Wireless email problem while travelling

[BLBantz]

I recently inherited a newer Compaq laptop with wireless capabilities. It works great on my home wireless network. I recently took it to a hotel with wireless access. I had no problem getting online, browsing the internet, receiving my email. But...I could not send email. I would receive an error message saying that the server was not recognized. At home I use Comcast.net. The outgoing server setting in my laptop is smtp.comcast.net. Do I need to change this while travelling? I am travelling again this weekend and need to use my laptop. Any help is appreciated.

[munson]

I recently inherited a newer Compaq laptop with wireless capabilities. It works great on my home wireless network. I recently took it to a hotel with wireless access. I had no problem getting online, browsing the internet, receiving my email. But...I could not send email. I would receive an error message saying that the server was not recognized. At home I use Comcast.net. The outgoing server setting in my laptop is smtp.comcast.net. Do I need to change this while travelling? I am travelling again this weekend and need to use my laptop. Any help is appreciated.Most outgoing servers, including Comcast, require username and password. Not knowing what email client you use, I'd suggest you check to be sure the box for outgoing server authorization is checked, and that you are using your username and password for it. Some systems require the full email address in place of the username. Also, ping the server after you are connected to be sure it resolves. I have found that some wireless nets here and there block certain traffic in an effort to curtail worms and viruses. From the hotel you can call the providers tech support to be sure the firewall allows the traffic.

[andy]

I am 100% positive the problem you are fighting here is that some netizens think it is a smart idea to spill SPAM all over. A long time ago, it was perfectly fine to leave your email server open and for everyone to use. Everyone knew how to behave and only used theirs as long as they were at their home base, and SPAM was a non issue. Then came aforementioned assholes and the whole world changed.

These days it is fairly usual to limit access to your email server only to your network, meaning in your case, you can only use comcasts email server as long as you are within the comcast network.

There are a couple way ways around that but I am not sure if comcast has implemented any of them. If I'd had to guess, then no. Pretty much the only way around this dilemma is to use an outside email provider. With an outside email provider you can depending on the location (it can also be that the location you are in has the outgoing email ports blocked) you can either use authenticated smtp sessions, or if all goes bad the web interface. These providers are e.g. bmwlt.com, hotmail, yahoo, google, ... every one of them has specific advantages and disadvangates.

[brianbeemer]

If you have broadband your outgoing server for email assumes that you are connected at your registered phone number. If you are connecting from elsewhere, such as a hotel or a friend's house, your provider will not accept the transmit request as they won't recognise the ISP connection you're coming through. The only way around this is to set your outgoing email smtp connection to the local connection, but on hotel wireless connections there's no way of knowing that.

Hopefully your ISP gave you an access point for you to go into your email account via their server so you can use email online when working away from home. E.G. for comcast you should have an account access at comcast.com and you can send email from there.

[jwd98056]

I have not had any trouble logging into my Comcast e-mail server through my Verizon network using Pocket Outlook on my PDA/Phone. Plan B would be to just use your web browser to log into your Comcast e-mail account. That is how I usually do it when I am on the road. Call me old fashioned. ;)

[NOGILLS2]

While on the road I use a PC Card, this eliminates all that. set up your card and as long as you can get a signal you can reach out. The downside is PC cards are not free, I travel a lot, we are moving usually 24 hrs a day, and stop while loading or discharging, then gone again. I think my card access is about $60.00 a month or so for unlimited use. I know this is a little out there for what you are doing, but you may consider depending how important e-mail is to you. also there are other plans for limited usage.

My $00.02 worth.

[BLBantz]

Thanks for the help. I found an answer on the Comcast.net website. Some of the server settings needed to be changed. I changed them and things work, but being I'm at home on the Comcast network I have no way of testing whether or not it will work on another network. If not, I'll have to access via their website.