Outlook Express Problems

[Esco!]

I have a problem with my outlook express, every time I start up my computer my outlook express settings have changed The servers tab (incoming mail pop3) reverts from pophm.sympatico.ca to some number and my advanced tab (incoming mail pop3) changes from 995 to 25. Every time I start up my PC I have to manually change these settings back so I can send and receive mail.

Does anybody know why its doing that and how can I fix it????

 

[great bear]

Eschohort: I would like to be able to help you but I have difficulty turning my dishwasher on let alone understanding computers.

 

[Goober Mcfly]

Sounds like a virus to me. Or adware. Or scumware.

Scan, remove, reboot. And get a real email client. Sheesh.

 

[n_v]

Don't use any Microsoft email programs. If you do you are just asking for trouble.

 

[docdave]

I agree

the first thing you need to do is scan your computer vigorously for virus and spyware activity. If you need help with getting some good programs for that pm me and i can direct you...
After that, make sure you do a complete backup of all the files you wish to save... I know that sounds trivial, but you'd be suprised how many people dont do backups and then bitch when they lose everything.
Typically, if a virus or spyware has propogated itself to the level where it is reseting your email and server connections, you may be too far gone and may need to do a full format of your hard drive and start over again. When doing this though, to make a disk 100% clean, you need to format it 7 times. This is good information if you ever need to clean your HD up for oher reasons. There are programs out there that even though you thought you have wiped your disk clean, can still find and rebuild the traces of where you have been and what kind of files have been stored on your machine... And as we are all aware with spyware, there are always 3-4 porn sites that may be questionable to say the least, that pop up and leave traces on yoru machine.. Good luck

 

[CityOfJoy]

My suggestion.. use Thunderbird.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

I am making a conscious effort to stay away from MS IE, OE, etc if I can. Mozilla offers much better suite of products which work far better to prevent unwanted pops, spyware, adware.

I would also highly recommend you to have some kind of firewall setup, specially if you are using an "always on" internet like the ones offered by Rogers Hi Speed or Sympatico.

Also, ensure you have latest Service Pack for Windows - XP or 2000. As intimidating as it is, it is essential to keep your PC up to date and do all you can to prevent hacks.

 

[Esco!]

Docdave, thanks for the advice but I'm running 3 different ad and spyware programs and I have McAfee internet security and none are picking anything up.
I have a feeling its not spyware but I'm not sure

 

[Esco!]

My suggestion.. use Thunderbird.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

I am making a conscious effort to stay away from MS IE, OE, etc if I can. Mozilla offers much better suite of products which work far better to prevent unwanted pops, spyware, adware.

I would also highly recommend you to have some kind of firewall setup, specially if you are using an "always on" internet like the ones offered by Rogers Hi Speed or Sympatico.

Also, ensure you have latest Service Pack for Windows - XP or 2000. As intimidating as it is, it is essential to keep your PC up to date and do all you can to prevent hacks.

I only use firefox, I have a firewall, and I have sympatico ultra. I also have the latest service packs

 

[langeweile]

Docdave, thanks for the advice but I'm running 3 different ad and spyware programs and I have McAfee internet security and none are picking anything up.
I have a feeling its not spyware but I'm not sure

Out of my experience i know that not all spyware cleaners are created equal. On several ocassions I have used 2 or three different programs and each of them has picked up spyware than the other didn't get.

The two that i believe do a good job is Spybot Search&Destroy and the Microsoft Beta1 Antispy software. There might be better ones out there, but those two are free. although Spybot is asking for donations.
Good luck.

 

[Jacques_Offe]

run only one

Docdave, thanks for the advice but I'm running 3 different ad and spyware programs and I have McAfee internet security and none are picking anything up.

Running more than one of any program, spyware, antivurus is not good idea.....................

Just my 2 cents

 

[Tank69]

Just a quick warning with Spybot Search and Destroy. Cogeco's new Security Package from F-Secure comes with something called 'Backweb Lite' or 'Backweb'. SpybotS&D marks this as Spyware(probably for good reason), and if you remove it using this program YOU WILL run into problems with your Internet and Email with various messages about 'Illegal Operations' and other problems at StartUp. I spent hours today tracking down the source of my problem and fixing it. I had to finally uninstall this security program and then reinstall it clean(I know, I should stick with Trend or Norton, but I'm already paying for the Broadband, so I thought I'd use their features rather than forking out more money for another AV/SpamFilter). Everything's all better now, but I almost went f@#king yampy trying to sort it out. Thank f@3k for the laptop!
Cheers!

 

[MarkII]

One thing to look at is what "process's" are running on your system. If running XP...a simple CTRL-ALT_DEL will bring up the Task Manager. Click on the process tab. Looking down the list some will be evident as to what they are. If you're not sure google the name of the process. You'll get all the info you need. If you find something that is definetly spam or virsu related you can remove it from the startup by going to: START...then HELP...click on the TOOLS list and select system configuartion...

In System Configuration select the stratup tab and deselt the process or program you do not want to run at startup. (It's a good idea to occasionally check what's loaded at startup. Many programs like Real Audio, Quicktime and a lot of others do not need to resident in memory all the time.)

Reboot and see if the system is rnning better.

The other option you have is a system restore.

You'll find the restore option in the start/allprograms/accesories/system tools menu.

Select a date prior to where you noticed the problem. You won't lose any data you've created since that date. Tell the system to restore..(I suggest using a loud voice) and let it do it's thing.

One or both should fix the problem.

If you do identify a viral problem check out Symantec or MaCafee's site for instructions on how to remove selected virus's.

Other than that try open source email and browsers. They work very well and are not as suseptible to MS viral attacks.

 

[MartiniGirls]

Don't use any Microsoft email programs. If you do you are just asking for trouble.

exactally n_v, get thunderbird !!
www.mozilla.org

 

[Esco!]

Guys, thanks for all advice but I managed to fix it.
It was my farked up settings that caused the prob.

Cheers!!

 

[Dancerfan]

Outlook Express

Dunno why anyone would bother using Outlook Express at all,i did at one time and then i found that web based email is much better,faster and can be accessed anywhere theres an internet connection!

 

[n_v]

Dunno why anyone would bother using Outlook Express at all,i did at one time and then i found that web based email is much better,faster and can be accessed anywhere theres an internet connection!

Because to access the email you MUST be connected to the interenet. Plus your files reside on THEIR server and not on your machine.

 

[Dancerfan]

Because to access the email you MUST be connected to the interenet. Plus your files reside on THEIR server and not on your machine.

Well,dont you have be connected to the internet to recieve email in the first place??
And any files you want to keep you can download right to your machine and keep the other files on THEIR server rather than fill up your hard drive!
Maybe for business use that would be the way to go,but for most ppl using PC's at home webmail would be a lot better IMHO

 

[n_v]

Well,dont you have be connected to the internet to recieve email in the first place??

Yes you do. But after you download it, in the future you don't have to connect to the internet to view that same email. This is good if someone is on dial up or having issues with the internet and can't get online.

Maybe for business use that would be the way to go,but for most ppl using PC's at home webmail would be a lot better IMHO

That's just what it is. YOUR HO.

 

[Svend]

Yes, I'd avoid Outlook as well. There are plenty of free large capacity email accounts with more privacy and less hacker prone. They are much easier to configure also.