Ubuntu
thunderbird package

Email problems

Asked by kay

I am a Linux newbie. I recently installed Ubuntu 8.04 with the hope of converting from Windows. Since I setup my emails, I can receive emails without a problem. When I send I get all sorts of problems.

I started with Evolution, which I managed to setup well, but could not get it to send emails. I get the error message:
Error while performing operation.
DATA command failed: Connection timed out

I then tried Thunderbird. With Thunderbird, I can send plain text emails with a short message. Once the message becomes too long or there is an attachment, I struggle to send it. I get the error message:
Sending of message failed.
The message could not be sent because connecting to SMTP server smtp.wbs.co.za failed...

I have also tried Kontact and Seamonkey which give me similar problems to Thunderbird.

Does anyone know what the problem could be?

Any help will be appreciated.

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Ubuntu thunderbird Edit question
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Thomas Roten
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Thomas Roten (tsroten) said : 		#1

What e-mail provider do you use?

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kay (khorombi) said : 		#2

Hi Thomas,

I think that would be the people I host with: Webnet77. The server is POP3.
The part I don't understand is that I've done this countless number of times on MS Outlook with no hussles.
I know that I have to use my ISP's smtp server for outgoing emails and I've done that.

Revision history for this message
Thomas Roten (tsroten) said : 		#3

Well it seems the problem is with the SMTP server information. According to Webnet77 accounts can be set up to use their own SMTP servers and not your ISPs. Have you considered that?

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Thomas Roten (tsroten) said : 		#4

Who is your ISP?

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kay (khorombi) said : 		#5

Yes, I have and it didn't work. supprisingly, that only works on my cellphone.
Remember though that I am able to send out small emails on Kontact and Thunderbird using my ISPs SMTP, once the email becomes long or has attachments it doesn't send.
I read on some of the posts people talking about security settings on their machines, you think that could be a problem? and if so, how do I check it out?

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kay (khorombi) said : 		#6

My ISP is iBurst so the smtp server I've been using is smtp.wbs.co.za. I even tried using the IP address and that didn't work either.

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Best Thomas Roten (tsroten) said : 		#7

Well, their server could block e-mails of a certain size. With iBurst their website says it's 10 MB.
Here is what their site says if you're e-mail isn't working:
    * Login to Your Account to ensure that the account works.
    * Check SMTP and POP3 settings are:
      smtp.iburst.co.za,
      pop3.iburst.co.za.
    * Use iBurst’ SMTP server to prevent spam.
    * If you are using iBurst on a network:
      Only 4 mails can be sent out concurrently,
      Server should be in “host forwarding mode” (NOT “DNS delivery mode”),
      Server response setting set to 180 seconds,
      If all of the above are not of assistance please call the Support Desk.

It looks like their must be time between each e-mail. Try not sending an e-mail for a few minutes and then sending a larger e-mail but one that is under 10 MB, maybe around 8MB.

I think we should try to get Webnet77's SMTP server to work. Do you have their SMTP information in that "Welcome email"?

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kay (khorombi) said : 		#8

Hi Thomas,
Thanks a million.
I tried Webnet77's smtp and it worked. it works on Kontact, Thunderbird and Evolution. the smtp is mail.myDomain.com. it requires authentication.

I hope this thread will help someone else.
Thanks again Thomas. I was at the brink of giving up Linux and going back to Windows.

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kay (khorombi) said : 		#9

Thanks Thomas Roten, that solved my question.

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Thomas Roten (tsroten) said : 		#10

Yep, no problem. I'm glad that you've decided to stick with Linux. My e-mail address is in my launchpad profile if you need any help with anything else.