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SMTP Server Issues. Apple Mail works. Postbox receives, but doesn't send.
I am using the same settings as my Apple Mail account and yet I keep receiving this message:
Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because connecting to SMTP server failed. The server may be unavailable or is refusing SMTP connections. Please verify that your SMTP server settings are correct and try again, or contact the server administrator.
How can I fix this?
Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because connecting to SMTP server failed. The server may be unavailable or is refusing SMTP connections. Please verify that your SMTP server settings are correct and try again, or contact the server administrator.
How can I fix this?
I’m frustrated
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The best solution from everyone
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Okay, got it working finally. Sad but I had to download Outspring Mail to figure it out because it has an auto detect feature (hint, hint).
Anyway, I used port 587 with "Use Name and Password" selected
"Use Secure Authentication" unselected
"STARTTTLS" selected
Works great now. Selected send and it asked a for my password and sent a test message right off.
I’m happier
4 people say
this solves the problem
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Inappropriate?feedbrain, sorry to hear you are having problems.
If you go to Tools / Account Settings / SMTP Servers, select the smtp server you are trying to use and select "Edit", is the Use secure authentication box checked?
If it is, try unchecking it, restart and send again.1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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I still can't send. I am also receiving the dialog box to check my News & Mailgroup settings. I can't seem to see these. I like Postbox's features, I just can't make the application work. I can only spend an hour at a time fussing with it. Maybe I have too many servers involved? I use the server to access mail and accounts from my website (Server 1). Then the Gmail server (Server 2) and the MobileMe server (Server 3). I have been playing with the settings and no combination of things work. -
Inappropriate?Sorry to hear about your frustrations. Is it sending a message from one specific server that causes the problem or the SMTP servers for all of these servers are failing?1 Comment Add a comment
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It is all of the SMTP servers.
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Inappropriate?Same problem here. I am using an Exchange server which runs SMTP over SSL with authentication.
The port is 587. postbox tries to connects and after a while, times-out.
The interesting thing is that if I set it to a another port, the time out is really quick. Using the correct port of 587, the time out is quite long.
If I use Gmail's SMTP server with SSL and authentication, it works perfectly.
J
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?shampoo.ca, bonus points if you want to send me a log when this happens?
you can adapt these instructions for Postbox:
http://email.about.com/od/mozillathun...
using SMTP as the log value and then sending the log to scott@postbox-inc.com
Thanks! -
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Inappropriate?That's great news. Now we just need to figure out feedbrain's issue.
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Inappropriate?Had the same problem; had to deselect "use name and password" on the SMTP settings. And port 587 still works fine for me, I had read previously that some ISPs block Port 25.
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1 person says
this solves the problem
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Chris, was this problem with a mobile me account or a private SMTP server?
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Private SMTP server--adhost. But the problem was resolved so long as I just used the same SMTP settings I was using on Thunderbird (TLS if available, port 587) but deselected the "use name and password" box. That was the only thing different. One remaining bug, however, is that some sent mail is not copying to the sent folder. ...
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This comment was removed on 02/10/09.
see the change log -
I also could receive but not send. I also had to deselect Use SSL, and I also had to use no password. I left the port set at 587 and it sent the email. I don't remember it asking again for a password but now it sends fine. The interesting thing is, when I go back to look at it, the SSL is checked again, it has a username and password again, but now the port automatically set itself to 25, and it is still working. I have Mail 2.1.3 and my ISP is Qwest with MSN. (which I suspected was causing problems because the only other mail I've ever been able to receive is from my MSN acct.)
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Inappropriate?I have the same problem as feedbrain. @Scott You linked these instructions (http://email.about.com/od/mozillathun...) which I tried to follow, but no log was generated. If you can help me generate the log, I will send it to you. (Using Vista.) -
Inappropriate?I am having the same issue as feedbrain. I have attempted to unckeck and check authentication settings,I have tried also to change port settings. I get the same error. If I change the port to 465 it says connecting but never sends then finally gives me a time out error, saying check settings or contact administrator.1 Comment Add a comment
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Kevin, is this with a mobileme account as well or with another SMTP server?
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Inappropriate?Same problem here with .mac mail sending. using port 993 in apple mail but does not work with postbox.
Any ideas?
