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Suddenly cannot send email through any SMTP server

OK, here is the thing...

Mac G5 Dual 1.8
OSX 10.4.8
Everything EXCEPT the latest Security update (the one for quicktime only)

No changes made, no new software installed, no settings changed...

I put it to sleep at night... woke it up the next morning.

Suceesfully RETRIEVED all my email... made and clicked 'send' on a response to one and it displayed the message that the server mail.xxxx.com could not be used to send. The hosting company says they can successfully send from my test account and that the server is fine.

OK, I use several domains for email and the POP/SMTP servers have always been great with this company. But this is just weird....

I can receive my messages... but mail (and entourage I later found) cannot send SMTP output to my servers. And, I cannot Telnet to any SMTP server.

I have rebooted, turned off the firewall, checked my wireless configuration, (OK), Reset PRAM and NVRAM all to no avail... Can anyone point me in the right direction? This is a REAL hair-puller

Thanks for any help
Steed

G5 Dual 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 24, 2007 6:30 AM

426 replies

steedvlx600 Author

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Jan 25, 2007 7:21 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

I understand what you are saying. But, I really don't use my ISP's email. And, yesterday when I did set it up (by their online instructions) it didn't work for SMTP either.

REmeber that these email servers are mine. And, they have been working brilliantly for over a year with this config.

The problem is not at the ISP, they haven't changed anything. The problem is with OSX somewhere.

G5 Dual 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.8) 4GB -- 1.8TB -- GF6600/256

Jan 25, 2007 7:50 PM in response to steedvlx600

Any SMTP use falls within the province of the ISP to permit, via relay through their facilities. They cannot be used in isolation of the ISP providing your connection to the internet.

If something has changed to where you are not "trusted" to use the SMTP of your ISP, then it can impact the use of other SMTP. I don't mean to infer that you have done anything to cause you to be distrusted, but only some change has taken place to prevent the process of establishing trust (the authentication).

Are there online instructions, in English, that you could share, that you followed for trying to use their SMTP? If so, I will glad to review.

Ernie

steedvlx600 Author

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Jan 25, 2007 8:34 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

Thank you for your offer. Unfortunately the online instructions are in Japanese only.

But, I have been assured by YahooBB (My ISP) that nothing has changed. I am not being blocked. So, I believe further exploration of the ISP angle would be a fruitless pursuit.

steedvlx600 Author

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Jan 26, 2007 12:37 AM in response to steedvlx600

Today, I got a friend to help me with YahooBB support in Japanese with this problem...

They clicked around for a while checked the account and said OK, now try it....huh? ok...

Now, ONLY the ISP email account will send. In order to send mail, I MUST use that server and that server only. The kicker is, that every mail I send out will show my Yahoo email address.

Now, they STILL say that nothing is being blocked... Now, I don't know if I believe them.

I need each email to show the account I WANT it to show in the FROM field. Mail doesn't seem to be able to allow this.

Jan 26, 2007 4:37 AM in response to steedvlx600

Now that you have been allowed to send with the YahooBB SMTP, did you again try another SMTP, on Port 587? How do you set up the authentication, if any, on the other SMTPs?

The actions by your friend, to succeed with the YahooBB SMTP, suggests that some changes have been made. It may be that nothing is being "blocked", as they see it, but there may be other tests of assurance being made, including the sending address.

Did you try using the YahooBB SMTP as the Outgoing Server on one of your hosted domain address accounts? If that does not work, then YahooBB is restricting by sending -- choice of the Outgoing Server does not normally determine the From address -- they are separate steps. With a few ISPs, you have to petition to use third party SMTP, and there is no action that you can take to avoid a needed step by the ISP.

The discussion on a blog at the following link, may be of interest:

http://www.blogd.com/archives/002253.html

It suggests they sent out a notice about blocking "Outgoing Port 25".

Keep me apprised.

Ernie

steedvlx600 Author

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Jan 28, 2007 7:46 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

Ok, here is what I know so far...

Some blacklist maker decided to pick up a huge block of Yahoo's IP addresses and include them.

Ironically, Yahoo must be using that blacklist. There have surfaced a LOT of people on the Japanese boards here that are having the sanme problem... most of them innocent domain owners who just want to use their own domain's mail.

I'm sure it will eventually be fixed. But, many of us are looking for solutions NOW. Since 'eventually' in Japan means weeks or months and not days.

I am as against SPAM as the next innocent domain owner. But, these blacklist makers are like little Napoleons when it comes to there lists.

