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User profile for user: kstraitiff
kstraitiff Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

connection to server on port 25 timed out

Can't send mail. Connection to the server "smtp.ca.astound.net" on port 25 timed out.

I keep getting this error when sending mail. I can receive mail but just can't send.
I noticed this problem sometime after installing the Security Update 2006-005, Security Update 2006-007 and Airport Firmware Update 5.7. I don't know that any of these are the cause but I'm trying to provide as much detail surrounding the problem as I can. I had been receiving and sending mail with no problem for the several years that I've had this set up and now I can't send mail.

I am using a 17" Powerbook running OS 10.3.9 and connecting wirelessly to an Airport Extreme. I'm using Apple Mail as my email software, but I have also tried to send through Entourage with no luck. I am using an email account and SMTP server provided by my ISP. I also have an old iMac running 10.3.5 that is wired directly to the Airport. I have an email account set up on the iMac and can't send from there either.

My ISP (Astound), who handles the cable modem, has said that they haven't made any recent changes on their side and confirmed with me that my account settings are correct. I even deleted my account and rebuilt it with no success. Although I am able to send email through webmail using my ISP's website. Based on that test they say that there aren't any problems on their side.

Are there some settings on the airport that may be affecting this? Any ideas on what I'm missing? I'm baffled.

PowerBook G4 17in, 1GHz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Feb 9, 2007 12:48 PM

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6 replies
User profile for user: David Gimeno Gost
David Gimeno Gost
User level: Level 7
20,780 points

Feb 9, 2007 7:55 PM in response to kstraitiff

Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network, choose Network Port Configurations from the Show popup menu, and make sure that the configuration used to connect to Internet appears at the top of the list.

Also, try using a different method to connect to Internet, if possible, or connecting the computer to Internet as directly as possible, i.e. bypassing any routers that might be present, using an ethernet cable instead of wireless, etc., and see whether that makes a difference.

It could very well be that the problems are related to having installed a system update, usually not because of the update itself, but rather as a result of not having installed it properly, or having ignored Apple’s " Important: Please read before installing" warnings, etc.

Some (but not all) of the problems caused by not having installed an update properly can be fixed by (properly) reinstalling it. If you suspect a particular update could have a bearing on this, proceed as follows.

Verify/repair the startup disk (not just permissions), as described here:

The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about?

After having fixed all filesystem issues, if any, reinstall any updates that may not have been installed properly. In some cases, it may also be necessary or convenient to reinstall the Combo Update for the type of computer and the version of Mac OS X you’re using, unless this is the version of Mac OS X that came with your computer:

Mac OS X 10.3.9 Combo Update

Take a look at the following articles for guidelines on how to properly install system updates:

Troubleshooting installation and software updates
Installing software updates

Basically, you should verify/repair the startup disk before installing the update, no applications should be running while installing it, and you may experience unexpected results if you have third-party system software modifications (not normal applications) installed.
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User profile for user: kstraitiff
kstraitiff Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Feb 10, 2007 10:30 AM in response to David Gimeno Gost

Thank you for the detailed response.
I've made progress in narrowing down the problem. I connected my iMac directly to the cable modem, thus eliminating the Airport, and mail is working properly. As I mentioned earlier, I wasn't able to send mail from either the laptop or the iMac. And I'm guessing that the firmware update I made to the Airport may have been the cause. I'll reinstall the Airport Firmware update 5.7 and see if that solves the problem.
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connection to server on port 25 timed out

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