Outlook 2003 sporadically fails POP authentication

[Guest]

I have two computers, one runs XP with Outlook 2003, the other 98SP2 with
Outlook 2000. Both computers poll the same POP server. Sporadically (a
dozen times a day) the machine equipped with Outlook 2003 will fail to
authenticate when polling my POP server resulting in an error message
suggesting I might have entered the wrong password. It almost always
authenticates on a re-try. This doesn't happen with the machine running
Outlook 2000.

I disabled my anti-virus protection to see if this would make a difference
and it did not. Both computers are running through the same hub and router,
sharing a single DSL connection. Both computers poll at 5 minute intervals.

Anyone else experience this?

Bill

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

This is a guess, but if both hit the mailbox at the same time, it is
possible that one coming in second will fail because a lock is being placed
on the mailbox.

 

[Jeff Stephenson [MSFT]]

This is a guess, but if both hit the mailbox at the same time, it is
possible that one coming in second will fail because a lock is being placed
on the mailbox.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, neo, but the two computers are polling different boxes on the same
POP server.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, Jeff, but the two computers are polling different boxes (addresses) on
the same POP server. I also doubt this is a hardware performance issue since
the computer running XP/2003 is several times more powerful than the one
running 98SP2/2000. Their paths to the POP are identical: Computer - hub ->
DSL Adapter -> DSLAM-><path unknown> ISP's POP Server.

 

[Jeff Stephenson [MSFT]]

Sorry, Jeff, but the two computers are polling different boxes (addresses) on
the same POP server. I also doubt this is a hardware performance issue since
the computer running XP/2003 is several times more powerful than the one
running 98SP2/2000. Their paths to the POP are identical: Computer - hub ->
DSL Adapter -> DSLAM-><path unknown> ISP's POP Server.

Could you turn on diagnostic logging on the machine having the problem
(see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q300479) and
post the OPMLog.log file after it occurs?

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Follow Jeff's suggestion of enabling logging, duplicate issue, and post the
log. (Please oh please make sure you have SP1 for Office 2003 installed
before logging the connection. There is one known issue that can expose the
pop user id/password and none of us want to know that.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Jeff and neo. I turned on the logging and will post the log file
after the next failed authentication. Yes, I have XP's SP1 installed.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

psst.... you want to apply Office/Outlook 2003 SP1 since that is where the
bug is.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, neo. I should have read your earlier post more carefully. Yes, I
have Outlook 2003 SP1 installed.

Curiously, the "sporadic" failure to authenticate does have a pattern. It
only occurs during what would be normal working hours where I live. I'm
retired so commercial activity doesn't come into play on my home network.
Initially I thought my isp's POP server was being taxed during this period.
The fellow who runs that server was kind enough to set his logs to log only
failed authentication and I was the only client regularily doing so. Then he
set up a dummy account for me to poll with my other computer. As a test, I
had the other computer poll that account every minute for a week and it
didn't fail to authenticate once. During that period, my XP/2003 computer
failed to authenticate at least 100 times polling at 1/5 the rate.

I do have logging on now and will post the log after my next failed
authentication which probably will take place soon. Well how about that! I
just had three failures in rapid succession. Will gather the log now.

 

[Guest]

Here is the Outlook 2003 Log
Please note: I snipped the long, large uneventful period between when I
started logging and just
before the first failed authentication. Also, I replaced my POP address
with "POPNAME". Finally, I
marked the errors with <#Error> to make them easier to find.

