Solving Problems with Receiving Mail

There are two common reasons that you may have problems sending mail through our system. This can happen if changes are made in your computer's e-mail setup, and can also happen if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sets restrictions in effort to curb malicious use of e-mail. Please review the following settings in your e-mail software.

Reason #1: SMTP authentication settings

PortalMedia's E-mail Services requires SMTP Authentication. This must be enabled in your e-mail software. Review the step-by-step setup instructions for the e-mail software you are using to ensure these settings are correct. Screenshots for common programs are shown below:


Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and Outlook XP/2002: From within the account settings, click on 'More Settings' and then click on the 'Outgoing Server' tab to ensure that SMTP authentication is enabled and set to use the same settings as the incoming mail server.	Microsoft Outlook Express and Outlook 2000: From within the account settings, click on the 'Servers' tab to ensure that SMTP authentication is enabled. Then click on the 'Settings' button and in the box that opens, make sure that it is set to use the same settings as the incoming mail server.

Mail for Mac OS X: In the Account preferences, click on the 'Server Settings' button, select 'MD5 Challenge-Response' for authentication, and enter your User Name and Password for your mailbox.	Microsoft Entourage: In the Account settings beneath the SMTP server, click on 'click here for advanced sending options' to ensure that SMTP authentication is enabled, and that you are set to use the same settings as receiving mail server.

Reason #2: Your ISP may be restricting the TCP port used for sending e-mail

An increasing number of Internet Service Providers are starting to block the default TCP port for sending e-mail (port 25) to systems that are outside of the ISP's range (which would include PortalMedia). These ISPs include major providers like Earthlink, AT&T/Yahoo, Charter, and others.

To get around this restriction, we along with several mail hosting providers offer outgoing e-mail connections on TCP port 587. Screens shots on how to do this with common e-mail programs are showed below:


Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and Outlook XP/2002: From within the account settings, click on 'More Settings' and then click on the 'Advanced' tab. Change the Outgoing server (SMTP) setting to 587 and click OK to save your settings.	Microsoft Outlook Express and Outlook 2000: From within the account settings, click on the 'Advanced' tab. Change the Outgoing server (SMTP) setting to 587 and click OK to save your settings.

Mail for Mac OS X: In the Account preferences, click on the 'Server Settings' button, and change the Server port setting to 587.	Microsoft Entourage: In the Account settings beneath the SMTP server, click on 'click here for advanced sending options'. Check the checkbox to override default SMTP port, and change the setting to 587.

Setting the outgoing TCP port to 587 is recommended for all traveling laptop users.
Laptop users who are constantly on-the-go connect their laptops to many networks. We believe that changing your outgoing TCP port to 587 will help you communicate better using your PortalMedia mailbox without running into problems or constantly changing your settings as you travel from network to network.