Thunderbird and IDNET

[aeuerby]

I wonder if anyone can help.
I've been using Thunderbird version 2.0.0.6 for a few months now with no problems
Yesterday I went to send an email and it asked for the password.
It is set up remember this so I was surprised.
Anyway I put the password in but I am still unable to send the email.  It just keeps on asking for the password.

I haven't changed any settings so I am at a loss as to how to solve it.
Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks!

[Adam]

Have you tried logging in to the IDNet webmail interface with your email/password? I had the same problem a while ago and found that my password would no longer work; changing it, to the same thing, in the customer area fixed it.

[aeuerby]

Yep I can log into the idnet webmail no problem.
I have also downloaded the latest version of Thunderbird and it's still not working!

Thanks for your suggestion though!

[Adam]

Out of interest do you use IMAP or POP? Also, have you sent an email through your IDNet email account before (via Thunderbird)?

[aeuerby]

It's set up as pop.

I have sent emails using thunderbird for months, and I am able to send emails via the idnet web mail, I just can't send them via thunderbird - but can still download them.

[Adam]

It sounds like it could have something to do with SMTP authentication. Could you check that you have your account added to your outgoing servers with authentication on and also have it selected under the account settings?

[aeuerby]

Thanks adam how do I check all of that?

If something has changed on the settings I'd be amazed though!

[Adam]

To check your outgoing servers go to 'Tools' then 'Account Settings', scroll to the bottom and select 'Outgoing Server (SMTP)', and check to see if your IDNet email address is in the list.

If it isn't then click 'Add..' and fill the form out by putting 'mail.idnet.com' in the 'Server Name' field, and selecting 'User name and password' then put your IDNet email address in the 'User Name' field. If it is in the list then ensure the settings are as above.

To select it for your account go to the account in the 'Account Settings' window by clicking on the email address then select the matching email address from the 'Outgoing Server (SMTP)' drop down.

I hope it helps fix the problem, if not we may need to look at other areas which may be causing problems.

[aeuerby]

Adam,

I have in the server name field pop3.idnet.com.  It's been that from day 1.
The outgoing server is set as pop.idnet.com, which again has been that way since day 1.

[Adam]

The server DNS is less important as IDNet uses the same server(s) for IMAP/POP/SMTP. The main thing was checking that 'User name and password' was enabled on the outgoing server. If it has worked in the past though it is rather odd, perhaps it is worth a try recreating the account from fresh?

[aeuerby]

I've just added a brand new account with a different (and new) idnet email address and the problem is still there 

Ok driving me bonkers now!

[Adam]

Ok driving me bonkers now!

I know the feeling I can see no obvious problem if SMTP authentication is setup correctly for both accounts though. I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to offer another pair of eyes on the problem.

[aeuerby]

Thanks for all of you help Adam!

[Adam]

Thanks for all of you help Adam!

It's no problem. I'm sorry we didn't manage to get it sorted though.

[Lance]

My suggestion would be to try changing your password in the Customer area of the IDNet website, and trying that in TB.

If that works, and you could probably change back to the current password if you wanted to.

[Rik]

I have in the server name field pop3.idnet.com.  It's been that from day 1.
The outgoing server is set as pop.idnet.com, which again has been that way since day 1.

Welcome to the forum.

That outgoing server may be the issue, it should be smtp.idnet.com, or you can use mail.idnet.com. Though why it should have worked previously is puzzling.

[Ann]

Agree.  Outgoing is always smtp and not pop.  I've got smtp.idnet.net

[Adam]

Though why it should have worked previously is puzzling.

It'll work because pop.idnet.com, mail.idnet.com, etc all point to the same IP/server.

[Rik]

But the servers were always given out as pop3.idnet and smtp.idnet. Would there be a DNS entry for pop.idnet as well?

[Simon]

Mine is set to smtp.idnet.com, and the incoming is pop3.idnet.com.

[Ann]

pop does work for outgoing which is clever stuff and good to know.. I don't know why it's good to know but I like to know.  I don't know why I've got .net instead of .com.  I must've been told it originally.

[Rik]

The easiest thing, Ann, is to set incoming and outgoing to mail.idnet.com. Saves all that remembering.

[Ann]

Actually I'm really good about my computer settings and I keep a list of everything on a sheet on computer which I print off every now and then.  It has come in handy at times when I've had a major crash and had to format and reinstall with no notice. 

I also just realised that I can send through purplecloud which is clever.  The setting there is individualised which makes me feel very special.

I don't have much to do today.. does it show? 

[Rik]

I don't have much to do today.. does it show? 

Only slightly, Ann.

I keep lists of all my settings too, both on my Palm and as printouts, just in case.

[Inactive]

I keep lists of all my settings too, both on my Palm and as printouts, just in case.

That could be quite handy Rik.

[Rik]

 



You're in good form this afternoon, In.

