Ok, so I have Outlook 2003 installed on my computer and I have it configured to for getting my email from my domain server (I call support for my host and they walked me through it). But it still isn't working right and keeps asking for my network server password. The support guy was at a loss as to what the problem is and suggested I contact Microsoft about it.

I don't have a need to use Outlook and can get my email through other means (via webmail.) But I'm wondering if I need to put more time and effort into getting this figured out. Is there a reason that I'd have to be using Outlook with my clients? I'm assuming if they wanted me to manage their emails and they were using Outlook that they'd have to give me remote access their computer. I think I recall seeing a thread that indicated to get their Outlook in sync with mine, then I'd have to using an Exchange server.

Can someone more familiar with using Outlook in general and for their business, please enlighten me a bit?

I guess I was pretty spoiled coming from county government and just being able to have the IT people fix whatever was wrong!

Thanks in advance!

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Originally Posted by pdxblueskie

I don't have a need to use Outlook and can get my email through other means (via webmail.) But I'm wondering if I need to put more time and effort into getting this figured out. Is there a reason that I'd have to be using Outlook with my clients?

I'll answer this question. I don't use Outlook. I use Thunderbird. I absolutely hate Outlook and have had horrible problems with it whenever I've tried using it. You can use webmail to access your email but you often have to watch storage issues. With Thunderbird or Outlook you download the email to your computer which makes it nice for saving old e-mails which is a good idea (I can't tell you how many times I've referenced old e-mails). That's really the only concern I'd have with using webmail solely.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

Hi Kim
I prefer mail systems like Outlook (I was on Outlook Express, am now on Windows Live Mail) just because it allows me to set rules and divert messages to specific folders upon receipt. With so many clients emailing and just as many client-domain based emails of my own to manage it helps me stay organized in one place. If/when I have to check all of my email accounts via webmail it takes longer and I don't have as clean a record of who I mailed when. The search feature is one I use very often as well...just more functionality than webmail I guess.

In Microsoft's email programs there is a field for 'my server requires authentication' - it's possible you need to go in there and set that part up as well - the it should stop asking you for the password each time. I'm not sure where in Outlook it is, but it should be somewhere in (or similar to) Accounts ----->Choose account ------> Properties ------> Servers -----> My Server Requires Authentication (check the box and hit the 'settings' button - then fill it in with your FULL email address and password. Hopefully that will solve the problem!

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Kim - (& Tess) - isn't it true that Windows Vista is incompatible with Outlook? The satellite server I have doesn't work at all with it. So I use Windows Mail, and find it perfectly satisfactory.
Do you have Vista, Kim? The password/authentication problem was where I got stumped with Outlook too.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Yes Mary you're right that you can't use any Microsoft email program with Vista other than Windows Live Mail, but the settings and account setup process are essentially similar. I'm on Windows Live Mail now and love it, but it has pretty much the same functionality as Outlook and Outlook Express.

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changing these settings may help.

In the control panel
Under mail
Exchange server settings (email accounts)
More settings (Microsoft exchange server)

Check the Connection tab, make sure its set to connect using lan.

Also under the security tab
Put Logon security to Password authentication
Uncheck always prompt.


And the next time the logon box comes up
Check the 'remember me' check box.

Sigh...yes, I'm on Vista. Perhaps this is problem. I will try the server auth thing, but support guy said I didn't need it...but this is the same guy that didn't even ask if I had Vista. I guess I will have to check into something else because I do like being able to search and sort as Tess mentioned- I hadn't thought about that part.

I just did a search for Window Live Mail and since it is free, I will give it is a try.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I knew I'd get the answer I needed here.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

I downloaded and installed Windows Live Mail and set it up for my email...and I'm getting the same Error Message!! ARGH!

I guess I will just have to research further or find a MS forum to post on and see if I can figure it out. Since I'm getting the same message for both, then it must be something I'm doing or some setting that isn't set up correctly.

I did read last night though that MS Outlook '03 is supposed to be compatible with Vista but that older versions are not. Don't know if that's correct or not.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

I hadn't realized that Outlook 03 was compatible...good to know, but I'm pretty happy with Windows Live Mail.

I'm going into one of my own email accounts and I'll just note here what boxes I have checked, etc. so you can compare....maybe that will help. I have a feeling your ISP has blocked port 25....??

OK - so in Accounts -----> my email account
I click Properties -----> on the first tab GENERAL - all fields are filled in and 'include this account....' is checked

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SERVERS tab

Incoming mail is POP3

Incoming mail and outgoing mail would be either your own email server or your ISP (oftentimes if your ISP blocks port 25 you need to enter THEIR mail server for ourgoing mail only...have you checked that as a possible issue??)

Incoming mail server email username = your FULL email address
Password = your pass

Check the box that says 'remember my pass...'

I do not utilize any of the server auth. fields below that checkbox.

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CONNECTION and SECURITY tabs are not important here

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ADVANCED TAB

Outgoing PORT = 25

Incoming PORT = 110

(the rest is not important to your issue, but you do not need SSL, I'm assuming, etc.)

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Check it out and let me know....if it still isn't working I'm guessing you need to set your outgoing mail server to whatever your ISP is....they likely have port 25 blocked.

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I use Windows Live Mail as well. It is lacking some of the features of Outlook, but I'm happy with it. I use google calendar for keeping track of appointments.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services