Quote Originally Posted by WireBeard View Post
(putting on a very dusty Tier II Support manager's hat)

In no specific order.....

1. Did both machines' email ever work concurrently on the router?
2. Is Thunderbird open on both machines simultaneously?
3. Is he trying to access POP or IMAP Gmail via Thunderbird? If he is trying to access ATT email, have you checked the settings for ATT? They may have changed it from pop.bellsouth.com for example to pop.att.com (if the Mac is working, I doubt this is the problem, but worth a look).
4. Have you uninstalled Thunderbird on the Dell and done a clean install, using the config instructions from GMail?
5. Is the behavior the same with the Mac disconnected from the network?
6. Does the Dell get to the Internet?
7. As mentioned, try flushing the DNS cache.
8. Try having XP "repair" the Ethernet connection: right-click on the little PC icon down in the toolbar (near the clock,etc.) This will execute several commands related to the connectivity, releasing and renewing the IP, etc.

As for Macs vs. PC handling of data, Macs handle things like Unix (Mac OS is Unix-based....thus the lack of overhead versus Windows), so the Mac may connect while the PC will not.
9. Have you tried laying a rosary on the CPU?
Now this one I can handle ----- or a foot up the behind.


Seriously, thanks fellas for the info --- I'll take a look at all of this and report back.

Man I wish I knew more about this stuff as to not be a dodo.

For now:

(1) Yes
(2) could be
(3) I tried changing to mail.att.net (their recommendation) ---it was mail.bellsouth.net for both the incoming and outgoing servers. Upon changing, it said it couldn't find server.
(4) NO
(5) I'll see
(6) Yes
(7) OK
(8) OK

For now the incoming port on both machines is 100 and outgoing is 25. I have read that mail.bellsouth.net has been being put on a blacklist do to spam problems.

I don't know what ports really are in this context but port 25 for at&t is suppose to be a more secure port but can cause time outs if all credentials aren't meant.

My situation as of last night seems to be that the Dell can send email , even with large attachments, slowly, but can do it. But receiving email seems to be hit and miss ----------- a little ghost in the machine (I need my computer cleared --- damn Louisiana voodoo or something)

Justin