can't send e-mail

[Chuck]

I am trying send to send from home. I have the same issue on several
different PC's on my local network (or connected directly to the cable modem
without the router) with McAfee software but disabling the antivirus does
not seen to fix the issue.

I keep getting this message when I try to send e-mail. COX has been no
help, any suggestions

The connection to the server has failed. Subject 'Fw: NSUMC Education
Service & Fair 8/24/08', Account: 'pop.west.cox.net', Server:
'smtp.west.cox.net', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket
Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

McAfee antivirus is among the top three troublemakers for Windows Mail.
Sometimes it takes a while before symptoms start showing up.
The only way you can prove or disprove that McAfee is the culprit is to
uninstall it, followed by using their debris removal tool:
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=107083&lc=1033

If you decide to replace McAfee, there are free antivirus programs
which are more compatible with Windows Mail:


AVG free edition:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=aff
and
Avast free edition:
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

However, with either of those, during the install phase you must select
'custom' install, and then deselect the email scanning module so it won't install.

Instead of switching to a different antivirus, another option is to upgrade
to Windows Live Mail (WLM), which is more resistant to the adverse effects
of aggressive antivirus products: http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

Even with WLM, you must disable email scanning in the antivirus,
for the reason explained here:
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm

 

[Pete]

I had a similar problem which started today out of nowhere. Both office
computers (one XP one vista) could receive pop3 mail but not send out smtp
using windows mail and outlook. Got the same socket error message you did,
which is basically a generic message if the host can't be reached. After
unistalling mcafee and hours of reading and troubleshooting I discovered that
port 25 was being blocked, and Comcast tech support was able to confirm this.
They had me use port 587 instead which is common with many ISPs as an
alternate. I had actually tried troubleshooting using this port before
talking to them but it didnt work because they now also require
authentication from me now on their smtp server, using my comcast username
and password. I read about other people with the same problem, comcaast
blocked port 25 out of no where, claiming it was due to possible email worm
coming from their account's IP. The tech was unable to tell me why I was
chosen.

It may be the problem youare having with Cox. Try port 587 instead of port
25, it's set in the advanced settings under your mail account info in
outlook/windows mail.

Also, this Im sure doesn't apply to you but for others with this error,
make sure you don't have use SSL checked for outgoing smtp unless it's
provided by your isp. And try disable your pc firewall software to see if
it's being blocked there.