Setting up Outlook using a DSN connection...

Greetings, brucegust !

You should select connect using your LAN.  In Internet Explorer, Tools > Internet Options > Connections, make sure the connection is also for LAN.  Check if proxy is set incorrectly.

Best wishes!

I'm still getting a message that says I'm unable to connect to the server. Error Number 0x800ccc0e.

What do you think?

Does other applications have connection to internet?  Browser?  Instant Messenger? Do you use an Exchange?  Proxy?

Do you have any security (e.g. firewall, antivirus, antispam, .etc) software that protects e-mail or communictions?  If yes, try uninstalling that/those programs and try again.

Please also confirm that the outlook account settings are also correct. Your isp should provide you with the steps on how to set up the connection or a software which would generate the settings. Once in place and if you use xp, you need to allow outlook access through the firewall.

When I hit Send / Receive, there's a bar that I'm thinking should be moving that says an Internet connection is being made. It's not budging.

I do have a working connection. My firewall settings, from what I can tell, are what they should be. I did contact my ISP today and they gave me my settings (mail.mywebaddress.com)...

Anything else that I can try?

Did you disable antivirus checking of email? Or disable antivirus all together?

Where would you go to do that?

I've opened up my "Windows Security" box and "Virus Protection" is on, but I don't see anything that references email specifically.

What antivirus are you using?  Settings depends on your antivirus program. It would normally be in the antivirus preference or option menu.  Can you disable antivirus protection altogether temporarily?  Then you can test whether Outlook will connect to internet.

I'm using AVG Free Edition. I did disable it and saw no change.

I tried different scenarios as far as my "secure login" and was able to get my mail downloaded, but then the next time I tried it, I got an error.

Something's funky and I don't know what.

What scenario worked to get the one download?  Disable firewall, antivirus, antispam, and antispyware?

The "scenario" that I was referring to wasn't about my security settings. What I did was unchecked "Logon using Secure Password Authentication." When I did that, I was able to receive mail, but I still can't send anything.

What is the error message when you try to send?  Make sure outgoing server authentication is selected.

Unable to connect to the server: (Account: 'General Mail Account', SMTP Server: 'mail.brucegust.com', Error Number: 0x800ccc0e).

1. Check these important settings:
a. My outgoing server requires authentication (or Password or Challenge/Response for iMac)
b. Change the server timeout time from 1 min to 5 min
c. Try alternate SMTP port number: 587.

2. Do you have a firewall blocking the connection?  Email virus checking?  Popup Blocker? Temporarily disable them.

3. Update Outlook to latest configuration. Outlook 2000 should have SP3. Outlook 2002 should have SP3.  Outlook 2003 should have SP2.

I did everything except the "latest configuration." How do you accomplish that?

I did all the updates and still no luck.

Are you using a router when using DSL and not using router when using LAN?  If so, the router can be the problem. Try connecting without a router.

Sorry, but how would you connect without a router?

Connect your DLS modem directly into the computer network card.

OK, here's what I've learned:

I've talked to my ISP Administrator and according to him there should be no problem with Outlook as there are several clients who use it, so...

I just came back from the Microsoft page and they mention that I may very well have a problem with Winsock or MAPI.

Does that make any sense to you?

By the way, I'm having the same problem with Outlook Express.

brucegust,

If you have a winsock, run this script to reset your winsock and TCP/IP stack.
http://downloads.subratam.org/WinsockFix.zip

I ran the winsok script you sent me (thanks!) and I'm still getting an error when I go to send my email. Now it reads:

Server Response: '250 SIZE 26214400'. (Account: 'General Mail Account', SMTP Server: 'mail.bellsouth.net', Error Number: 0x800ccc7d).

Just for grins, I tried my own ISP mail server to see if it would make any difference as opposed to using bellsouth and here's the error I got when I tried that:

Unable to connect to the server. Server Response: '250 SIZE 26214400'. (Account: 'Gnereal Mail account', SMTP Server: 'mail.brucegust.com', Error Number: 0x800ccc8e).

1. Check these important settings:
a. My outgoing server requires authentication (or Password or Challenge/Response for iMac)
b. Change the server timeout time from 1 min to 5 min
c. Try alternate SMTP port number: 587.

2. Do you have a firewall blocking the connection?  Email virus checking?  Popup Blocker? Temporarily disable them.

3. Update Outlook to latest configuration. Outlook 2000 should have SP3. Outlook 2002 should have SP3.  Outlook 2003 should have SP2.

You sent that last communique once before. That's all been done...

When you open up Outlook 2000/2003 account properties, had you set up a pop account or set up the email as an Exchange account? Please confirm that the account is setup for POP. In 2000 the option is at Outlook > Tools > Options > Mail Delivery > Reconfigure Mail Support.