Outgoing Server (SMTP) Error

[kram 2.0]

This problem has been puzzling me for days and I can't seem to find the answer.

In the past month or so, I've been having trouble with sending emails - everytime I send/receive, the email client gives me an error. This occurs in several email accounts - SBC accounts, University accounts, etc, all of which use an email client. I'm suspecting either the router firewall (which was fine up to this point), or a ISP firewall - I'm not entirely sure. I've tried it in two different email clients (Apple iMail, and MS Outhouse Express), and two different OS/systems (Apple OSX Panther and MS Windows XP Pro).

The reason I suspected something on my internet connection was because the emails could be sent fine on other internet connections - for example, at school. Any ideas as to what this may be?

Thanks.
kram

[Force Flow]

Check the port numbers, SSL security settings (on or off), and security authorization settings.

[kram 2.0]

After determining that it was an ISP side problem (router was not the culprit), I gave my ISP/Internet service a call. It ended up that they do have a firewall installed that would block any SMTP outside of its own...odd. I had to use their SMTP while still using the original ISP email address (so for example, still use username@comcast.net but use smtp.myisp.net for SMTP address)...that puzzled me, but it worked. Cincinnati Bell's DSL has been throwing some curve balls at me.

For a note for others who also come across this problem - FF reminded me in the post above - disable SSL (an "open" SMTP server...another oddity) and any other security authorization settings and then if it doesn't get it done, turn on security settings one at a time.

Thanks.
kram

[kstatefan40]

I'm amazed they let you relay e-mails off their SMTP server... I can just imagine the Spam that gets relayed from there. I've heard of an inbound port 25 block, but I didn't know they *ever* blocked outbound. Very strange practice.

[glc]

No, it's not odd, it's very common now. The ONLY SMTP that I can use on my Earthlink DSL is Earthlink's. SBC has recently blocked 3rd party SMTP too. They also require authentication.