OL97: Connection Error Using AT&T Internet Mail with Outlook

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Outlook 97 or first connect to your AT&T Internet Mail server, you may receive the following error message:

   Dial-up networking settings not valid. Please check your password.

WORKAROUND

This problem may result from incorrect settings in the Internet Mail service properties, a corrupted user profile, or a corrupted password (.pwl) file. Follow these steps to troubleshoot this problem:

Incorrect Settings in the Internet Mail Service

NOTE: For information on changing the settings using the Internet Mail Enhancement Patch, see the section that follows these steps.

1. From the Windows Desktop, click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel to open Control Panel.

2. Double-click to open the Mail And Fax icon. You may only have a Mail icon if you did not install Fax services.

3. If you have more than one profile, click the Show Profiles button and under the General tab, click the profile that contains your AT&T Internet Mail settings.

4. Click the Properties button to open the Profile Properties dialog box. Under the Services tab, you should see the Internet Mail service. If not, use the Add button to add Internet Mail.

5. Under the Services tab, click Internet Mail, and then click the Properties button to open the Internet Mail Properties dialog box.

6. Under the General tab and Mailbox Information type, IN LOWER CASE, postoffice.worldnet.att.net (or the IP address, 204.127.3.1) in the Internet Mail Server box.

   NOTE: If your mail server information is different than listed above, use the server name provided by AT&T.

7. In the Account Name box, type the user's e-mail name and fill in the rest of the Mailbox and Personal Information.

8. Click the Advanced Options button to open the Advanced Options dialog box.

9. In the "Forward all outbound mail to the following mail server" box type, IN LOWER CASE, mailhost.worldnet.att.net (or the IP address, 204.127.129.4).

   NOTE: If your forwarding (sending) mail server information is different than listed above, use the server name provided by AT&T.

10. Click OK, OK, OK, and Close to close all dialog boxes.

Incorrect Settings Using the Internet Mail Enhancement Patch Service

1. From the Windows Desktop, click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel to open Control Panel.

2. Double-click to open the Mail And Fax icon. You may only have a Mail icon if you did not install Fax services.

3. If you have more than one profile, click Show Profiles and on the General tab, click the profile that contains your AT&T Internet Mail settings.

4. Click Properties to open the Profile Properties. On the Services tab, you should see the Internet Mail service. If not, use the Add button to add Internet Mail.

5. On the Services tab, click Internet Mail, and then click Properties to open the Internet Mail Properties.

6. Click the Servers tab and in the Outgoing Mail (SMTP) box type, IN LOWERCASE, mailhost.worldnet.att.net (or the IP address, 204.127.129.4).

7. In the Incoming Mail (POP3) box type, IN LOWERCASE, postoffice.worldnet.att.net (or the IP address, 204.127.3.1).

   NOTE: If your mail server information is different than listed above, use the server names provided by AT&T.

8. In Account Name, type the user's e-mail name up to, but not including the @ symbol, and in Password, type in your password.

9. Click OK, OK, and Close to close all dialog boxes.

Corrupted User Profile

Rebuild a new user profile with a new Personal Store file (PST) and the Internet Mail service.

1. Quit Outlook if it is running.

2. In Control Panel, double-click the Mail And Fax icon or the Mail icon.

3. Click Show Profiles and click Add to add a new profile.

4. Follow the Inbox Setup Wizard to create a new profile with a new PST and the Internet Mail service.

Corrupted Password File

This file is usually located in the Windows folder with a name of <username>.pwl, where <username> is the name used to logon. Delete or rename this file then restart Windows. A new one will be built when you logon.

Start Outlook and try to send a message.

MORE INFORMATION

AT&T's Internet Mail system uses one server for receipt of messages and a second server for sending messages. In the Internet Mail service profile, the Internet Mail server box identifies the mail server from which you receive mail. The Advanced Options of the Internet Mail service profile enables you to name the sending e-mail server.

To obtain your personal AT&T e-mail account information call one of these two telephone numbers:

   800-400-1447
   800-654-5703

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

   ARTICLE-ID: Q162343
   TITLE     : OL97: How to Troubleshoot Mail Stuck in the Outbox