outlook express

[inafix]

hi guys,for some reason i can only send mail but not receive it! simple answers only please.

[Buenchico]

Outlook Express has a nasty habit of 'losing' the settings which allow you to connect to the incoming and outgoing mail servers. Additionally, your anti-virus software actually changes these settings temporarily, so that it can scan incoming mail for viruses. The anti-virus software sometimes fails to communicate properly with Outlook Express, resulting in the wrong settings being left in place.

First, check that you know the address for your POP3 server. (It should be something like 'pop.virgin.net'). The information will be on your ISP's website but if you're with one of the UK's major providers you can probably get the information directly from here:
http://www.idl.uk.com/email/isp_settings.htm
(Obviously, if you're using an email service which is not provided by your ISP, you need to check the website of the relevant provider, rather than your ISP's website or the link above).

Now open Outlook Express.
Go to Tools > Accounts > Mail (tab)
If you've only got one email account, it will probably already be highlighted. If not, or if you've got more than one account, click on the name of the relevant account to highlight it.
Click 'Properties' and then on the 'Servers' tab.
Check that the correct POP3 server information is entered in the relevant field.
Delete your (asterisked) password and retype it.
Click 'Apply' and then 'OK'

Chris

[inafix]

Chris, many thanks for your reply but I have forgotton my password,what next?

[Buenchico]

Who's a silly Billy then? ;-)

Obviously, retyping your password will only correct the problem if the correct password has already been replaced by a duff one. However, it's fixed the problem several times for me, twice for a friend who I help with her computer and also for several questioners, here on AB, who've had similar problems. So, ideally, you still need to try it:

Suggestion 1: If your email is provided by your ISP, the chances are that your email password is the same as your internet log-in password. If you can view your log-in password, that will then tell you what your email password is. One of these programs might help:
http://www.download.com/1770-2001_4-0.html?que ry=view+password+asterisks&searchtype=download s&filter=license=49|&tag=ltcol
(Incidentally, if one of those programs shows that your Outlook Express password is still the same as your log-in one, I still suggest deleting the Outlook Express password and retyping it anyway. For some reason, it sometimes seems to be necessary).

Suggestion 2: Phone your ISP and ask them for your password. (Most ISP's set up a security question, such as 'What is your mother's maiden name? or 'Where were you born? when you open an account. If you can answer the security question, they'll tell you the password).

Suggestion 3: If all else fails, ditch your existing email account and set up a new one. See paragraph 3, et seq, of my post here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Inte rnet/Question407429.html

Chris