Emails going into a black hole?

[chewyalf]

Very strange problem, hopefully somoene can help. I have posted this message on several forums and no one is answering. Hopefully someone can here.

My client has Windows Vista, and Microsoft Outlook 2003. I compose an email. It goes to the outbox, then leaves the outbox. I then see it in the sent folder. Problem is, that no matter who I send it to, they never get it. Any single email address - it never goes through, but yet it has left my computer.

I logged in through her providers website and can send via webmail, so it definitely is with Microsoft Outlook or something screwed up in Windows. I have completely uninstalled my anti-virus software (Webroot SecureAnywhere) so that no AV software was running, and even booted into safe mode with networking to see if anything else was blocking it, and still no luck. I have reinstalled Microsoft Outlook as well.

Any ideas, anyone?

[Allan]

One suggestion would be to check with your ISP and make sure your outgoing mail server for the account(s) in question is correct. Also, have you tried setting up a new account with a different email address just as a test (if you don't have a second email address, set one up with your isp).

[chewyalf]

Allan,

My clients email used to work, and didn't change anything, but I guess that is always an option - to check with the isp.

AND - that is a WONDERFUL idea about setting up another email account! Wow. Your the only one who gave me an idea to try, and I posted this message on SIX forums! I am off to try it. Why didn't I think of that?!?!?! This way we will see if its Outlook, or the email address! Your smart.

THANK YOU!

[Allan]

Sometimes ISP's change the outgoing server and send their customers an email letting them know, but the customers may not read them. As for the new account, it's just something to try - save your praise until we see the results

[chewyalf]

Ok, here's the results. Set up my OWN account in Outlook. Sent a test message. Clicked send & received. And - it sent, and I got it!!

So, its her email account?!?!?!?!

So what can I do to fix it? And why would it appear to go through ok, but it doesn't?

THANK YOU! You set me in the right direction.

[Allan]

I appears that the account may somehow have become corrupt. I suggest you delete the account and recreate it. Let's see if that helps. If not, perhaps simply a new email account?

[chewyalf]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it! I deleted, re-added, tested, A-OK!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Allan]

You're very welcome. Glad we could help

[chewyalf]

Did not work. Yeah, it did, for a day. Now its back to the same problem. So I even installed Thunderbird. It worked for one day. Now its back to the same thing. Anyone?

[Raptor]

Send an email from the webmail interface to see if its the client or the email address.

If it's the email address, contact the email provider.
If its the client, its most likely the settings or a spyware/virus infestation. You should install Security Essentials and do a full sweep.

[chewyalf]

Raptor--> Sending from webmail works just fine. Email provider says that since it works via webmail, the problem is not on their end. I did the send/receive from Safe Mode with Networking, and still had the problem. And a full virus/malware/spyware scan was done.

Please, keep the ideas coming! I appreciate it.

[chewyalf]

Allan--> About the ISP and the outgoing mail server.... If the mail server was wrong, the message wouldn't send at all, correct? She would get an error message?

[Allan]

If the outgoing server setting was incorrect the mail would not go out and yes, there should be an error message of some sort.

The fact that it works for a while and then stops would indicate all settings are correct. Not sure why it would stop - and just the one account. There are a number of folks on this site a lot more knowledgeable about this type of thing than I am - perhaps one of them will have some thoughts. Hang around.

[chewyalf]

Would anyone get mad if I posted a 2nd topic with a fully summarized scenario? Or is that frowned upon.

[Allan]

It would serve no purpose and it would be deleted. This thread will get the appropriate exposure.