[Inactive]

I thought I would keep my hand in Rik.. 

[Rik]

And your finger out? 

[aeuerby]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I've changed to outgoing server to both smtp and mail and the problem is still happening.

May just have to give up on thunderbird so if anyone has any suggestions of something similar (not outlook express or whatever it's called) I'd be grateful!

[Rik]

I'd suggest you give IDNet a ring, 0800 0267237, while you're at your computer. They can then watch the logs as you attempt to send mail, and tell you what they see. This is one of those areas where we can only help in very general terms, if you call IDNet they can get to the specifics very quickly.

If you're looking for another client, though, I'd suggest Pegasus. It is free.

[aeuerby]

Thanks Rik I will.

I can't even log onto IDnets webmail now......
Will sort it all tomorrow.  I'm fed up now!

[Rik]

If you can't get into webmail either, it sounds like your password needs to be reset. They can do that for you immediately.

[Ann]

If you really want a new emailer, I'd suggest Eudora http://www.eudora.com/ .  I've used it for years and find it great.  They've stopped selling it now but it's still available free for download.  It won't help your problem though as I'm sure it's not an emailer issue.

[Rik]

I used to use Eudora for years, Ann, as it was the company mail client for Adobe. Pegasus has many similarities, but has the big advantage of still being in development.

[Ann]

I'll look.

[colirv]

May just have to give up on thunderbird

Just for completeness, I use Thunderbird and send via IDNet SMTP. My settings for Outgoing Server are

Server Name: smtp.idnet.com
Port: 25
User Name: xxxxxx@idnet.com
Secure Connection: TLS (if available)

Password when Thunderbird asks - same as I use to login to webmail as xxxxxx@idnet.com

Just in case you want to double check!

[Rik]

Thanks, Colin, a fresh pair of eyes, especially from a user of TBird, are always welcome.

[Adam]

But the servers were always given out as pop3.idnet and smtp.idnet. Would there be a DNS entry for pop.idnet as well?

There does happen to be a DNS entry for pop.idnet though it is unusual for providers to cover such a wide range of options. I personally always just go with mail.* and only use imap.* and smtp.* if required.

[Rik]

It makes you wonder what other permutations they have covered.

[aeuerby]

Just a quick update.
I could log into the webmail last night but still couldn't use thunderbird.

I've downloaded eudora this morning and I can send and receive email with it so it suggests something very wrong with thunderbird.

[Simon]

Is it just your IDNet account in Thunderbird you're having problems with?  If so, and other accounts are working, it would still point to an account / server setting issue.

Just another thought, I don't suppose somehow your firewall could have decided to block TB outgoing emails?

[Rik]

I've downloaded eudora this morning and I can send and receive email with it so it suggests something very wrong with thunderbird.

Have you checked the settings against the ones Colin posted at reply 35? It almost sounds as if your installation of TBird has become corrupted.

[aeuerby]

Rik,
Yes my settings are what Colin had.

I've emailed IDnet customer support who (I'm pleased to say within minutes, excellent customer service!) suggested I uncheck the "use name and password" box which I did and I can now send emails!

I did read on another forum about some guy having the same problem who also unchecked the box but it was only a temporary solution.  We'll wait and see.

I've also checked my firewall and it is not set up to block any Thunderbird operations!

[Rik]

I'm glad you're sorted. Is that 'use name and password' box for SMTP server authentication by any chance?

[aeuerby]

Not sure.
The box it is in is titled "Security and Authentication" if that's any help!

[Rik]

That does sound as if you were trying to authenticate the smtp connection, which you don't need to do, so hopefully the cure will be permanent for you.

[colirv]

That does sound as if you were trying to authenticate the smtp connection, which you don't need to do

Really? I'd have thought it needed some sort of authentication (although clearly it doesn't) - you could be anybody, IYSWIM!

[Rik]

Generally, there's no need to authenticate when accessing via IDNet (the system knows who you are). OTOH, if you connected via another ISP, you wouldn't be able to use the IDNet smtp server. With my 1&1 account, otoh, I use authenticated-smtp, and can send via their server regardless of the nature of my connection.

[colirv]

Ah. Thank you for that - I'd forgotten I was connected via IDNet in the first place! As it happens I can also send via my Purplecloud hosting, GMail and dnsExit (for work), all of which require authentication. That was what had me fooled (easily done).

[Rik]

It tends to be the same with most ISPs nowadays, Colin. I can still remember when you could use any SMTP server with no authentication, but those days disappeared as spam took off. As you say, domains and GMail tend to use authentication, while other addresses have to reply via the IDNet server.

[Ann]

But just to confuse the issue I do have the option ticked in Eudora that says "Authentication allowed".  But I spose there is a difference between allowed and required... or something.

[Rik]

Essentially, yes, Ann. IIRC, Eudora is set up so that it can authenticate if challenged by the remote server.