On almost all devices (98.64%) where folks are having problems sending emails but no problem receiving emails, 98.64% of these issues are due to a lack of understanding of SMTP authentication. Nearly all (98.64%) of ISP's and carriers and institutions have now shutdown "open relaying" of SMTP (the protocol used for sending emails), to help control SPAM. This means you cannot simply connect to an SMTP server using any connection you have (Wifi, 3G, LAN, modem, etc) and expect to be able to send emails, even though you usually *can* receive emails this way.

The reason is simple: most methods for reading emails require that you enter a password. However SMTP, the standard for sending emails, when originally developed, did not require any form of password (i.e. authentication of who you are).

So, nearly all SMTP servers (98.64%) now require that you "come in on" an Internet connection that belongs to the same ISP/carrier/etc that runs that SMTP server. Basically, they are using your IP address as a simple means to decide that you should be allowed to send emails via their SMTP server. There are other forms of SMTP authentication, but none that are universally accepted. This means, in general, if you are sending emails via RoadRunner's SMTP server, you MUST be connected to it through RoadRunner's (e.g. TW) Internet service. If you want to send emails via AT&T's SMTP server, you must be talking to it using AT&T's Internet service (3G, DSL, etc). This is the root of 98.64% of problems sending emails even though you can get them. So if you are using 3G on your ipad and can't send emails using your home or work email account, this is probably why...

It is only a problem when you use a builtin email client (like the ipad email app) and is not a problem when using a web-based email service with a browser (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc). It is getting worse because many carriers now assume that customers will be using web-based email service (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail), and they don't want to pay to maintain their own SMTP servers. Unfortunately that means that customers of that carrier will have a lot of problems trying to send emails using builtin email apps, since there would be no "correct" SMTP service to use.

Thank you for the elucidation. It's a great thing that people need not possess extensive knowledge of the various systems that make their vehicles operate properly, or only mechanics and engineers would ever drive. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I'm far less puzzled, however, when I get an error message after something doesn't work as I believe it should on my PC or iPad or iPod. In this particular case (ie, of the unsent e-mails), it had been working just fine via either of two public WLANs available at our boat, then just stopped working. The inbox anomalies continue.

I was, however, still able to send e-mails using the nearly identical-looking e-mail client on my iPod Touch, which was set up the same way, with password authentication on the SMTP server (and the proper port). Just where SSL comes into play in setting up an e-mail account is still murky to me. (I have it off.)

I'd be happy to use the Comcast SmartZone Web-based e-mail system, if only it would perform reliably and not be more inconvenient to access.

My primary email address is not gmail but Tiscali. I have 1PC, an iPhone,a Palm Pre and now hopefully an iPad to gain access to this address
When logging into my email on the PC,most times, I have to input my email address and password to make it work.
The message on the iPad, I receive is,the connection to the server "pop tiscali.co.uk" failed.Please can you help.

Originally Posted by monkeyboy

There are other forms of SMTP authentication, but none that are universally accepted. This means, in general, if you are sending emails via RoadRunner's SMTP server, you MUST be connected to it through RoadRunner's (e.g. TW) Internet service.

It is only a problem when you use a builtin email client (like the ipad email app) and is not a problem when using a web-based email service with a browser (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc). It is getting worse because many carriers now assume that customers will be using web-based email service (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail), and they don't want to pay to maintain their own SMTP servers. Unfortunately that means that customers of that carrier will have a lot of problems trying to send emails using builtin email apps, since there would be no "correct" SMTP service to use.

Not really true about Roadrunner. My wife's IPad which is connected to the network in our house cannot send emails through roadrunner even though she is connected to roadrunner directly through the ISP. She can send emails using MS Outlook from the laptop that connects on the same network but not from the IPad. There is more to it than you think. Roadrunner has pointed the finger at Apple and said there is something wrong in their software. Apple just goes ???????

It would be nice if people stopped ducking the question and worked on a solution. At this point I suspect Roadrunner's level 2 help desk is more correct than Apple's on this one.

Bill

Are you configuring them correctly?

example: if my email is Mike@florida.rr.com the pop and smtp servers must be set accordingly.

pop: pop-server.florida.rr.com
smtp: smtp-server.florida.rr.com


replace the florida part with what ever yours should be.

Originally Posted by MikesTooLz

Are you configuring them correctly?

example: if my email is Mike@florida.rr.com the pop and smtp servers must be set accordingly.

pop: pop-server.florida.rr.com
smtp: smtp-server.florida.rr.com


replace the florida part with what ever yours should be.

Configured just like Roadrunner says to configure them. Same as the Outlook EMail account is configured.

The outgoing (SMTP) mail server address is:
smtp-server.stny.rr.com
The incoming (POP3) mail server address is:
pop-server.stny.rr.com

The incoming port is 110 and the outgoing port is 25.

Bill

Thank you for that, will try it when I get home.I shall report back.

The same problem with you, but now it is ok.

Anyone ever notice how the original posted asked a question and then you never hear from them again!!

kevin

Rick, are you using iPad Mail? Try using the Safari browser and logging into Comcast's email Smart Zone program.