Computer question....
 

This may be obscure - but any help is much appreciated.

We bought a couple new Apples for the oldies and had them installed today. Mom's works perfectly. Dad's works perfectly, EXCEPT he is unable to SEND e-mails (though he can receive them).

All ISP protocols have been entered correctly and confirmed (numerous times). Both computers run off a wireless (Lynksys) router. I'm assuming the router is not the problem because one computer works perfectly - and even the one that cannot send e-mails can receive them.

Even weirder, I can send e-mails on Dad's machine by doing this via the ISP's webmail feature - but not directly.

The ISP tech support guys are baffled - and I am at my wits end.

Can any of you guys point me in the right direction?

Even though its been checked and rechecked... Any off chance that the option to use outgoing server authentication is not checked (or vice versa)?

It's not weird that you can send via webmail... The handshakes are handled differently.

Yup, seems like an SMTP server setting!

I have checked and re-checked these protocols all evening. I am as close to certain as I can be that there are no errors in these. I have also compared them to the working computer, and they are identical except for names and passwords.

Are both machines using the same mail service provider?

Yes. Same ISP. Same router. Same settings - except for user names and passwords.

For the heck if it, maybe try the working mail account info on the machine that can't send mail, and vice-versa.

FWIW.

I was thinking of that too. Have you checked for lint in the smtp port?

Also, are you using Apple's Mail.app?

If so, have you gone into the advanced SMTP settings? There are four different authentication protocols and a place to set a server port number and enable/disable SSL.

It may just need a port cleaning and some socket lube.

I'll try this tomorrow. (I'm at home now.) What would this tell me if it works? Or doesn't?

It could mean the password and/or username for the SMTP server (send mail part) on the machine that is now not working is wrong.

at the risk of appearing a complete idiot - what/where is the smtp port?

but I double and triple checked these with the ISP tech support.

I think Dave is pulling your proxy. :)

It's still Friday. :D:p

How about the above?

edit: Make sure the advanced settings are identical on both machines. If they are, I am stumped.

Stomachmonkey is an expert on the Mac stuff, so maybe he'll chime in!

feck me, I think I could use a port cleaning and some socket lube.

Yes. I've been there. Talked it through with the tech support guy three times. He tells me its all kosher.

Try a hail mary; restart the machine and see what happens.

I am at the end of the road for my knowledge base.

Good luck!