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?This is with a MobileMe account. I have not entered any other email account other than my .mac account
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Inappropriate?Still getting message... Sending of message failed.
The message could not be sent because connecting to SMTP server smtp.me.com failed. The server may be unavailable or is refusing SMTP connections. Please verify that your SMTP server settings are correct and try again, or contact the server administrator.
When I change the "secure connection" to SMTP over SSL it acts like it is going to send with the "sending message" window popping up with the status bar moving, then it eventually times out with "Sending of message failed.
The message could not be sent because the connection to SMTP server smtp.me.com timed out. Try again or contact your network administrator."
Using port 25 gets me the first message where nothing at all happens but the first error message. When I use port 465 or 587 it acts like it is going to go then gives me the time out message after about 2 minutes of trying to send the message.
During all of these attempts I have "use name and password" unchecked and "used secure authentication" unchecked. I have also tried it with them checked. What I don't understand is that if "Use name and password" is checked it only has a field for the "User Name" where is it picking up the password? -
Inappropriate?I dont even get an error message -- it just hangs for me on send, with no progress. -
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Inappropriate?Still can't resolve my issues with it either. I have tried everything. All sorts of combination of settings.
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Inappropriate?I'm having similar problems on Mac 10.5.4. I get to the point where Postbox asks for my password over and over but never sends the mail
I’m frustrated
3 Comments Add a comment
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Exactly! This is one of the issues I keep encountering as well. Thank you all for posting.
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Exactly! This is one of the issues I keep encountering as well. Thank you all for posting.
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Exactly! This is one of the issues I keep encountering as well. Thank you all for posting.
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Inappropriate?Okay, got it working finally. Sad but I had to download Outspring Mail to figure it out because it has an auto detect feature (hint, hint).
Anyway, I used port 587 with "Use Name and Password" selected
"Use Secure Authentication" unselected
"STARTTTLS" selected
Works great now. Selected send and it asked a for my password and sent a test message right off.
I’m happier
4 people say
this solves the problem
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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Thanks for the Port 587 tip! Had the same problem with Comcast email and Port 25. Changing the port to 587 solved it.
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Inappropriate?jlbrew3, happy to help and glad it works, you are right. Not much good if it doesn't send. They need to fix some stuff (like optional signatures) but otherwise love the app.
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Inappropriate?Selecting STARTTLS on port 587 worked for me as well.
Some info on STARTTLS vs. SSL in case anyone else is curious:
http://sial.org/howto/openssl/tls-name/
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Inappropriate?Guys, I'm still confused as to what was going on here. Where all of you seeing this with the same smtp server (i.e. mobile me accounts?) or you all had different smtp servers but the same fix worked for all of you?
Trying to figure what we need to do to fix this on our end - especially if one of our account configurators has a bug in it.
Thanks! -
Inappropriate?No I'm not on a smtp (mobile me acct)
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Inappropriate?Scott,
All I have is a MobileMe account so I am not sure what the other guys were experiencing. Here is what finally worked for me and the only thing that worked for me. I tried all different settings and ports. I used Outspring mail's auto detect feature to figure it out.
I used port 587 with "Use Name and Password" selected
"Use Secure Authentication" unselected
"STARTTTLS" selected
Looks like a few of the guys did the same thing and it worked -
Inappropriate?@Scott - I was using smtp.1and1.com and selecting STARTTLS worked for me. SSL over SMTP caused the timeout error for me.
1 person says
this solves the problem
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It also worked for my 1and1 account. Strange thing is that it was only an issue on my home network - the work setup was fine with port 25/no SSL or STARTTLS!
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Inappropriate?thanks rcamp.
You may have mentioned this before, but was this an SMTP server you configured yourself in Postbox or a server whose settings we migrated over from another client like Thunderbird? -
Inappropriate?Having same problem here with my postfix server over SSL. Receiving is fine but sending is all sorts of trouble. Have literally tried every config possible (Secure and not) to connect to my SMTP server (which should be over SSL, via 587) and get one of three errors:
Obviously no auth times out,
I get an error with some configs that my server does not support secure authentication
I also timeout after a very, very long attempt.
Please fix. I am really looking forward to using your product soon! If you would like some more logs or details of config i can provide them.
