Using AOL to reach a third party SMTP server

[mrMargin]

I recently bought a domain name and host package with a company (<snip>). To set up outlook, outlook express there details were to use the settings:

pop3: mail.domainname.com
smtp: mail.domainname.com

Now I use AOL and because of this i'm getting problem. I was told that AOL dont allow third party server so I can't send any email, can only receive them..

I tried using AOL's smtp details though that didn't help either. The AOL help desk wont help as they don't have a way round this. argghhhhh

Any suggestions most apreiciated!

[edited by: BlobFisk at 9:39 am (utc) on Oct. 25, 2004]
[edit reason] No URLs please! See TOS [webmasterworld.com] Ho [/edit]

[Saltminer]

Many of the large ISP's block mail ports for spam prevention.
Here's some info on AOL. You'll probably have to change your SMTP port to 587 in order to get past the AOL servers.

I use Cox Cable and had the same problem but adding the port number on the end of the mail servers address took care of it. It will probably also require you to set up authentication since you're not using the "standard" port.

"http://members.aol.com/adamkb/aol/mailfaq/imap/".

Search on Google or Yahoo for "AOL block port" or something similar for more info.

Jimmy

[mrMargin]

Hi Jimmy,
thanks for your reply. Couple of questions if I may,

1) How do you change your SMTP port to 587 in order to get past the AOL servers.

2) How do you to set up authentication, since as you mentioned I'm not using the "standard" port.

I havn't had time to look at this link you added, been slammed at work! if all the info is there, sorry for bothering you, and I'll look there after work

cheers

[Saltminer]

I use Thunderbird and Evolution for email, but I used to use Outlook Express. I can tell you how I set it up there for my cable account.

What I have is a dialup account, that I've had for many years, but it's not AOL, just a dialup provider. When I got the cable I still kept the dialup as a backup, since I need internet access for business. Sometimes I want to send mail thru the dialup mail server so that address will show as the sender rather than the cable address. But COX cable blocks port 25 so it can't pass through to the other mail server. And I didn't want to have to dial up to send it, that's why I got cable.. dang it.

In OE I changed my dialup mail account by using Tools>Accounts..>Mail, then highlight the account and select Properties>Advanced. Under 'Server Port Numbers' I put 587 as the 'Outgoing Mail (SMTP)' port.
Then click on the 'Server" tab and at the bottom put a check in "My Server Requires Authentication".
Then just click "OK" on everything till you get back to something familar.

I had to enter my dialup account username and password the first time, because of the authentication, but now I can select to send from my cable account address or the dialup address. I haven't had any problems with them blocking port 110. I can access the POP server on the dialup no problem, COX just didn't want me sending through them.

Hope that helps you out.

Jimmy

[Phantom]

my advice: don't use AOL.