All it takes is for someone on the same IP range to SPAM and they block an entire range so that no one in that IP range can send mail?!?

I am hoping there is a third-party solution out there. But, this is so new to me that I am at a loss to know what to do or where to go.

So, Yahoo IS blocking. But, since they blindly load the blacklist updates... they really don't know they are blocking so many innocent users.

The blacklist system DEFINITELY needs some oversight.

I guess this is going to be happening more and more if people won't just STOP abusing the mailboxes of others with unwanted spam.

G5 Dual 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Jan 29, 2007 6:33 AM in response to steedvlx600

Is it the sending address that is being blocked, in addition, perhaps, to blocking the third party SMTP? In other words, the YahooBB STMP will not work with any of your domain addresses?

Or are you saying that it is strictly based upon your IP address? If so, was this what was happening when at first you could not even send via the YahooBB address and SMTP? If so, what was done to allow this shift? It seems the permission for the YahooBB SMTP should extend to wherever it is used?

Ernie

Jan 29, 2007 7:40 AM in response to steedvlx600

Same problem as steedvlx...however, my problem started after installing the latest Security update. 2007 1.

Now I can't send at all...checked all my network settings and all is fine...exactly to spec.

When I try to send email, I get the Unable to Connect to Server message. I then get the Edit Message, Try Later, etc...dialog box. Clicking any of the three options crashes Mail and gives me the Report, Reopen dialog box.

Jan 29, 2007 8:01 AM in response to Toby Brown

Toby,

What has changed may not be on your computer. Is the SMTP the one provided by your ISP, or by another? If the latter, who is your ISP, and might they have recently altered their policies for third party SMTP. If the not that provided by your ISP, try changing the Port it is presented on to 587, or perhaps 465, rather than 25, if that is the present selection.

More info, please.

Ernie

Jan 29, 2007 8:22 AM in response to Ernie Stamper

Thanks Ernie...appreciate the quick reply. 🙂

I'm actually my ISP...I am the Admin for our email server at work. No settings have been altered on the server side, the only change has been the Security Update 2007.1. MS Entourage works fine...no problem.

Receiving mail works perfectly in Mail. I changed the port settings on my local Mail program to 465 (mapped on the server) but still experience a crash.

Another thread suggested reverting back to OS 10.4.8 with the 10.4.8 updater. Verified Permissions and tried that to no avail...still crashing...did I miss something with the 10.4.8 update maybe?

cheers.

Jan 29, 2007 8:55 AM in response to Toby Brown

Update--ran the 10.4.8. Combo updater and fixed the Send problem...can now send emails just fine.

HOWEVER, I have one email open trying to send that I can not delete or tell how it how to send. I click on Edit Message/Change Server/Try AGain later and it crashes Mail.

am I just going to have to live with an open email message?

thanks again.

Jan 29, 2007 9:08 AM in response to Toby Brown

Ran the 10.4.8 Combo Updater and fixed the Send problem...I'll just wait until the next Security Update.

thanks again for the help Ernie.

Jan 29, 2007 9:23 AM in response to Toby Brown

Toby,

I have been told in the past, that installing the Combo updater does not remove the latest security updates -- I will have to look for that exchange to confirm. Merely running the combo may have fixed something.

In the Finder (after quitting Mail), you can open Home/Library/Mail/Mailboxes and locate and delete the Outbox.mbox folder -- Mail will create a new one, without this message, when next you sent.

I have done the Security update, with no problems, and I use several SMTP, on various accounts.

More later,

Ernie

Jan 29, 2007 9:28 AM in response to Ernie Stamper

Toby,

I found my exchange with a knowledgeable Apple employee, who told me that all Apple package updates, such as Combo Updates, check for the version of other items updated, and DO NOT step on those updates. This suggests to me that something, other than the Security Update was involved, and you probably have NOT uninstalled the latest Security Update.

Ernie

steedvlx600 Author

Level 1

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Jan 29, 2007 9:02 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

Ernie,

Thanks for the double-take on that. The truth is... I think it is an IP based block. Bacause, if I use a friends computer with a test account on my domain... I can send.

I feel that this is what has been happening all along. And, that the Yahoo server will allow me to connect from any IP. But connections to any other servers on SMTP ports from THIS IP are blocked.

BTW, what is the combo update? CAn I run it again even though I am already 10.4.8? Is there a chance it would help. (SInce Yahoo still denies blocking anything?)

Suddenly cannot send email through any SMTP server