Glad to see you guys are working on the problem already!
Also, since i saw this question posted right above mine, i set up my settings from scratch each time.1 Comment Add a comment
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Jordan, can you elaborate a bit on your smtp server? Is this a personal server you run?
Make sure user secure authentication is unchecked.
Do you have another mail client whose SMTP settings you can copy or post here for comparison?
Thanks! -
Inappropriate?I'm have a similar but possibly unrelated problem.
Mac OSX Leopard, set up using an @domain.local account so I connect to Active Directory at work. Tried to setup postbox using my gmail account to test - receive fine, cannot send. Get error message to verify settings.
Ran Postbox logged in as root, send worked fine.
Tried changing permissions, ownership, etc... still could not send.
Obviously, the issue is with permissions/access - I don't know enough about it to really know if there's anything you can do about it... but I hope so.
Using Postbox at home, love the functionality (especially the search options).
I’m sad
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Inappropriate?aero_hippo, are you sending from your gmail account or from your @domain.local account?
i.e. in the compose window is the from address gmail or @domain.local?
Thanks! -
Inappropriate?Scott,
Im running Postfix 2.3.8 over SSL.
Some Settings (cannot post all as I am not my company's server tech and dont have access):
SMTP SSL Authentication Enabled
Reject Anon Logins
TLS Enabled
If you need a specific setting im sure I can get it for you however (sorry I dont have them upfront). -
Inappropriate?Scott,
Im running Postfix 2.3.8 over SSL.
Some Settings (cannot post all as I am not my company's server tech and dont have access):
SMTP SSL Authentication Enabled
Reject Anon Logins
TLS Enabled
If you need a specific setting im sure I can get it for you however (sorry I dont have them upfront). -
Inappropriate?Scott,
The basic steps are:
1.download postbox
2.open the dmg and drag the app over to 'applications'
3.open it up, select 'gmail account'
4.enter my settings and connect to get incoming mail
5.compose a sample email and try to send... i get the error message.
same test logged in under root - the e-mail sends just fine.
so, the long answer to your question is - trying to send from gmail account. -
Inappropriate?@Scott - I configured the settings manually.
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Inappropriate?I have the same problem. I can download mail, but I cannot send. I've tried every possible config I can think of. Using same settings as Mail. Using SSL w/password, port 143. Message window says "error code: ssl_error_rx_record_too_long)
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Inappropriate?lightingdude, what smtp server are you trying to send to? a work or isp account? or something generic like gmail, .mac, .me?
For your SMTP settings, make sure you are looking at:
Tools / Account Settings / Outgoing Severs then pick your server in the list and press Edit.
Port 143 is reserved for IMAP not SMTP so I suspect that value isn't right for starters.1 Comment Add a comment
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Scott, I have things working fine for Thunderbird. After installing Postbox, I migrated the settings from Thunderbird. Just like others, I can receive messages, but cannot send. Thunderbird works fine (on what I am guessing the same settings as what Postbox must have now). Please help. I am running Windows home media center. Thanks!!
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Inappropriate?Indranil, is this with a mobile me account or an isp account?
If the later, can you go to Tools / Account Settings / Outgoing Server (SMTP) / then edit your SMTP server that is having problems.
Make sure [ ] use secure authentication is unchecked
try changing use secure connection to:
No
then closing account settings, bringing up a compose window and trying to send. -
Inappropriate?Scott, so what I did was deleted the accounts, and manually set up the accounts again. And after checking startttls etc, and changing the port of the outgoing server to 465 everything seems to work. I don't know what, but somewhere something may need to be fixed in the account migration tool. But, I am glad that I can send emails now and can actually try out Postbox for real! :)
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?That's frustrating Indranil that you had to do that. It would be helpful for me if you could do the following:
Preferences / Advanced / Config Editor
type in
mail.smtpserver.smtp
You should see a list of preferences for all of your smtp servers, look for the one that has the name of the smtp server you were having trouble sending from, then add the number associated with that smtp server to the string:
i.e.
mail.smtpserver.smtp1 or mail.smtpserver.smtp8
Now you should be looking at just the smtp preferences for that one server.
Take a screen shot of that.
Step 2:
Quit Postbox.
Find your postbox profile directory: http://getsatisfaction.com/postbox/to...
