pop3 server difficulties - just me?

[hierophant]

Hi there,
I'm having difficulty logging into the pop3.swiftdsl.com.au server to access my mail.
The smtp servers are working fine, so I can send mail perfectly - but when it comes to receiving, no luck.
Strangely, my comp says it can connect to the pop3 server, but then it has trouble logging into it.

Anyone else having similar problems?

I've reconfigured my mail client to use the imap server in the meantime. Coincidentally, whats the major difference between imap and pop3? Excuse the ignorance. :)

Thanks a lot, a great service.

Hiero

[hierophant]

Ahh, as is usually the case this was a PEBKAC issue. =)

Well, partially anyway. My software firewall malfunctioned and shut down yesterday, in doing so locking down various aspects of my computers access - pop3 port being one of the victims.

Cheers

[Antonio]

POP3 downloads the messages from the server onto your computer, whilst IMAP keeps the messages stored on the server.

Advantage of IMAP is that it stays on the server so you can access your mail from wherever, you can also use WebMail at the same time, with all the messages still there.

[PT_Richard]

Hi hierophant,

Port#'s

pop3 110/tcp/udp
imap3 220/tcp/udp

Try a different MTU within your modem settings 1492 or 1420.

Test that your username / password work via the webmail:

http://webmail.swiftdsl.com.au

Regards,

Richard

[hierophant]

Thanks for the information.
I played around with IMAP - I think its got value really, since it affords the convenience of being able to function alongside webmail checking..

Anyway, problem solved. Dodgy software firewall playing tricks is all it was. POP3 access now works fine!