OL2000: (CW) Connection Error Using AT&T Internet Mail

ID: Q196081

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Outlook 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.
Following this message, you may notice that sent mail does not leave your Outbox.


CAUSE

This problem may result from either of the following:

  • Incorrect settings in the Internet E-Mail service properties


  • Corrupted user profile


  • Corrupted user password list (.pwl)



RESOLUTION

To correctly configure the Internet E-mail service, follow these steps to troubleshoot this problem:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click the Mail (or Mail And Fax) icon.


  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 and 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 E-Mail, and then click Properties. On the Servers tab in the Outgoing Mail (SMTP) box, type (in lowercase) "mailhost.worldnet.att.net" or the IP address, "204.127.129.4" (without the quotation marks).

    NOTE: AT&T also has a new SMTP address: mailhost.att.net. Make sure you use the correct address for your mailbox.


  6. In the Incoming Mail (POP3) box, type (in lowercase) "postoffice.worldnet.att.net" or the IP address, "204.127.3.1" (without the quotation marks).

    NOTE: AT&T also has a new POP3 address: postoffice.att.net. IP addresses or literal names for mail servers may change, especially if additional servers are added by the provider. If your mail server information is different than listed here, use the server names provided by AT&T. Make sure you use the correct address for your mailbox. If your mail server information is different than listed here, use the server name provided by AT&T.


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


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


Start Outlook and send a message.

Creating a New Password List File

If the above steps do not resolve the error referenced in the "Symptoms" section, your user password list may be damaged. The password list maintains a cache of user passwords used on your computer. To create a new password list, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.


  2. In the Named box, type "*.pwl" (without quotation marks) and click Find Now.


  3. Right-click the file named <username>.pwl, and click Rename on the shortcut menu.


  4. Rename the file to <username>.old, and then press ENTER.

    NOTE: If you are using a personal certificate, you should export it before renaming your .pwl file. If you do not do so, it may be unavailable when you send e-mail. For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    Q190296 Unable to Use Personal Certificates in Outlook Express


  5. Restart Windows.


You will be prompted to enter a new password before entering Windows.


MORE INFORMATION

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


   800-400-1447
   800-654-5703


For step-by-step instructions on configuring Outlook with AT&T World Net, visit the AT&T World Net User's Reference Guide at the following Web address:
http://www.wurd.com/wurd/software/emailclients/outlook2.htm
The third-party contact information included in this article is provided to help you find the technical support you need. This contact information is subject to change without notice. Microsoft in no way guarantees the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

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

For more information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q195922 : OL2000: How to Troubleshoot Mail Stuck in the Outbox

Additional query words: OL2K

Keywords : kbdta CfgIM Intp3rdPty
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: May 14, 1999
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