Error Message: Unable to connect to News Server

[Toppiegtrs]

Connected to "news.saix.net" news server I get the following error message:

Error Message:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Unable to connect to server."
Configiguration:
Account:news.telkomsa.net
Protocol: NNTP
Port: 119
Secure(SSL):0
Code:800ccc0e
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My System Configuration is a s follows:
Operating System: Windows Vista Business Edition
eMail/News Reader program: Windows Mail
Internet connection: Via ADSL router.
Antivirus Program: PC Tools Antispyware Doctor - Updated & Current
Reading eMail messages - No problem!; but ....

Reading/connecting to Newsgroups/servers
I find connecting to the above news server come up with above error message.
However, after trying for more than 10 minutes, it finally does connect
and newsgroup messages then download fine.

This is unusual since I had no problem connecting to news servers before.
I have not installed any new programs for more than 30 days.
I've checked/changed: Antivirus settings/Security settings/Parental
control/Add-on controls/etc.
My ISP says all news servers are working fine on their side ......

Anyone / Network specialists .....Please help.

email address: (e-mail address removed)

 

[Guest]

Connected to "news.saix.net" news server I get the following error
message:

Error Message:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Unable to connect to server."
Configiguration:
Account:news.telkomsa.net
Protocol: NNTP
Port: 119
Secure(SSL):0
Code:800ccc0e
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My System Configuration is a s follows:
Operating System: Windows Vista Business Edition
eMail/News Reader program: Windows Mail
Internet connection: Via ADSL router.
Antivirus Program: PC Tools Antispyware Doctor - Updated & Current
Reading eMail messages - No problem!; but ....

Reading/connecting to Newsgroups/servers
I find connecting to the above news server come up with above error
message.
However, after trying for more than 10 minutes, it finally does connect
and newsgroup messages then download fine.

This is unusual since I had no problem connecting to news servers before.
I have not installed any new programs for more than 30 days.
I've checked/changed: Antivirus settings/Security settings/Parental
control/Add-on controls/etc.
My ISP says all news servers are working fine on their side ......

Anyone / Network specialists .....Please help.

email address: (e-mail address removed)

Some antivirus programs cause assorted problems in Windows
Mail, although seldom immediately. You might want to check if
that one offers you the choice of disabling scanning of newsgroups
and email, and it so, select the option which disables it. If that
doesn't help, see if you have the option of disabling the entire
antivirus program, and if so, check if it helps to disable it before
you start Windows Mail.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

news.telkomsa.net is an alias for news.saix.net. Both have the same
IP address. The server is definitely live, but I was not able to connect
to it on port 119. That's not unusual because some ISPs restrict
usage to users actually on their network. Were you in fact connected
to the Internet via SAIX when you got that error message?

 

[Larry@Lost]

I have the same problem with windstream ISP newsgroups. I called Windstream
after an hour on the phone with two different tech's they finally said this
is a Microsoft issue.
"Unable to Connect to Server"
Account: news.windstream.net
Protocol: NNTP
Port: 119
Secure(SSL):0
Code:800ccc0e

Does anyone have a cure for this problem? I'm using Windows Vista Ultimate
32 but have the same problem with another PC running XP.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

I had no problem connecting to news.windstream.net.
Do you have any third party security programs that might interfere?
A firewall is the most likely culprit.

If you have the same problem with an XP system, look for a common
factor, such as a router, or the same type of firewall.

 

[Toppiegtrs]

Yes, I have in fact been connected via ADSL line to the ISP: Telkomsa.net.
Sending/reading normal email with no problems. My ISP techy states their news
server is running normal.
Reading news messages from Microsoft Communities News Message server poses
no problem at all. Speed and access is fast.
On news.saix.net news server, however, the error message still persists via
port 119.
I've disabled and later uninstalled all antivirus programs and also opened
my firewall completely.
NO CHANGE in error message status.
I am now contemplating reinstalling Windows Vista Business, but would like
any other positive feedback before doing this drastic step.
Any advice/help greatly appreciated.

 

[Toppiegtrs]

How do we contact/inform MicroSoft of this problem?
Any suggestions for a solution to this stupidity?
Maybe a boycot of MS products?.... hmmmmmm
Anyone to help other than just suggestions please?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Before you go to the extent of reinstalling Vista, try a different news
reader program. Your problem doesn't appear to be caused by
Windows Mail, but you never know until you try something else.
For a quick test, install Thunderbird, and try its news reader.
For a more elaborate test, install Windows Live Mail, which will
import all your WM settings, accounts, and emails.

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

If no improvement, try a Telnet test. If you have not already installed
the Telnet client, go to Control Panel, Programs and Features, and
in the left pane click on "Turn Windows features on or off".
It will take a while for that window to load. Scroll down to Telnet Client,
select it, click OK. Now open a Command Prompt and type
telnet news.telkomsa.net 119
Press Enter and wait for a response. Let me know if the server responds.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Windows Mail is a dead end product, and Microsoft is not accepting
any feedback for it. Microsoft recommends you switch to the newer
replacement program, Windows Live Mail.
You can submit feedback for WLM here:
https://feedback.live.com/default.aspx?productkey=wlmaildesktop

The particular problem you are referring to is not caused by Windows
Mail. Newsgroups work fine on my Windows Mail.

 

[Larry@Lost]

Gary, it was my DSL modem's firewall, it was set on high. But still know why
all of the sudden it decided newgroups were off limits. I had to turn it off
to connect. Even a low setting wound not function. Windows mail was listed
on the modem's firewall allow access list. Took you advice changed over to
Windows Live Mail.

Thanks, Larry

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Thanks for your feedback.