Connection problems

[#1]

Hi,
I have just developed a problem which sounds identical to a member whose message I came across when looking for ideas in an attempt to solve it:
"I used to be able to connect to the server from Outlook by pressing Send/Receive - now this no longer works and I get the following error message (or variations on it: there've been 2 or 3 variations on the error number):
Task 'mail.plus.net - Receiving' reported error (0x80042108) : 'Outlook is unable to connect to your incoming (POP3) e-mail server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'"
The result being I cannot send or receive mail. I have tried the solution which appears to have worked for this member, i.e. change setting to "connect using phone line" but without success. I can connect to the internet without any problems. I use Outlook Express. Any suggestions?

[#2]

Hi there,
Can you confirm that the server name that you are using is "mail.plus.net" ?
Are you able to connect to the internet and browse webpages when you are getting the same problem?

[#3]

Hi,
yes, I'm using mail.plus.net
I have been able to continue browsing web pages without any issues

[#4]

Thanks.
Can you tell me what happens when you open a command prompt and type:
telnet mail.plus.net 110

[#5]

Sorry James, but I'm fairly new to this and I'll have to ask for a little more guidance on how to do that.

[#6]

Sorry
Click on your start menu
Click on run
Type cmd, hit enter
Then type the command I wrote down in my earlier post. (and hit enter)

[#7]

Thanks,
I got: "could not open connection to the host, on port 110: Connect failed"

[#8]

That's not good.
Could you possibly try disabling your antivirus and/or firewall software and trying the same command again?

[#9]

Disabled firewall (Norton) and got a connection and the message "OK Hello there"

[#10]

Looks like Norton is blocking your email client. You should be able to configure it to allow your email program to access the internet - there's some instructions for a couple of nortom programs on http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Configuring+Norton+Internet+Security - just substitute your email program for 'Mozilla Firefox' when it appears in the instructions.
Hope that helps,

[#11]

Thanks very much; it appeared to be a conflict between Norton and my email as you suggested. I reset my firewall and all appears to working OK now. Great help.