Rename your Postbox profile to something like Postbox_backup
Startup Postbox and let it migrate from Thunderbird again.
Go back to Preferences / Advanced / Config Editor and type in
mail.smtpserver.smtp. Find the number for the smtp server that won't send such as mail.smtpserver.smtp2 and type that into the text box so you are now only seeing the smtp preferences for the bad smtp server.
Take a screen shot of that so I can see all of those settings.
Quit Postbox
Send me the two screen shots with a link to this topic (scott @ postbox-inc.com). Then go back and find you Postbox Profile folder again. Drag the Postbox folder to your trash can. Rename the Postbox_backup folder back to Postbox and you should be right back where you are now.
Thanks! -
Inappropriate?What I found is somehow a word cropped up from out-of-the-blue and preceded the correct login.
Look at your smpt server line and it could be that simple. I removed that leading word and everything got to working.
I’m happy it was so simple once I found it.
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Inappropriate?Thanks for reporting in on what your problem was Edward!
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Inappropriate?still the same problem here, using gmail oder gmx as smtp. At this moment I'm unable to send any message. I'll look into my advanced configs in a minute, though I'm not willing to do this on a regular basis...
btw, copying the unsent messages to drafts works perfectly, no matter what account.
I’m frustrated
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nothing unusual in the config files. back to troubleshooting.
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I'm about to lose faith in myself...
After some time of basically doing nothing (apart from closing foobar2000), things were back to normal.
Looks like postbox had a hiccup for about an hour or so.
(and, no, the servers were alive, i pinged them in the process)
I'm confused now... -
could you have issues when only using a certain network or firewall?
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Hello Scott, thanks for your attention. :)
To answer shortly: no. No changes to either of them.
It still happens from time to time: Postbox can't connect to smtp, hanging at "Connecting to...". Mostly, a restart of the program solves the problem, but not always. -
Inappropriate?I'm not sure if this is a related problem, but here is what I can report.
1) Sending was fine with Thunderbird 2.x
2) I had this problem with Thunderbird 3.xbeta and Postbox
3) I had migrated the settings over from Thunderbird 2.x
4) I was receiving the following message:
Sending of message failed.
An error occurred sending mail: Unable to authenticate to SMTP server mail-relay.iu.edu. The server does not support any compatible secure authentication mechanism but you have chosen secure authentication. Try switching off secure authentication or contact your service provider.
After inspecting the SMTP settings, I noticed that postbox had picked up a new setting. There is now a checkbox for "Use secure authentication". My migrated settings were set up as:
Use secure authentication
SMTP over SSL
so I unchecked use secure authentication, but kept SMTP over SSL checked and everything worked fine. This suggests that you may need to investigate how the checkbox for secure authentication is populated -- since it isn't a field in the SMTP account settings for thunderbird. -
Inappropriate?emallaich, you did the right thing by unchecking the secure authentication option. Let us know if you have any more issues.
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Inappropriate?i really like postbox but can't get it to send consistently. usually when i first install, everything works for the first week then smtp doesn't work.
mac mail....the smtp server is correct. no authentication.
just won't send. :(
1 person says
this solves the problem
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Inappropriate?Jenn, what port is your SMTP server set up to use? (Tools / Account Settings / Outgoing Server (SMTP) / select your smtp server then Edit).
And is the problem related to when you are connected against a work network vs. say at home? Maybe it works in once place but not another? -
Inappropriate?it was set to use 25 but i changed it to 587 at someone else's suggestion. it doesn't matter if i'm at work or at home. i originally downloaded it at work and used it here first and so it did work. but now it doesn't send :(
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Inappropriate?I just tried postbox 1.0b13 converting my existing accounts as part of installation. Reading of email was fine no problem with configuration. I cannot send email on either my mobileme or imap server. Tried many of the configuration options and changes here still no luck. The settings I am using to send email work in both entourage and mail with no problems. Looks like a good program I will check back after beta has ended to see if the sending problem was ever resolved
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Inappropriate?I had this problem to, but after a windows update and a restart it suddenly worked again...strange.
