Windows Mail on 2 computers

[Teapot]

Is it possible to run the same e-mail account in Windows Mail on 2 computers
and synchronise the two? I use Vista Home Premium on a desktop and laptop
which are networked wirelessly through a Netgear router. Any ideas gratefully
received.

 

[Steve Cochran]

You can setup the account on both computers and under Tools | Accounts |
Mail | Properties | Advanced set both to leave a copy of the messages on the
server so both will receive all the messages and set one computer to delete
them after a few days to ensure your mailbox on the server doesn't fill up.

Then you will have the received emails synchronized. To synchronize the
other folders such as sent items, you would have to copy the messages from
each computer to the other. My OEX program (www.oehelp.com/OEX/ note: does
not work in 64 bit systems) will let you do this with a single button click
across the network.

steve

 

[Sam Hobbs]

I might be wrong about this, since I think Steve would have mentioned it if
were relevant, but it is my understanding that IMAP will do what you need
done automatically. If your email server supports IMAP, then you should
investigate it otherwise you can look for other email providers that support
IMAP.

 

[Steve Cochran]

I think you are correct, but I have never used IMAP, so I'm far from expert
in that.

steve

 

[Teapot]

Thanks for your help. I have done as Steve suggested and am receiving e-mails
on both computers. However, although it is one e-mail account there are 3
users with their own prefix and Inbox folders. All "properties" have been
clicked to leave a copy on the server, so now we seem to get multiple copies
of incoming e-mails. I have tried disabling some of the "leave copy" boxes
but that user then doesn't have their mail downloaded to both computers.
Perhaps I can't get what I want but any suggestions?

 

[Steve Cochran]

An account is a separate email address as far as I understand it, so if you
have 3 users they should have 3 email accounts (addresses), so I'm not
following what is happening.

steve

 

[Teapot]

Sorry for not explaining myself properly and getting mixed up between
a"account" and "user". My e-mail address is (e-mail address removed) and I have set up
3 folders in the Inbox. We each issue our e-mail address as e.g.
(e-mail address removed). Going to Tools, Accounts shows all 3 individual names.
Mail rules direct incoming mail to the correct folder. Having clicked on
properties, advanced box on each of these accounts, to leave a copy on the
server, incoming e-mails (still going to the correct inbox folder) are in
triplicate in the appropriate folder. Disabling the "leave on server" on one
(an infrequent user) still results in duplicates. It may be that because all
3 e-mail addresses have surname.isp.com my ISP's server has effectively been
asked to save copies 3 times, hence the multiple copies. But unless I enable
the save option in all names, mail will not go to the 2 computers.

Hope this is clearer!! Is there a solution or do I just put up with it?

 

[Steve Cochran]

I'm still confused. If you set up all 3 accounts on both machines and they
are all set to leave a copy on the server, you will get copies of all mail
in all accounts on each machine. Your various accounts should be

(e-mail address removed)
(e-mail address removed)
(e-mail address removed)

so I don't understand how you also have (e-mail address removed) unless, as you
indicate, somehow the ISP has configured things that way. I would only set
up the 3 accounts above and see if that works. Otherwise, you might try
contacting your ISP and explaining the situation.

steve

 

[Teapot]

Thanks for all your help Steve. I have asked my ISP and it seems what I have
done is set up alias addresses on my account and, as suspected, the server
will then send the message the same number of times as the "save copy" box
has been ticked. The alternative is to have completely separate accounts
(Which I think is what you were getting at) but this doesn't suit for other
reasons. So I will just have to put up with multiple copies!. Again thanks
for your help.

 

[Steve Cochran]

I'm glad you figured it out anyway. I was confused. <G>