup dude

okay well this is getting really frustrating because I've tried a ton of different combinations, but the Connection Doctor is still showing that it could not connect to the SMTP outgoing mail server (mail.etbu.edu).

I've tried a ton of different combinations with the ports, but nothing seems to work.

So, if anyone has any ideas how to connect to the server I would greatly appreciate it!!

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Answer 5

Feb 24, 2009 4:19 PM in response to wassup dude

If your Username is not getting appended, then it is not a SMTP that is truly authenticated in the sense required to use Port 465.

Instead select to use Custom Port, and set to use Port 25, with authentication of None, and no Username or Password entered.

Ernie

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Answer 6

wassup dude Author

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Feb 24, 2009 7:57 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

Nope, the Connection Doctor still shows that it "could not connect to this smtp server."

Right now this is what I have:

Incoming server: mail.etbu.edu port 110
outgoing server: mail.etbu.edu port 25 (custom)

And that is with no authentication, no username/password, and no SSL for either server.

And my server name reads: "mail.etbu.edu (offline)"

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Answer 7

Feb 25, 2009 6:40 AM in response to wassup dude

The Incoming Server must be authenticated by Password and Username, then the Outgoing may work because it is then doing its authentication off of the Incoming (known as SMTP after POP3 authentication when used).

Ernie

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Answer 8

wassup dude Author

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Feb 25, 2009 7:41 AM in response to Ernie Stamper

Sorry, I worded that badly.

The incoming server is authenticated with password on port 110.
The outgoing server is not authenticated (no password/username) on custom port 25.

No SSL for either.

Still no connection.

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Answer 9

Feb 25, 2009 12:34 PM in response to wassup dude

As I expressed earlier, the practical reality is that if the SMTP is not fully authenticated, then it cannot be used on either Ports 587 or 465, but only on Port 25. But if the ISP at the venue where you try to use is blocking Port 25 to all but the SMTP it provides (Comcast now even blocks Port 25 to its own SMTP) then there is no way to enable sending with that SMTP.

Ernie

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Answer 10

wassup dude Author

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Feb 26, 2009 11:49 AM in response to Ernie Stamper

Okay well, I don't know if this means anything, but I was looking around for stuff and found a few things.

First, about my username appending to the server name, I noticed that this will happen, but only when I use authentication (username/password) for the outgoing server.

Also, my school uses VisNetic Mail for our school email accounts; so, I went looking on their website for information; From what I could tell, it supports SSL and authentication, and this fits what my school's IT department told me about being able to use SSL.

I have sent an email to the internet provider to our school (GoZoe) to see if they have any additional information about what might have happened.

Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all. It is just frustrating that everything worked perfectly for a few weeks, and now all of a sudden, it won't fully work at all. Thanks.

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