Author Topic: Emails going into a black hole? (Read 7378 times)

chewyalf · « **on:** March 10, 2012, 03:40:02 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2012, 03:52:04 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2012, 03:57:04 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2012, 04:01:57 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2012, 04:07:51 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2012, 04:12:13 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2012, 05:50:00 PM »

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

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

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

Allan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2012, 06:01:23 AM »

You're very welcome. Glad we could help

chewyalf · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:55:31 AM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2012, 10:09:27 AM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2012, 01:30:26 PM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2012, 01:31:51 PM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2012, 01:35:56 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2012, 02:05:12 PM »

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

Allan · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2012, 02:06:43 PM »

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

chewyalf · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2012, 02:11:21 PM »

Ok, didn't know if older posts were skipped over and newer ones looked at. Thanks Waiting patiently.

Raptor · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2012, 03:02:57 PM »

What are you using for SMTP settings?

chewyalf · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2012, 03:17:11 PM »

I think it was "smtp.comcast.net". Computer not here right now, but I believe that's what it was. But.... if it wasn't that, and the setting was incorrect, it would not have even left the outbox, correct?

soybean · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2012, 03:20:15 PM »

Quote from: chewyalf on March 13, 2012, 03:17:11 PM

I think it was "smtp.comcast.net". Computer not here right now, but I believe that's what it was. But.... if it wasn't that, and the setting was incorrect, it would not have even left the outbox, correct?

Correct.

Raptor · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2012, 03:30:17 PM »

Quote from: chewyalf on March 13, 2012, 03:17:11 PM

I think it was "smtp.comcast.net". Computer not here right now, but I believe that's what it was. But.... if it wasn't that, and the setting was incorrect, it would not have even left the outbox, correct?

Maybe. Sometimes people believe something is happening when it really isn't.

What port and other settings are you using? Don't mention your password.

I'd prefer if you list them the way they are in Thunderbird. I rarely use Outlook.

Allan · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2012, 03:36:03 PM »

The fact that it works one day and not the next would indicate the settings are correct. The fact that it happens with only that one email address is the issue - I'm guessing the settings are the same as the other accounts, correct? Have you spoken with your ISP?

chewyalf · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2012, 04:04:18 PM »

Very good point, Allan. If it works one day and not the next, settings have to be correct. And with my email address it worked, but.... I didn't leave it in there after the customer took it home. Who knows what would happen if it was there - would it still work with mine in there, or would it also fail.

My ISP says everything is fine, because it works on webmail just fine.

This is so annoying!

Keep ideas rollin' please.

Allan · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2012, 04:12:48 PM »

Wait a second. Did it work from your location but not your customer's? Did you test the new email address from your customer's location?

chewyalf · « **Reply #23 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:03:51 PM »

Nope. It doesn't work now at either location. I tested the new email from mine, when it worked, I gave it back to her stating that it was working - when the next day its not again.

chewyalf · « **Reply #24 on:** March 13, 2012, 07:01:32 PM »

What I am doing is having her email address on my computer, sending messages from time to time - seeing if they get to the recipient. If it works through tonight, AND tomorrow - we know the problem is somewhere in her computer.

Raptor · « **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2012, 05:00:47 AM »

Quote from: chewyalf on March 13, 2012, 07:01:32 PM

What I am doing is having her email address on my computer, sending messages from time to time - seeing if they get to the recipient. If it works through tonight, AND tomorrow - we know the problem is somewhere in her computer.

Do you both have the same providers?

patio · « **Reply #26 on:** March 14, 2012, 06:57:50 AM »

Has she checked her POP3 and SMTP settings yet ? ?
There's also the possibility her email account or client has your s flagged for some reason....i'll bet her SPAM folder is the black hole on her end.

Rob Pomeroy · « **Reply #27 on:** March 14, 2012, 10:19:11 AM »

Comcast. Oh dear.

Three words: sender IP reputation.

I suspect one of the IP addresses involved in this transaction is being blocked for spam. All computers on the LAN should be subjected to a malware scan. (Malwarebytes Antimalware is a good one to start with.)

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Author Topic: Emails going into a black hole? (Read 7378 times)

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

Raptor

chewyalf

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

Raptor

chewyalf

soybean

Raptor

Allan

chewyalf

Allan

chewyalf

chewyalf

Raptor

patio

Rob Pomeroy