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

ID: Q162493

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


RESOLUTION

This problem may result from:

  • Incorrect settings in the Internet Mail service properties


  • A corrupted user profile


  • A corrupted password (.pwl) file


Incorrect Settings in the Internet Mail Service

NOTE: For step-by-step instructions on configuring Outlook with AT&T World Net, visit the ATT World Net User's Reference Guide at the following Web address:
http://www.wurd.com/wurd/software/emailclients/outlook.htm
For information on changing the settings using the Internet Mail Enhancement Patch, see the section that follows these steps.
  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 the Show Profiles button 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 Mail, and then click Properties.


  6. On the General tab, under Mailbox Information type (in lowercase) "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 here, 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 lowercase) "mailhost.worldnet.att.net" or the IP address 204.127.129.4.

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


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


Start Outlook and try to send a message.

Incorrect Settings Using the Internet Mail Enhancement Patch Service

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


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


  6. 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.


  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 here, use the server name 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 your password.


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


Start Outlook and try to send a message.

Corrupted User Profile

To rebuild a new user profile with a new Personal Store file (PST) and the Internet Mail service, follow these steps:
  1. Quit Outlook if it is running.


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


Start Outlook and try to send a message.

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 log on. Delete or rename this file then restart Windows. A new one will be built when you logon.

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
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 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:

Q162343 OL97: How to Troubleshoot Mail Stuck in the Outbox

Keywords : kbdta CfgIM
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: September 28, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.