UNABLE TO SEND OUTGOING MAIL

When using email client software such as Microsoft Outlook or Netscape Messenger,  some ISPs including:

• AOL
• AT&T
• EarthLink
• MindSpring
• MSN
• NetZero
• Prodigy Internet
• Sprynet
• WorldNet

may require you to send all outgoing messages through their mail servers.  Although you can receive your email, you will get a message similar to the one below when you attempt to send email: 

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'imail.acmeinfo.com', Server: 'imail.acmeinfo.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

This is done by your dialup ISP to force all outgoing mail from their network to flow through their mail servers.  The purpose of this is to block connections to remote outgoing mail servers to discourage the distribution of bulk email (junk mail or spam).  Unfortunately, it does inconvenience legitimate email users too.

If your Internet Access Provider blocks outgoing mail that is not relayed through their mail servers, you may still use Acme Internet's WebMail Server at imail.acmeinfo.com to send email from your account.  You can also use your existing email account with your ISP to send mail.  For the latter, you must configure your outgoing SMTP server to use your ISP to send email: 

• If you're using DCAnet, enter postoffice.dca.net
• If you're using AT&T WorldNet, enter mailhost.worldnet.att.net
• If you're using MindSpring, enter smtp.mindspring.com
• If you're using Microsoft's MSN, enter smtp.email.msn.com
• If you're using Prodigy Internet, enter smtp.prodigy.net
• If you're using Sprynet, enter smtp.sprynet.com
• If you're using EarthLink, enter mail.earthlink.net
• If you're using NetZero, enter smtp.netzero.net
• If you're using another ISP, contact your ISP for the correct setting for their outgoing (or "SMTP") mail server.

Also see: Configuring SMTP Authentication