Can't send email from Outlook 2002 or Outlook Express 6

[Jim]

I'm using WinXP Pro SP2 (I installed SP2 shortly after it came out) on
a home PC. Until Dec 23, I was using it, AVG 7.0 (free version) to scan
email, and Outlook Express 6 for my email program. Everything worked
fine. On Dec 23, I *think* I installed these critical and optional
updates from Microsoft:

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Windows Media Connect
KB834707
KB886185
KB873339
KB885835
KB885836
KB887797
Media Player 10
and possibly Outlook Express Q823353

My wife's PC, linked via a Linksys BEFW11S4 ver.2 router and WUSB11
WAP, has the same setup, and I installed the same updates on it.

The first indication that something was wrong was AVG saying that some
messages couldn't be delivered. I have since learned that AVG's email
scanner is unnecessary, so I first disabled the email scanning, then
later even uninstalled AVG itself.

I have not been able to send email (I can receive email fine; I can
also browse the web fine). Outlook 2002 is also on my PC, but I haven't
been using it. However, this week I brought home the exported .pst file
from my work PC (I'm retiring next week) and imported it into my home
Outlook. Since OE wouldn't send email, I thought I'd try Outlook. It
won't send, either. I installed Outlook 2002 SP3. I have checked and
changed email account settings countless times. I am able to send
Outlook's test messages successfully, but I understand that uses a
different set of commands. I have uninstalled and reinstalled Win XP's
SP2 and the updates I installed on Dec 23. Nothing helps. When I send a
message from Outlook, I get these error messages:

Task '0 POP3.direcway.com - Sending' reported error (0x800CCC0B) :
'Unknown Error 0x800CCC0B'
Task '0 POP3.direcway.com - Sending' reported error (0x8004210B) : 'The
operation timed out waiting for a response from the sending (SMTP)
server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server
administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'

I did many Google searches of the web and groups. I installed Office
SP3. I added a UseInetcommCS dword to the
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook in the Registry.
When I first added this to the Registry, I *was* able to send email
from both Outlook and OE, but the next day, I couldn't.

I ran sfc /scannow with my WinXP SP1 CD.

I am using DirecWay for my ISP, and I am able to send email via its
webmail. I verified that DirecWay is not having any trouble with its
SMTP servers. Their technician, via chat, only suggested: "This problem
occurs when the read receipt notification e-mail message is processed
by a Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server computer by using the Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol (SMTP) protocol with anonymous access authentication
turned off." "To resolve this problem, obtain the August 2004 Exchange
2000 Server Post-Service Pack 3 update rollup." I tried that update,
but it said it was not applicable to me. The DirecWay tech also asked,
"Are you able to send and receive in webmail.mydirecway.com?" and when
I said "Yes", he said, "Then the issue is with Outlook . Please update
your Outlook or call microsoft technical support and they will be able
to fix the problem ."

I also have my own domain. If I try to send a message from OE or
Outlook via an account on my domain, I get the same errors as mentioned
above.

Since I can't email a post to newsgroujps, I had to post this via
Google Groups. If there's a more appropriate newsgroup, please let me
know, and I'll post to it.

*Please* help me solve my problem.

Jim

 

[Jim]

Turns out my wife's computer wasn't set up exactly like mine. While
my PC was set up to be notified of available updates, her PC was set up
to do automatic updates, and the only update installed on her PC on Dec
23 was KB887797. Today, I created a Restore point and uninstalled that
update. Still can't send email from her Outlook Express. So, I went
back to the Restore point with the update installed.

Can it be possible that I'm having trouble with the Linksys router
(model given in previous message)? What can I check on it to see if
everything is as it should be?

Thanks.

Jim

 

[Jim]

Well, I fixed it!!! It was the d***** DirecWay modem! I unplugged its
power cord for about 30 sec to reset it, then plugged it back in. All
worked: sending email, attachments, FTP, etc.! What ticks me off is
that, all along, its front indicator lights all indicated everything
was operating properly, and its system web page did, too! I checked
these things when my problem began. I'm just happy everything is
back to normal. <whew!> I thought I'd never fix it without doing a
complete reinstall.