Recover old email from prev. web host

[lilpenny1316]

My client had her webhosting account over at Homestead, and she checked her email using their Webmail program

Last week, she transferred her web hosting services over to Ipowerweb. But now she's worried that she lost all of her emails from her old hosting account because when you try to log in to Homestead's email program there, she gets a login error.

I figured that with most web hosting providers, those emails would still be on their web server, especially since it is paid through the end of August. So I wouldn't think they would be deleted or wiped clean.

I want to tell her to call Homestead and ask them to forward those emails to one of the accounts she still has with them or to another email address, but I am not sure if that method will be a successful method. Does anyone have any ideas how to handle this?

Thanks

[flanzig1]

If the hosting service is paid until the end of August and the Webmail was part of the package, she should still have the right to access the e-mail. Have her call the company and see what they can do.

[Statica]

Most hosts will have the emails as well as other files, unless she specifically asked that they delete her hosting accounts (and related files - email, webpages etc). How is she trying to connect to her old host's webmail? Contacting her old provider will confirm that her old account is still active, and she should also get a direct access method to get to her webmail without having to use her domain name.
If the account is still active, and they require her to use her domain name (eg. http://www.herdomain.com/webmail) to get to it, then she might need to point her DNS back to Homestead; then retrieve her emails.

[lilpenny1316]

She uses a "Check Email" link on the Homestead homepage to check her email. But she has to enter her email address and password. Once she does that, she gets an error message. I assumed that's because they're looking for an email address that has moved from their web servers.

I know her old emails are still on the server because she's still paying through the end of August for the web hosting account even though she has switched her site to a new web host. There's just that worry that they will be difficult intentionally since she is basically taking her money elsewhere. I will keep you updated as to what happens with the situation.

Many Thanks.

[neochivers]

fone them and quote the error code u get, but try not to mention that u switched host

[lilpenny1316]

Well unfortunately they said that once the transfer was made they deleted all the email accounts and the emails associated with them. Does that seem rather odd, considering that account was paid for through Aug 28th? My client had me on the phone as well and talked with them and they said that all web hosts do the same thing once a domain name is transferred from their server.

When I pointed out all the files were still there, they said they backup the files but people don't have a need for their emails to be backed up. Does this make sense? I've been very wary of Homestead as a web host provider and this is confirming to me that they're overpriced for the quality of their service.

[Statica]

Unfortunately, that is the way a number of companies do business. But its a good lesson to learn - to backup files and make sure that you transfer accounts and necessary emails BEFORE notifying the company of cancellation of your service.

[neochivers]

well ull just have to live with out the post