Haunted by No Socket Error Ghosts- Pls Exorcise!

[Crash999]

I have been using computers for many years and consider myself to be fairly proficient. However, I've had some problems in the past six months that have mystified me.

It began about 6 months ago when I suddenly could not send mail. I was doing everything as before, hadn't installed a thing, hadn't changed a setting, when suddenly I couldn't send mail from either of my accounts on Outlook Express. The most bizarre part was that the 'no socket' error was coming up immediately, without hesitation, seemingly with no data having been sent anywhere.

My conclusion was that this might be a problem with Outlook Express of some sort so I installed Eudora and found exactly the same issue! Ever since then I have been forced to use my ISP's webmail access every time I want to send email- which is a pain.

The next thought I had was that it's probably something messed up internally in Windows that's beyond my help so, when I have time (ha!) I'd reinstall windows and just live with the situation as it stands for now.

However, I am now home setting up a computer for my sister to use. I set up an account on Outlook Express in the standard manner (name, email, pop and smtp info - both verified) and found that it was working correctly and I could download ok. However, when I went to send a test message, it gave me the VERY SAME NO SOCKET ERROR!!!! Same symptoms and everything- an immediate no socket error, seemingly without sending any data to the ISP.

What on Earth is going on here? My laptop that has the same problem is sitting on another table about 10 feet from here- it's not a virus either, unless they both have been hit, as I haven't loaded any programs at all on this new, virgin computer.

So my only conclusion is that I am possessed by an evil spirit that won't allow me to send email.

Can anyone help???
Many thanks in advance!

 

[joegz]

There are different types of error codes that should be displayed when you get a no socket error message. Can you post the entire error message or at least post the error codes? joegz
"Sometimes you just need to find out what it's not first to figure out what it is."

 

[Guest_imported]

In your problem description, you didn't mention the name of your service provider. Are you and your sister by chance using MSN? If so, you may want to look at the following articles:

Q192060 -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192060

Q302339 -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q302339

As joegz mentioned, it would be helpful to have the entire error message. Look forward to hearing back from you.

 

[Crash999]

Hello!

Ok here is the error message:

The host 'smtp.iawhk.com' could not be found. Please verify that you have entered the server name correctly. Account: 'pop.iawhk.com', Server: 'smtp.iawhk.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 11001, Error Number: 0x800CCC0D

The POP address (pop.iawhk.com) works fine.

I'm using AOL but I get this problem no matter which ISP I use.

 

[joegz]

That error code you are getting means that the server can not be found. So the first question is do you have the correct outgoing SMTP server for the ISP you are connected? You have to use the outgoing SMTP server for what ever ISP you are connected with. You can't use someone else's outgoing SMTP server if you are connected to another ISP. joegz
"Sometimes you just need to find out what it's not first to figure out what it is."

 

[CoffeeBuzz]

Is there a chance you're running ZoneAlarm or some other firewall product? Try shutting it down and then sending mail.

 

[Crash999]

Yes I'm sure that this SMTP address is correct as I have used it before from other computers. The port information is also correct - those were the first things I checked.

Nothing like ZoneAlarm or any firewall products installed.

 

[joegz]

Can you ping the server? joegz
"Sometimes you just need to find out what it's not first to figure out what it is."

 

[Crash999]

Great suggestion... and AH HAH!!! I can't ping the server for whatever reason - I can ping pop.iawhk.com but not smtp.iawhk.com.

Time to email our IT manager and ask him to double-check the SMTP information. *fingers crossed*

 

[CoffeeBuzz]

You might try the following:

Launch Outlook Express.
From the Tools menu, choose Accounts.
Select the account and click Properties.
Select the Connection tab and remove the checkmark from "Always Connect To This Account Using."
Click the OK button.

Does your mail SMTP server require authentication? If so, you may need to turn this setting on:
Launch Outlook Express.
From the Tools menu, choose Accounts.
Select the account and click Properties.
Select the Servers tab and add a checkmark "My server requires authentication".
Click the OK button.

Have you called your ISP to verify the server names?
Are you able to ping your mail server?
What operating system are you using?