OL97: Internet Mail Issue with Whole Earth Networks ISP (176530)

SYMPTOMS

When you use, GST Whole Earth Networks (The Well), as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and are not using a dial-up connection with one of Whole Earth Networks local phone numbers, messages queued to be sent in the Microsoft Outlook 97 Outbox may generate a Non-Delivery Report (NDR) from the ISP.

CAUSE

Outlook tries to send mail before checking for mail. This prevents you from authenticating properly with the anti-spam filters installed on GST Whole Earth Networks mail servers.

RESOLUTION

To assure continued authentication with the ISP server, set Outlook to check for new mail in less than 30-minute intervals. To do so, see the REFERENCES section later in this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Whole Earth Networks has implemented new security measures in order to prevent unsolicited email from being relayed through their mail servers by persons who are not their customers. Because of the manner in which Outlook sends mail before checking for new mail first, it can give the impression that the Internet Mail service in Outlook is not functioning properly.

You must be authenticated by GST Whole Earth Networks before sending mail, only if you are not dialing in through one of GST Whole Earth Networks' local phone numbers or are not one of their dedicated connection customers.

To Resend Messages for Which You Received NDR Messages

On the Tools menu, click "Send and Receive" (or press F5).
Wait one minute for the authentication process to complete.
Click to select the Sent Items folder.
Open the message for which you received the NDR.
On the Tools menu click, Resend This Message.

REFERENCES

For information on setting the interval to check for new mail, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

162597 OL97: Internet Mail Connection and Transfer Options

170384 OL97: Configuring IMEP to Automatically Dial Your ISP