ttangkong77

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help me with this issue of outgoing emails on Outlook 2003. This problem is currently occurring at my workplace (small office/small network) and it's happening to everyone.

All computers:

-Use DSL, Windows XP, Outlook 2003
-Use same email servers (2 separate email servers - with the same outgoing email problem)
-Are connected to the network as well as the internet
-have the same error - "Task - Sending' reported error (0x80042109) : 'Outlook is unable to connect to your outgoing (SMTP) e-mail server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP)."
We have two separate email servers, and both email servers are having the same error on all computers in the network.

There has been no recent changes to the network. It was working fine Monday, but the problem began yesterday (tues) and still persists today (wed).

I've called the DSL Tech support but unfortunately they do not provide tech support for outlook or software that isn't theirs. I've called our email server based here in the US and they say they do not have any problems right now. I really don't know where else to go, because we do not have a specific "network administrator" or "tech support" for our company... i mean... 5 employees... what can you expect?

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. If any more information is needed, please let me know.

Thank you.

clyde123

Is it only outgoing that has problems ? No problems with incoming messages ?

Have you tried to ping the email server ? What happens ?

Do you need to check authentication ?

Is your internet provider blocking port 25 ?

2xgrump

Have you restarted your email servers? Try this first.

Have you tried re-configuring (remove email then re-do it) from Control Panel => Mail one of the emails in your network? I would start with one for right now.

ttangkong77

Hi Clyde123,

There are no issues with incoming emails as far as we're concerned. Only outgoing messages.

I'm not computer savy so I don't know how to ping the email server.

We do not need to have the authentication checked - or at least didn't have to before.

As for the port 25 being blocked... Verizon DSL states they do not have the port 25 blocked. We use VZ DSL for ISP however email servers are not Verizon's.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

clyde123

Hi ttangknong77,
please open up a command prompt ( Start - Run - cmd )

Type : ping [the value entered in your Outlook setup for SMTP]
hit Enter
and report back what it tells you.

NB : the SMTP info is what you've entered in Outlook under server Settings / Outgoing mail . For Outlook 2003 it's :
Tools / Email Accounts / View or change accounts / Change / and you'll see the SMTP box.

You can xxxx out the actual value in the SMTP box in your next response, for privacy.
But if you get ping failed messages, you could Private Message me the value and I'll try it from this end.

ttangkong77

Hi Clyde123,

Thank you for your reply. I've actually tried calling Verizon DSL tech support again, only this time they told me that there was a recent change on their system that affected the outgoing emails. They said it was about 6 months ago, but its affecting people at different times.

Anyway, we tried using a different port (587?) for outgoing messages but apparently the email servers we use are blocking that port. So we are now set up with Verizon's email server for outgoing mails and the problem has been fixed.

I don't know why they failed to tell us about this change the first time we called them about this problem. Anyway, i appreciate your help. Thank you.

clyde123

Hi ttangkong77, thanks for reporting the fix.
It's always good to see a resolution.
Some hosts also allow port 26 for outgoing email, sometimes don't make it widely known.