Sent E-mails not leaving "Outbox"

[Guest]

Using Windows XP Pro
MS Office Outlook 2003
Windows Internet Explorer 7

Outlook had been working fine for a couple of months. I then started
receiving many error messages that were one or both of the following:
"Receiving reported error (0x80042108) Outlook is unable to connect to your
outgoing (SMTP) E-mail server"
or
"Sending reported error (0x80042109) Outlook is unabel to connect to your
incoming (Pop3) E-mail server"

Over hours the Incoming E-mail eventually shows up in my "InBox" after
receiving the above error messages; but the messages in my Outbox never
leave. The system continually tries to send the messages from the "Outbox"
which I can monitor looking at the lower right screen information bar; but
never succeeds.

I have double checked all my settings several times following the step by
step instructions in: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287604/en-us

I followed the above instructions when I first got my "Outlook" working
properly a couple of months ago.

I have not added any new software to my hard drive. I have Windows Live-One
care installed. It did notify me about 10 days ago that it located a "Trojan
Horse" virus on my hard drive which I imeediately authorized to remove; which
it did.

The last E-mail I have been able to send through "Outlook" was on June 29th.
I have been by-passing the "Outlook" Send function by going to my MSN page
and logging directly on to use my MSN E-mail account Send function. The
"Outlook" InBox funtion seems to be working somewhat; but it is far from
immediate. I do think I am receiving all my E-mails, eventually through
"Outlook".

What can you recommend to try to fix this problem:

Angus

 

[Guest]

Additional Info 7/07/2007 from Angus:
In Control Panel > "Mail" > Test Account settings >
Tasks Status
Find Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) Completed
Find Incoming Mail Server (Pop3) Completed
Log onto Incoming Mail server (Pop3) Failed
Send Test e-mail message Failed

 

[Guest]

July 10, 2007
(More added information)

I have been trying for many days to get my "pop3" e-mail account in Outlook
to work with no success. I could not send e-mails from outlook as previously
described. Going on strictly trial and error mode I removed my "pop3"
account and installed an "IMAP" account which is now working fine both
writing and receiving e-mail messages in Outlook.

In the research I did before attempting this it appeared as though "IMAP"
would be a viable alternative to "pop3". It appears to be just that.

My question is: what are the upsides and downsides in continuing to use
"IMAP"?
After removing my "pop3" account. above, I added a new "Pop3" account
exactly as I did in getting it to work in the first place; and Outlook would
still not send my outgoing e-mails as previously described. I then removed
"pop3" and added my currently used "IMAP" e-mail account. I have only set up
one "Profile".

Angus

 

[Guest]

Sounds to me like you are not authentacating to your mail server. Did you
check the Outgoing Server tab (My Server Requires Authentacation).

 

[Guest]

My outgoing server tab was checked. I have now switched to "IMAP". I would
be interested in your thoughts on the pros and cons of continuing with
"IMAP". My Outlook system has been working fine now for a couple of weeks
using "IMAP".
Thanks for your interest.

Angus