2005.01.19 21:10:47 <<<< Logging Started (level is LTF_TRACE) >>>>
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000001)
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: UploadItems: 0 messages to send
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000030)
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
2005.01.20 11:04:29 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
<snip>
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Begin execution
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= Initial blob =========
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Port: 110, Secure: no, SPA: no
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 messages (0 bytes)
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorized to host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] STAT
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 0
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ==== Comparing server and local
blobs ====
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net):
==========================================
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Do deletions: LoS: no
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnecting from host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] QUIT
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server connection closed
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnected from host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= No blob changes =========
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): End execution
2005.01.20 11:04:29 mail.arvig.net: ReportStatus: RSF_COMPLETED, hr =
0x00000000
2005.01.20 11:04:29 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000001)
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: UploadItems: 0 messages to send
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000030)
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Begin execution
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= Initial blob =========
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Port: 110, Secure: no, SPA: no
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<First Error>
2005.01.20 11:09:33 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> -ERR incorrect password or
account name
2005.01.20 11:09:33 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Retrying authorization
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<Second Error>
2005.01.20 11:09:46 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> -ERR incorrect password or
account name
2005.01.20 11:09:46 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Retrying authorization
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<Third Error>
2005.01.20 11:09:52 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> -ERR incorrect password or
account name
2005.01.20 11:09:52 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Retrying authorization
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<Success after 3 retries>
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 messages (0 bytes)
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorized to host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] STAT
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 0
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ==== Comparing server and local
blobs ====
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net):
==========================================
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Do deletions: LoS: no
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnecting from host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] QUIT
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server connection closed
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnected from host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= No blob changes =========
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): End execution
2005.01.20 11:09:54 mail.arvig.net: ReportStatus: RSF_COMPLETED, hr =
0x00000000
2005.01.20 11:09:54 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000001)
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: UploadItems: 0 messages to send
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000030)
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Begin execution
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= Initial blob =========
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Port: 110, Secure: no, SPA: no
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 messages (0 bytes)
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorized to host
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] STAT
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 0
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ==== Comparing server and local
blobs ====
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net):
==========================================
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Do deletions: LoS: no
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnecting from host
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] QUIT
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server connection closed
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnected from host
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= No blob changes =========
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): End execution
2005.01.20 11:14:50 mail.arvig.net: ReportStatus: RSF_COMPLETED, hr =
0x00000000
2005.01.20 11:14:50 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed

 

[Guest]

Much as I hate replying to my own messages, here is some new information:

My isp's log matches mine and shows the same number of password characters
received. He can't tell if they are correct or not but from his perspective
the seem to be incorrect.

I set up Outlook Express to poll at a 5-minute rate (from the same machine),
starting it 2 1/2 minutes behind Outlook to avoid a conflict. It wasn't long
before Outlook Express experienced a failed authentication.

If my memory serves me right, these two applications share some POP and SMTP
routines.

Here is the Outlook 2003 Log
Please note: I snipped the long, large uneventful period between when I
started logging and just
before the first failed authentication. Also, I replaced my POP address
with "POPNAME". Finally, I
marked the errors with <#Error> to make them easier to find.

