Defective router, or brain dead owner?

[spazz]

Finally got two computers to see each other, now I can't check my email. After hours on the phone with numerous techs at Belkin their explanation was that my pop3/smtp information was incorrect, even though it has always worked and still works when I bypass the router, and on both computers using various mail programs. I really don't think they know how to tell me the proper way to set up the router or configure port settings for my cable/mail service. If I understand the process correctly, if at first it doesn't work with automatic configuration I have the option to manually configure the ports (110 and 25) from Belkin's web interface, and if the equipment is not defective this should resolve the problem. Needless to say I have tried that with no success. Is there something else to configure or should I assume this router is a lemon? I'm thinking about returing it tomorrow and getting Linksys, but I would appreciate some suggestions or opinions on the subject.
Cheers!

[MediaMan]

If you have an email account with your ISP then check with the ISPs help page for proper settings. Typically it is

mail.ispname.com or .net .org

for incoming and outgoing mail server. Plus, of course, the user and password. Now you may have turned on some firewall settings in the router that prevent the mail program from working correctly. Check you admin page for blocking that may be enabled on SMTP, TCP Port 25.

I trust that the INTERNET is still working for you.

[spazz]

According to my cable provider, the only addresses I need are pop-server for incoming and smtp-server for outgoing, which I use with all mail programs and direct pc to cable modem configuration, and according to them should still work with a router. I tried manually configuring the ip addresses on my computers and the ports on the router manufacturer's web interface (110 and 25). Although I had internet connection with my browser on both pc's I could not send or receive email. After disconnecting the router I verified that my cable modem connection was good. The tech reps at Belkin seemed to be confused by my ISP's pop3 configuration and higher level technicians were unavailable. I called Linksys tech support as a sort of "dry run" and encountered shorter wait times and more knowledgeable reps that ensured me they were familiar with this type of setup, and if circumstances warranted they could actually provide application specific firmware and not merely a general purpose upgrade. Does that sound right? I would think I am not the only cable modem user that either of these companies has come across. I'm considering either swapping the Belkin for a Linksys or just using a crossover cable and hub.

[MediaMan]

That is an odd incoming and outgoing address. Very odd and it doesn't seem right. Usually it's something like (for example only)

mail.shaw.ca


I do know that on rare time there are problems and an alternate geographic specific address need be used. I have to for my own ISP.


It appears that you are perhaps using another mail server rather than your own ISP. If I'm right your ISP offers one of four services; AOL, Earthlink, InternetJunction or RoadRunner.

That's if I got your area correct.


I think you should check with whomever hosts your email for the correct settings. For example for EARTHLINK in your area the settings are

POP Server: pop.earthlink.net
SMTP Server: smtpauth.earthlink.net
SMTP Authentication Username: Your Email Address
SMTP Authentication Password: Your Email Password


For internet junction it's

Pop Server: POP3.ij.net
SMTP: smtp.ij.net


This info is also case sensitive. That's about all I can help you with for now unless I jump on a plane. :)

[spazz]

As far as I know, and according to my cable/internet provider, this is direct from RoadRunner. My address is my name @tampabay.rr.com. It would sure make it simpler if there was something in the format xxx.xxx.xxx. xxx, it would also make more sense. I think I'll call them again. If I can't get this working I guess I'll go with a direct connection and leave one computer on all the time.

[EMT]

What makes no sense is everything works fine when bypassing the router, yet with the router only mail is affected. Something fishy is going on, it could be defective.

[spazz]

Well this has been a learning experience for sure. You were right MediaMan, all it took was a little experimenting with my current mail settings by adding periods in the right places to get the format you outlined. It is strange that it wasn't needed when using the modem only, which led me to believe the router may be defective. After dismantling my desk and computer several times to route and reroute cables that was Belkin's conclusion as well. Blind leading the blind. I would think RoadRunner would have known better though. Thanks for your help. I was ready to take it back to the store.
Maybe you guys can help me figure out my last problem. When I run 'cmd' and enter "ipaddress /all" or "ping" or some other commands at the command prompt on my xp machine I get the message that they aren't recognized as internal or external commands, operable program or batch file. They work fine on my 98 machine. Another head scratcher.

[MediaMan]

The command you are looking for to enter into the command prompt window is

ipconfig/all

Other useful commands are

ipconfig/release

ipconfig/renew

which are common when releasing and renewing an IP address.


As far as PING...you may want to try entering

ping www.google.com

to test the ping feature. Don't ping us as we've shut that down. You won't get a response.

[EMT]

Wow, I never knew the ipconfig commands worked without a space, but sure enough!

[spazz]

I made an error, the commands I am entering are in fact "ipconfig/all", "ipconfig/release" and "ping win98pcipaddress, all of which get the same error "not recognized as commands etc". I can change directories, list directory contents and the like, but that's about it. Screwy huh?
Something I noticed is the the Xp version number. Shouldn't that have changed after adding sp2. It's the same as it was for sp1. Don't know if that has anything to do with my command prompt woes.
Here's a screen shot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/digitaljunkie/Screen%20Shots/commandPrompt_screenShot.gif

[MediaMan]

Looks like Winsock corruption to me.

How to determine and recover from Winsock2 corruption (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811259)


It's a lengthy technical piece but the quickest way around may be to uninstall the NIC and software...reboot and reinstall it.

More related information is here:


http://www.techwarelabs.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=3131&start=15

[spazz]

Do you recommend these steps even though I did not get a winsock or socket error? My nic is working good, I think I was having this trouble at the command prompt before I installed a new nic card, and before I installed sp2, not 100% sure though.

[TheBaron]

austin roadrunner told me the same thing, that all i needed was pop-server and smtp-server

the minute you get behind a router, it cant correctly evaluate those names, so since in my case my email is thebaron@austin.rr.com
the correct addresses are
pop-server.austin.rr.com
smtp-server.austin.rr.com

this is a common issue, and only exists because cable companies think we cant handle writing down long names

[MediaMan]

Try Baron's settings first. I had the same situation happen with my ISP.

[t1rhino]

I had the same problem with my cable ISP.
Before router, I could simply use pop-server/smtp-server.
After route, I had to change it to pop-server.BLAH.BLAH.BLAH.rogers.com/smtp-server.BLAH.BLAH.BLAH.rogers.com. :D

[profdlp]

I was going to tell you what I had to do to get into my Adelphia mail through a router but TheBaron beat me to it. :thumbsup:

Call your isp and ask them for the mail settings for router use. As he said, the simple ones aren't going to do it.

[spazz]

After tips from you guys I finally got my email working, and by just adding my city.rr.com after pop-server and smtp-server. If I had waited for a Belkin tech to call me back I would still be waiting. Their customer service sucks, and I mean big ones. I'm thinking about taking the router back and switching brands even though it now works fine. I don't like patronizing companies that treat customers with such low regard.
Linksys seems like a good company. Anyone have experience with them? If I decided to abandon the router for the less expensive ICS crossover setup, are there any major drawbacks?
Thanks again to all who helped me!

[MediaMan]

spazz.

Glad to hear it. I suggest you start a new thread here in Networking and describe what it is that you want out of a router and see what suggestions you get.

Since this problem is solved you may as well start a new one.



That's of course after reading thought the networking forums. :)