To resolve this behavior, verify that you are using the correct account settings for your assigned e-mail servers. You can obtain the server information from your ISP or local area network (LAN) administrator. To verify the settings for your Internet E-mail account:
- Start Outlook.
- On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
NOTE: If Accounts does not appear on your Tools menu, then you are not using Outlook Express 5. - On the Mail tab, click the name of your e-mail account, and then click Properties.
- On the General tab, verify that your e-mail address is correct.
- On the Servers tab, verify that the e-mail server information is correct for both the incoming mail (POP3) and outgoing mail (SMTP) servers. Verify that both servers have the correct settings for your password and account name. Ask your ISP if your server requires you to log on by using a secure password authentication and if your outgoing mail server requires authentication.
- On the Connection tab, verify that the connection that you use is correct. For example, you may connect through a LAN or through a dial-up connection. Without a valid connection, your e-mail program cannot communicate with the e-mail servers.
- On the Advanced tab, verify that your server ports are correct. POP3 servers use port 110 and SMTP servers use port 25. Verify that these ports are correct. For more information, contact your ISP.
- Click OK, and then click Close to save any changes.
How to Ping the E-mail Servers
When you use the Ping command to ping the e-mail server, you can determine if you have a valid Internet or LAN connection between your e-mail program and the server. If the Ping command works, you are connected to the server. If the Ping command does not work, your network administrator or ISP may have blocked ping replies from the server and you may be connected. To ping your server:
- Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt. In Microsoft Windows 2000, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.
- At the command prompt, type ping, press the SPACEBAR, and then type your server name. For example, if your server is "pop3.email.msn.com" (without quotation marks), type ping pop3.email.msn.com, and then press ENTER.
The Ping command sends a communications packet to the server and then waits for a return packet, which indicates that the server received the packet. The Ping command sends three packets, and then displays the results. You either receive return packets or a time-out occurs without a reply.
When to Contact Your ISP
If the Ping command does not work, contact your ISP or LAN administrator to verify that there is not a problem with the e-mail servers or that they are not undergoing maintenance.