2005.01.19 21:10:47 <<<< Logging Started (level is LTF_TRACE) >>>>
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000001)
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: UploadItems: 0 messages to send
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000030)
2005.01.19 21:10:47 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
2005.01.20 11:04:29 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
<snip>
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Begin execution
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= Initial blob =========
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Port: 110, Secure: no, SPA: no
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 messages (0 bytes)
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorized to host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] STAT
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 0
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ==== Comparing server and local
blobs ====
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net):
==========================================
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Do deletions: LoS: no
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnecting from host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] QUIT
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server connection closed
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnected from host
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= No blob changes =========
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:04:29 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): End execution
2005.01.20 11:04:29 mail.arvig.net: ReportStatus: RSF_COMPLETED, hr =
0x00000000
2005.01.20 11:04:29 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000001)
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: UploadItems: 0 messages to send
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000030)
2005.01.20 11:09:30 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Begin execution
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= Initial blob =========
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Port: 110, Secure: no, SPA: no
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:30 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<First Error>
2005.01.20 11:09:33 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> -ERR incorrect password or
account name
2005.01.20 11:09:33 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Retrying authorization
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:39 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<Second Error>
2005.01.20 11:09:46 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> -ERR incorrect password or
account name
2005.01.20 11:09:46 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Retrying authorization
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<Third Error>
2005.01.20 11:09:52 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> -ERR incorrect password or
account name
2005.01.20 11:09:52 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Retrying authorization
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:09:53 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
<Success after 3 retries>
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 messages (0 bytes)
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorized to host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] STAT
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 0
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ==== Comparing server and local
blobs ====
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net):
==========================================
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Do deletions: LoS: no
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnecting from host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] QUIT
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server connection closed
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnected from host
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= No blob changes =========
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:09:54 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): End execution
2005.01.20 11:09:54 mail.arvig.net: ReportStatus: RSF_COMPLETED, hr =
0x00000000
2005.01.20 11:09:54 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000001)
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: UploadItems: 0 messages to send
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation started (flags = 00000030)
2005.01.20 11:14:48 mail.arvig.net: DoPOPDownload(flags = 00000030, max msg
= ffffffff): full items
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Begin execution
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= Initial blob =========
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Port: 110, Secure: no, SPA: no
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Finding host
2005.01.20 11:14:48 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server 4.2 ready <[email protected]>
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorizing to server
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] USER POPNAME
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK please send the PASS
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] PASS *****
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 messages (0 bytes)
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Authorized to host
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Connected to host
2005.01.20 11:14:49 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] STAT
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK 0 0
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ==== Comparing server and local
blobs ====
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net):
==========================================
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Do deletions: LoS: no
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnecting from host
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): [tx] QUIT
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): <rx> +OK CommuniGate Pro POP3
Server connection closed
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): Disconnected from host
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ========= No blob changes =========
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): ===================================
2005.01.20 11:14:50 POP3 (pop3.arvig.net): End execution
2005.01.20 11:14:50 mail.arvig.net: ReportStatus: RSF_COMPLETED, hr =
0x00000000
2005.01.20 11:14:50 mail.arvig.net: Synch operation completed

psst.... you want to apply Office/Outlook 2003 SP1 since that is where the
bug is.

 

[Jeff Stephenson [MSFT]]

Here is the Outlook 2003 Log
Please note: I snipped the long, large uneventful period between when I
started logging and just
before the first failed authentication. Also, I replaced my POP address
with "POPNAME". Finally, I
marked the errors with <#Error> to make them easier to find.

Sadly, this doesn't provide any useful information - the server is telling
you that either your username or password is incorrect. It seems highly
unlikely that Outlook is forgetting the proper information and then
remembering it later in the Outlook session, so I don't *think* that
there's anything that Outlook can do about this.

You'll need to work with your ISP (who sounds unusually helpful). You
might find out if they can do any logging that indicates why authentication
failed, rather than just the fact that it failed.

 

[Jeff Stephenson [MSFT]]

Much as I hate replying to my own messages, here is some new information:

My isp's log matches mine and shows the same number of password characters
received. He can't tell if they are correct or not but from his perspective
the seem to be incorrect.

The same number of characters as you know there are in your password, or
the 5 asterisks in the log? Outlook *always* prints 5 asterisks,
regardless of the password length, so as to not reveal the length...

I set up Outlook Express to poll at a 5-minute rate (from the same machine),
starting it 2 1/2 minutes behind Outlook to avoid a conflict. It wasn't long
before Outlook Express experienced a failed authentication.

If my memory serves me right, these two applications share some POP and SMTP
routines.

They do, but I've never heard of this particular issue happening for
either. There are some wierd situations involving SPA (secure password
authentication) between domains, but that's not what's happening here and
besides the issue there would always lead to failure.

 

[Guest]

This is frustrating. I tend to believe my helpful ISP when he says his logs
indicate I'm the only one experiencing this problem Likewise, I believe the
Outlook POP and SMTP routines are tried-and-true. The fact that one machine
polls it's account successfully while the other has sporadic errors on it's
account suggests my network and my ISP's network aren't contributing to the
problem.

Paranoid as this may sound, I'm wondering if someone else is polling my
account and colliding with me from time-to-time. I can't imagine why anyone
but homeland security would be interested in my boring mail, but I have no
other explanation.

I did experience such a collision once when I was logged into my POP account
through my ISP's web access and polled my account with Outlook. The message
I received was quite different from the failure to authenticate, however, and
clearly indicated a sharing violation.

