I can answer most questions on a wide variety of computer topics. For email topics I can help with the following:
explaining how email works, how to get started, and what to watch out for
selecting an email service provider
selecting, configuring, and using email software (my personal choice is Outlook and Outlook Express)
using web-based email
reducing or eliminating spam
troubleshooting problems with sending and receiving email
I do not use MACs or Linux so please select another expert if your question is unique to these platforms.
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Expert: Bob H Date: 7/14/2008 Subject: Setting up Outlook Express
Question Hi Bob
Hoping you can help me !!
I am having some trouble reinstalling outloook express following some surgery to my computer !
I would like to use outlook express alongside my web based email but cannot install it even following the procedure on microsofts web site.
I keep getting the little pop up asking me to enter my password, no matter what I do when I click the send and receive button.
I am at my wits end !!!
Can you help ?
Ryan, UK.
Answer Hi Ryan.
If you are repeatedly getting the popup asking for your password every time you press send/receive, and if you are not able to send/receive email at all, then Outlook Express was probably installed ok but not configured correctly for your specific email account. In this scenario OE will try to connect to your email account server to send/receive your mail, but if it is unable to connect then it may receive an error message from the server, and in some cases this error message causes OE to prompt you to enter or verify your email account password.
This scenario is usually caused by missing or incorrect POP3 or SMTP settings in OE. Many people forget the proper settings since they rarely see them when email is working fine, or in some cases your email service provider may have recently changed their settings. So you need to check with your email service provider to find out what the proper POP3 and SMTP settings should be for your email account. Here are some links to the proper settings for several major email providers:
Once you have the proper POP3 / SMTP settings then you should be able to double-check your settings in OE and change them as needed. Then you should be able to send/receive email just fine. Here is Microsoft's general help link for changing the OE settings:
If you are still having trouble then please ask a follow-up question and include the following:
- operating system and version number
- OE version number
- name of your email service provider
- specific steps you take to receive the error message
- specific error message including any codes or numbers
