Thunderbird settings

[Stiggywig]

Having set up another alias mailbox I'm having problems using it. It appears to function fully if I use Webmail but although Thunderbird receives incoming mail to the new mailbox it fails when trying to send from it "The message could not be sent because the connection to Outgoing server (SMTP) timed out. Try again."  I have compared the server settings to those of another alias that works perfectly and can see no difference, but................

...............my email password is the original 8 characters from account opening years ago. T'bird does not normally prompt for it. In setting up the new mailbox there was no option but to create a new password for it of 12 characters. I thought that this might be causing a problem but since I have to input that password every time I begin a session with the new mailbox I don't see why that should be the cause of my problem. Help! - it's all driving me nuts.

[Billx]

If it is just 1 alias your thinking of, maybe that might OK.

But as I said, I have not tried to use a TalkTalk email alias on Thunderbird.

Bill

[Stiggywig]

Thanks Billx, gap filled. I had not seen that within MM there was an option to create aliases and had created a new address. The one alias I have was to rid myself 16 years ago of the allocated 'bwqs04@dsl.pipex.com' in favour of 'mysurname@dsl.pipex.com'.

[Billx]

No, alias addresses are the only other thing you can create in the Mailbox Manager, apart from the 5 email addresses, and changing passwords of the 5 email addresses.

For me 5 email addresses are ample, why would I need t get involved with the complexities of aliases?

I can't understand why anyone would want to.

Edit: apparently, one can create a limitless number of aliases spread under the 5 email addresses.

But that's very silly. Why allow that?

I actually did create a number of aliases, some weeks ago. I didn't actively use them.

Days later I had some original spam email, coming into the email addresses, under which the aliases belonged.

Some of those spam emails didn't even have a To: field. But they did manage to come to the corresponding email address, under which the aliases were defined. Anyway, I have deleted them now for the time being.

Bill

[Stiggywig]

I think billx you have revealed another gap in my knowledge when you say you wouldn't use alias addresses - what would you choose to use instead? Is there an option in Mailbox Manager to create something other than an alias?

[Billx]

Hi, @Stiggywig 

The enforcing of the minimum 12-character-password standard is done by the new 'Mailbox Manager', when a new email address\email account is created via 'Mailbox Manager'. (I prefer calling it, Email Addresses Manager.) Any existing email addresses, existing before the coming of the new Mailbox Manager and having shorter than 12-character passwords, will be left as is. And Mailbox Manager will in that case not enforce the minimum 12-character-password standard. The Mailbox Manager is the only place where one can create a new TalkTalk email address.

As far as aliases are concerned, I would not use them.

If an alias is created, it comes under the original email address, (for which there is a limit of a total of 5 email addresses).

Since the alias comes under an existing email address, it would use the same password. One can't create a separate password for an alias. Whether you can create a separate email address in Thunderbird using a TalkTalk alias. I don't know. I haven't tested it.

It seems to me, an alias is just a fancy way of masquerading.

Bill

[nomfezeko-TT]

Thank you for the response @Stiggywig,I understand that you’re feeling frustrated with the requirement to create a 12-character password, I am so sorry for such experience.  Have you tried the troubleshooting advice provided by @fr8ys on the thread if it will help with the issue?

-Fez. 

[Stiggywig]

Hi nomfezeko-TT the results of checking your suggestions:-view

-Please double-check the SMTP server settings – checked again – identical to those for non-problem mailboxes.

- Authentication method for the SMTP server - set to "Normal password", tried using "OAuth2" – no effect.

-....ensure that you are using this new password for the SMTP settings. T’bird was prompting for password when attempting to send. Saved the new password – no effect.

- firewall or antivirus software can block outgoing connections… checked, no apparent impediments.

- connect to a different network, not yet tested.

- version of Thunderbird, up to date.

I'm thinking of undoing everything and trying again but my gut tells me it'll probably be pointless. But I feel there should be a way to avoid being forced to create this 12 character password.

[nomfezeko-TT]

Thank you so much @fr8ys. @Stiggywig , please do try the troubleshooting advice provided and let us know how it goes.

-Fez. 

[fr8ys]

If you have changed your password on that email address, the dame about the password holding in Thunderbird should still be correct.

On the pop up box that appears does it not give the option to save the password?

If not, then under accounts, you should be able to select your email address and input and save the password.

Here's a google search. The Mozilla help is the third option down.

https://www.google.com/search?q=saving+email+password+in+thunderbird&oq=saving+email+password+in+thu...

Hope this helps.

[nomfezeko-TT]

Based on your description, it sounds like there may be a few areas we can check to troubleshoot the sending issue. Here are some steps you can follow:

-Please double-check the SMTP server settings for your new alias mailbox. Ensure that the server address, port number, and security settings (SSL/TLS) match those of your other alias that is working correctly.

- Make sure that the authentication method for the SMTP server is set correctly. It should typically be set to "Normal password" or "OAuth2," depending on your email provider's requirements.

-Since you mentioned that you created a new password for the alias, ensure that you are using this new password for the SMTP settings. If Thunderbird is not prompting you for the password, you may need to remove the saved password for the SMTP server in Thunderbird's password manager and re-enter it.

- Sometimes, firewall or antivirus software can block outgoing connections. Please check if your firewall or antivirus settings are preventing Thunderbird from sending emails.

-You can also try sending an email while connected to a different network (like a mobile hotspot) to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is related to your current network.

- Ensure that you are using the latest version of Thunderbird, as updates can fix bugs and improve compatibility.

If you've gone through these steps and are still having trouble, please let me know, and we can explore further options. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we want to ensure that your email functions smoothly. Thank you for your patience, and I look forward to assisting you further.

-Fez. 

[Stiggywig]

My thanks to @fr8ys,   I have already deleted and recreated to no effect. My normal password account gives me access to webmail. It does not allow access to the new mailbox. It was not T'bird that prompted a change of password, it was part of the Mailbox Manager set up process to create the new mailbox. I tried using my normal account password which was rejected as it was less than 12 characters.

[nomfezeko-TT]

Thank you @fr8ys, I appreciate your assistance. 

-Fez. 

[fr8ys]

Thunderbird shouldn't be prompting you to change your password from 8 to 12 characters. It is your normal TalkTalk password for this account that is required. Double check the password for your account by opening webmail and seeing if this allows you access.

In thunderbird, once you input the correct password and save this you should not be prompted again for it (if you are its normally when the talkserbers are down for some reason).

It might be an idea to remove this account from thunderbird and re-add it to ensure a clean installation.

Hope this helps.