[kingcrimson]

Hi all,

I'm having a problem with my mail account here. I suspect it is not something unique to total choice, since I had the same problem at my previous host.

Simply put - some e-mail attachments cause my mail client to hang, whilst in the process of downloading a message. The client I am using is outlook express. My previous hosting company told me to "use another client", since that was the problem. I do not think this should be the answer, but I am willing to entertain the idea.

So, which client should I be using? Anyone got something that works for them?

Thanks!
kc

[Lianna]

First, we need some more info. Are you on a dialup connection and have you talked to your ISP about this issue? What version of OE are you using and have you made sure it is up to date with the latest and greatest of offered updates from Microsoft? Last, have you tested the receipt of large attachments using another client and if so what were the results?

Here's my take. Since you've had the problem with both hosts, that eliminates them from the 'cause' list.

If you have tested with another client (pc based, not web based), and the results were the same, seems apparent that your ISP would be the one to talk to. There may well be a choke in their system or they have a "period of inactivity" setting in place. You see, when you are downloading, the ISP may actually see you as Idle because you are not initiating interaction with the web (upstream traffic).

Check out any freeware pc base email application to test the 'client-culprit' theory first if you haven't done so. You can download and install Eudora Light to test. It's free and the download will take 15-30 min. on a dialup.

Let me know what happens with all of this info and possible testing.
Lianna

[kingcrimson]

Yes, I am on a dialup connection, through an analog router. Version of OE is 6.0, but not up to date with the latest and greatest. Using Eudora (free), the result was that I got about 86k of an approx 400k attachment, no error message presented, and the message was not removed from the server.

I finally went into Neomail and deleted the offending message (this is the way the problem was solved previously too).

As far as my ISP is concerned, the problem could very well be with them. They are totally clueless, and I feel that is not worth the time and aggravation for me to contact them. Of course, the problem could be my router as well, but I do not think it is that.

If others are not experiencing the same problem, then I strongly suspect it is them.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Lianna]

So same problem using Eudora, right? Then I agree, the most likely spot is the ISP....except that you mention a router. You have a router?

Are you using the router to share the dialup or just network? If for sharing the dialup, have you tested your mail directly with the dialup (bypassing the router)?

See troubleshooting some of these issues is like paring an apple. Start by taking off the stem, then the peel, then eventually you can get to the core. But you have to test the elimination at each step to isolate the source.

Every piece of hardware, and some software, that you put into the mix can make the outcome a bit different, like adding cinnamon, but no nutmeg, you know? Makes that apple pie taste different.

Are you comfortable using Horde or Neomail? That may be a less aggrivating solution for you.

Lianna

[Lianna]

By the way, I'm thinking about this being an ISP issue? You could test that too by trying to access your mail from another pc using another ISP, still set up with OE6.

Lianna

[Head Guru]

Dollars to Donuts its the router.

[kingcrimson]

You guys are going to be dissapointed with this. Here is what I've tried so far:

1. Eudora thru router, result is <100k of approx 400k message received. No error message.
2. Dial-up direct, same result with OE and pegasus
3. Dial-up thru AOL (i.e. different ISP), same result both programs

Since deleting the previous problem e-mail, I got another one that I am having trouble with. If you want, access my account, and try to download the messgaes there.

kc

[Lianna]

Sounds like you could use a new computer.

Joking.

Call Ma Bell and ask what's the deal. So if you eliminate the router, the app, the isp, the phone line's about all that's left? Have you gone to a buddy's house and tried to access your mail?


Lianna

[kingcrimson]

Well, it looks like whatever e-mail server program that is being used does not talk to any of the e-mail clients i've tried (three so far).

This is not meant as an indictment of you guys, since I understand that many hosts use the same server package. But I think it points to a generic problem within that server.

Right now I am reduced to using wbemail for everything, which is not a good solution for me. I archive much of my e-mail, and it is clumsy to do within that interface.

kc

[Lianna]

Here, I'll drop this little bit in the mix.
1) If anyone emails me an .exe file, it gets dumped. Immediately, by me. No questions, no followup. Maybe rude, but my $ comes from my pc and I'm protective of it.

2) In using Microsoft Outlook (not Express), that comes packaged with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, etc.), I have found that Microsoft doesn't even trust Microsoft. Check this out. Outlook will block all attachments (with NO choice being given to the user) of all attachments with the extension .mdb. That's an Access Database file. What the heck is that?

My vote (like it counts): let Bill block the exe's so I don't have to. I would much rather ask the sender to zip a file to send it than deal with the hassle and potential risk of receiving a nasty virus.


My opinion, not necessarily that of TCH.
Lianna

[Head Guru]

Well if you can download and view your webmail that should point back to a problem with the client side, not the server side.

Is this the case?

[kingcrimson]

Unfortunately, every client I have tried so far (now 4) does not work. They all get to a certain point when downloading the first message, and halt. The four I tried were Outlook Express 6, Outlook 2000, Pegasus and Eudora. One would think that one of those clients should work.

I don't understand it, I can get e-mail all day, as long as there are no attachments.

And yes, webmail works fine.

BTW, the attachments are zipped.

kc

[kingcrimson]

SOLVED!

It turns out to be the fault of a little program that I run called Cystalfontz CrystalControl (it runs the LCD readout on my case). I had it configured to check the server to see if I had any new mail at regular intervals, and to display the number of new messages.

Anyway, there must be a problem when this program and one of the clients is running at the same time.

Thanks for the suggestions.
kc

[Lianna]

Whew! Glad that's over!

Another advantage to trying out a buddy's computer to see if it works from there.

So you're a happy camper now?

Lianna

[kingcrimson]

Well, I don't know if I am happy in the broadest sense of the word, but for this specific instance, I am quite happy.


kc