I just dug up an old email from AT&T from the last time this happened to me awhile back... I think it's still relevant, even though I don't think they'd admit to this now.
here's part of it:
"In using the Mac Mail, the reason why that a pop up dialog box keeps on appearing every 2 - 30 minutes is because of a network event detected. This network event states that customers are prompted for their password when using POP clients, such as Microsoft Outlook, Mac Mail for email. Unfortunately, there is currently no Estimated Time of Restoral (ETR).
To access your Mail, you may use the AT&T Web mail. Please do the following:
1. Open your browser [Safari or Firefox] and in the address bar insert the address
http://sbc.yahoo.com.
2. Insert your member ID [username@sbcglobal.net] and password.
3. Click on the [Mail] icon.
If you did not encounter the issue using the web mail, you may need to recreate your e-mail account on your Mac Mail. Please follow the steps below:
1. From the Mac Mail toolbar click [Mail].
2. Select the [Preferences] option. The Account window will appear.
3. Click on the [+ (plus)] button on the bottom-left corner of the Accounts window. The New Account wizard window will appear.
4. Select the [Continue] button to launch the email configuration walk-through.
5. Select [POP] as the Account Type from the [General Information] screen and enter the following information before selecting [Continue].
[Account Description]: Give an Account name.
[Full Name:] Your Name
[Email Address:] Email address of account being configured
6. Enter the following information on the Incoming Mail Server screen and select
[Continue].
Incoming Mail Server
User Name: This should be the complete e-mail address
Password
7. From the [Incoming Mail Security] screen, verify the following before selecting [Continue]:
8. There is not a check mark in the [Use Secure Sockets Layer(SSL)] box.
[Password] is selected from the Authentication dropdown selection.
9. From the Outgoing Mail Server screen, enter the following information before selecting [Continue] (ensure the Use Authentication box is checked):
Outgoing Mail Server
User Name (Complete email address)
Password
10. From the [Outgoing Mail Security] screen, verify the following before selecting [Continue]:
Password is selected from the Authentication drop-down.
The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) box is not checked.
Screenshot: Outgoing Mail Security
11. From the Account Summary screen, verify the information then select [Continue].
12. Select [Done] when the [Conclusion] screen appears to exit the wizard.
If after recreating the account and still you encounter the problem, you may need to have your Mac Mail client to be checked. Unfortunately, AT&T does not configure third party e-mail clients. You may need to call AT&T Support + or your Original Equipment Manufacturer, Apple. AT&T Support + is a fee-based technical support service that would be glad to assist you. You can reach AT&T Support + at 1-866-294-3464 or Apple at 800-767-2775."
(numbers might be different now)
Anyway, I think this is pretty much why, at least for my situation... and that's why it comes and goes away on it's own, because they're working on their servers, or some such. I think right now, AT&T are doing major work with their internet, u-verse, etc so it would make sense that some of us are experiencing these drops at this time, plus whatever issues Mac Mail contributes. So that's my 2 cents. đ
have a great day.
Message was edited by: Sulimo