I’m amused
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Inappropriate?I love the application, a big improvement on Mail and Entourage, but I have this problem of sending emails as well. It works for my gmail account but none of my others.I have tried some of the suggestions, but I need help in finding STARTTTLS. I am just not savvy enough1 Comment Add a comment
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HI raybrom, you can find your smtp server settings from Tools / Account Settings / Outgoing Server (SMTP)
choose your smtp server and click edit.
Cheers,
-Scott -
Inappropriate?Wow, In my mac version, there is no option to edit the smtp server, there's just a list. I'd buy this program in a minute, but it can't send mail.
I'm a network admin for godsake, so if I can't figure it out...
I’m frustrated
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O.K., I found the option for Mac users (and maybe for everyone) to edit smtp servers. Tools >Account Settings then scroll to the bottom of the account list on the left-hand side. There you'll see "Outgoing Server (SMTP)"
The location is a little funny, but at least it's there ;-)
After talking with several users, the SSL option for Gmail does not seem to work, but the other authentication methods do.
I don't know how many Mac users are on board with this program, but this is hands down the best Mac email client EVER to be produced and it's only 1.0! Tell all your Mac friends to buy this thing NOW! -
On my system, the Gmail SMTP connection should be set to "STARTTLS", but the authentication should be unchecked. The trick is unchecking the authentication because when you first migrate or set up a new connection the wizard seems to want to check it and that will leave it not-working.
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emellaich, did you use our gmail account wizard to set up your gmail account and it the smtp settings were not correct out of the box there?
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Joe, glad you figured it out. Where you using our account wizard to set up your gmail account automatically and it still had problems or were you setting up the server settings by hand?
Thanks!
-Scott -
Inappropriate?I am still getting nowhere, but really want it to work on my mac. I have tried a number of settings combination and nothing works for me, I simply cannot send emails other than gmail. Can any of the successful mac users provide me with their setting and I will try again.
raybrom
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hi raybrom,
what account are you trying to send from? a .mac /.me account?
-Scott -
Inappropriate?HI Scott. My computer is a mac; OX Snow Leapard version 10.6
regards
raybrom -
Inappropriate?Same problem here using snow lepoard and i'm very frustrated. i can send from my mobile me account but not from another account. I wish I had a soultion.
Also, Why can't I change the size of the viewer window text in postbox, message list, etc. This is also frustrating me to the point that I may just go back to my mac mail.It seems like such a simple thing....at least the type used could have been a bit larger. Any ideas about how to change that?1 Comment Add a comment
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what are the smtp settings for the server you are having problems sending from?
and what error do you get when you try to send? -
Inappropriate?Thanks Scott. I found out the answer to the server issue. What about the font size question?
I’m frustrated
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and the answer is ? Mark
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Mark, I'm a new Postbox user myself. The only place I could find that allows control of font settings is: Postbox > Preferences... > Display > Formatting.
On the bottom of this screen, you should see an option entitled "Configure the fonts and encodings used by Postbox." Click the Fonts... button to the right of that text.
Uncheck the option that says "Allow messages to use other fonts".
Now, you can change the font sizes that are shown right above that option. This will, at least, allow you to change the text size of viewed messages. I haven't figured out how to change the text size of the folder and message lists yet. -
Inappropriate??????there was no answer there?
I’m confused and don't understand why i can't change the font size
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Inappropriate?I have the same problems. No mail can be sent against my work network. I have tried all ports, SSL, STARTTLS. Any help?
I’m sad
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Hi Mariana, do you have a firewall installed on your system that could be blocking Postbox from reaching your smtp server?
-Scott -
Inappropriate?No firewall. The problem is the setting for the proxy. I have to put the setting to be able to get my mail from work and it blocs me from sending and also connecting to my gmail. My apple mail worked perfectly, I am very annoyed. Any help?
I’m frustated
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Hi Mariana,
If you need to configure Postbox to use a proxy you can do that by going to:
Preferences / Advanced / Network & Disk Space /
and then click the connections button
from there you can enter your proxy information. -
Inappropriate?I did that already and it works well. But the problem is I had imagined that postbox would work like apple mail. Now depending where I am at work or at home, I have to change the preferences to allow postbox to work properly. It is a little bit annoying... will something be done in the early future to fix that? being able to have you e-mail whenever you are without changing the preferences? it will be great!
I’m frustrated
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