I asked my ISP to go back to his logs to see someone from another IP address
has polled my account. This will be easy for him since my address is fixed.
Still, I have a feeling this is something I'll just have to live with.

Thanks for trying.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

So this begs the next question of what is different about the connection of
the two machines. For example, are both wired connections or is one machine
wired while the other runs a wireless connection? (noticed you mentioned
hub/router, but it isn't clear that said device(s) are capable of supporting
both connection types.)

If both are wired to the same hub, you might try switching cables between
the two machines or switching the jack connections to see if there is
something hinky with the hardware. (e.g. might have a failing port on the
hub.)

 

[Brian Tillman]

So this begs the next question of what is different about the
connection of the two machines. For example, are both wired
connections or is one machine wired while the other runs a wireless
connection? (noticed you mentioned hub/router, but it isn't clear
that said device(s) are capable of supporting both connection types.)

If both are wired to the same hub, you might try switching cables
between the two machines or switching the jack connections to see if
there is something hinky with the hardware. (e.g. might have a
failing port on the hub.)

And then there's the matter if MTU length. I can conceive of dropped or
runt packets causing sporadic trouble.

 

[Jeff Stephenson [MSFT]]

Paranoid as this may sound, I'm wondering if someone else is polling my
account and colliding with me from time-to-time. I can't imagine why anyone
but homeland security would be interested in my boring mail, but I have no
other explanation.

I know of several servers that lock the mailbox when delivering mail to it.
Might that be a possibility? As to someone else polling your account,
maybe you could try changing your password - if someone else had somehow
got your password, a change would keep them from logging in. I suspect
that government agencies have ways of monitoring our mail without actually
logging in via POP3 (like direct inspection of the mailbox on the server,
or sniffing the network traffic)...

I did experience such a collision once when I was logged into my POP account
through my ISP's web access and polled my account with Outlook. The message
I received was quite different from the failure to authenticate, however, and
clearly indicated a sharing violation.

Yes, usually the message for this is something along the lines of "-ERR
mailbox busy" or "-ERR mailbox locked".

I asked my ISP to go back to his logs to see someone from another IP address
has polled my account. This will be easy for him since my address is fixed.
Still, I have a feeling this is something I'll just have to live with.

And ask if he can distinguish an authentication failure from a mailbox
locked situation in his logs. That would remove the doubt around *what* is
happening and leave us with the issue of *why*.

Also, neo's and Brian's suggestions are worth following up.

 

[Guest]

Jeff, Neo and Brian,

Again, thanks for continuing to give me suggestions.

John, my ISP's POP guru reviewed his log of yesterday's three consequtive
errors. No other party had access to or polled my account at that time. Yes,
John only sees the 5 asterisks where the password would otherwise be hence we
can tell nothing regarding dropped characters. Nothing like having a
small-town Minnesota ISP, huh?

Both of my computers are connected to a Netgear router with integral hub. I
switched the lines from the two computers at that point to eliminate the
possiblity of a bad port. Next, presuming the problem persists, I'll switch
the lines leading to the network adapters in the two computers. After that,
presuming the problem persists, I'll install my spare network adapter and
disable the one built into my motherboard. Presuming the problem persists,
is there anything I can do beyond that to prove my computer and LAN hardware?
The router is common to both computers, of course, but the network adapter
built into my Intel Pentium 4 motherboard is configurable. Of course, that
was in place long before I upgraded from Office 2000 to Office 2003 and this
problem didn't occur prior to that upgrade. Also, this problem didn't arise
until after I installed an upgrade to Office 2003 but I don't recall which
upgrade. It was the "one before last" detected by the Office update routine.
I see in System Information that Outlook 2003 has a COM add-in called
"Microsoft VBA..." whatever that might be.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

oh yeah, i forgot about this one when the broadband connection is a PPoE
type of account. (Billy, this is where the ISP requires a user id/password
to be given on the broadband account before you can surf.)