roddy Posted January 24, 2008 at 10:46 AM Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 at 10:46 AM This morning Thunderbird suddenly started asking me for my SMTP password when sending email. Normally it stores the password and sends automatically. When I entered the password it didn't accept it - just kept on asking until I gave up. Initially I thought this would be an issue at my webhosts. However I now find that when I connect to my VPN, I can send with no problems. I've been in touch with the webhosts and all they can see is an authentication failure, no indication of what's causing it (passwords have been triple checked, btw). Given that it only happens when working directly with my Netcom connection, and not via VPN, I'm wondering if it's something 'local' - there is a precedent. I've been advised to set up an SSL connection to SMTP, which I'll do later, but wanted to check to see if anyone else is having similar issues. I'm in Dalian, if it makes any odds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senzhi Posted January 24, 2008 at 05:11 PM Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 at 05:11 PM From my location, I have never been able to do anything unless I went through SSL. Without SSL no SMTP. And of course, that doesn't make things quicker neither. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted January 28, 2008 at 05:04 AM Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 at 05:04 AM Still not having any luck, even with SSL enabled. Not sure what to try next, and I don't know if it's a blocking issue, or if something has got messed up on my machine, or what. Guess it just means I'll get more value for money out of my VPN. Also, and not sure if this is relevant. If I use SSL AND my VPN I get the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ipsi() Posted January 28, 2008 at 11:12 PM Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 at 11:12 PM Do a google search. I remember my Thunderbird doing exactly the same thing (I think while in New Zealand), and I just had to switch something off to get it to work again, but I can't remember what it was. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted January 29, 2008 at 12:58 AM Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 at 12:58 AM I've done quite a bit of searching, but haven't been able to find anything that fixes it. Also, it doesn't appear to be a Thunderbird issue alone - other applications using SMTP are also having problems. If you remember what it was you did let me know and I'll give it a shot though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
self-taught-mba Posted January 29, 2008 at 05:21 AM Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 at 05:21 AM MY SMTP works ok. (SSL through a different email program) Piping through to Gmail. Maybe local? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted February 5, 2008 at 09:53 AM Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 at 09:53 AM This has now been solved, and it turns out not to be a China issue at all. A glitch with the hosts payment processing had meant fees for SMTP use weren't taken, so the service was withdrawn. However, another glitch meant that in some cases - ie via VPN - it continued working - meaning that neither I nor the hosts thought 'hmmm, has the bill been paid' . . . Thanks for all suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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