pop3 + smtp question

ok, here is my problem. i have 2 machines (win2k) on my network that are unable to connect to mailservers. they can both access the internet however, and are able to ping each other as well as any other machine on or outside of the network. using outlook gives an "unable to connect" error on a send/receive. and before you ask, yes, the pop3 and smtp settings are fine. the other machines have the exact same settings and work perfectly. it's not outlook related though because the 2 problem machines cannot even telnet to the pop3/smtp servers while the other machines can do so just fine.

to make it even stranger, they both work temporarily after a reboot. they boot and can telnet/check mail for 10 minutes or so, and then *poof* they stop working. i have changed ethernet cables, hubs, etc. with no luck. no matter what the configuration is, i get the same thing. any ideas/comments/suggestions? thanks in advance.

btw, all network settings are fine. no changes had been made.

 

Are you using Norton antivirus?
It requires you to change the POP settings to point to its servers and scan your email or soemthing like that.

 

The norton thing is only for the virus scan where it sets up a local proxy to collect email before delivering it directly to the mail client. form what you are describing it seems like a firewall type thing. Check to make sure that ports 110 and 25 are both open for these PC's. Also check the advanced tab for your internet mail connectoid in Outlook services.

 

thanks brendandonhu,

it was norton all right. i was just 'notified' that norton av was upgraded to 2003, hence the problems. the auto-protect was somehow blocking 110 and 25. thanks!

 

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