ISP keeps asking for password on email

Le_Kirk

I have searched the forum for answers but it was inconclusive. I am helping an elderly neighbour with his email client (Outlook Express on Window XP SP3) because he is sick of being asked for his password every time he clicks send and receive in his POP3 account.

This only started happening recently and whenever I search for answers it seems everyone reports this as intermittent (the worst type of fault) with no real permanent solution. Because my neighbour now has an iPad and a Smart phone he wants to be able to synchronise his e-mail across all devices so I set up an IMAP account but lo and behold, first time I click on send/receive, up comes the password dialogue box. The settings for the IMAP account are correct and the "remember password" box is ticked.

Any clues anyone please? TIA

Fightsback

If he's going to use XP (really should get rid) then use a still supported email client, thunderbird.

Le_Kirk

Thanks, I am afraid XP will be staying as will Outlook Express. I am really looking for answers as to why this sometimes happens and sometimes not. If we accept that the email account is set up correctly, has been for years, has worked correctly in the past and nothing has been changed in the account, that only leaves the email provider (ISP) in this case BT.

JJ_Egan

All i can suggest is try the settings on his BT email account .

I don't remember OE settings any more .

But try clearing passwords in OE settings .

Cycrow

I cant see how it has anything to do with the ISP.

storing and reusing passwords is something the client does, not the server.

Its most likely something in OE thats causing it

enfield_freddy

just download thunderbird , it's FREE and works , he can keep outlook if he wants a setup that is pathetic . or can use a mail client that works

Fightsback

Le_Kirk wrote: »

Thanks, I am afraid XP will be staying as will Outlook Express. I am really looking for answers as to why this sometimes happens and sometimes not. If we accept that the email account is set up correctly, has been for years, has worked correctly in the past and nothing has been changed in the account, that only leaves the email provider (ISP) in this case BT.

I weaned an 80 year old early Alzheimer's sufferer off Incredimail (urgh) and onto thunderbird, it can be done.

steviebabes

If you have recently changed to BT but use your old email address you will need to set up authentication,
If you wish the authentication to take place automatically, you will need to make the following changes to the configuration of your Outlook Express email account:
Open Outlook Express, select the Tools menu, then Accounts
Select the account you wish to change and click Properties
Click the Servers tab at the top
In the Incoming Mail Server section, check Remember password and enter your password
In the Outgoing Mail Server section, check My server requires authentication, then click Settings and select Use same settings as my incoming mail server
Click OK to close the Settings window, then click Apply to make the changes
Close the Properties window

Le_Kirk

Thanks to everybody who contributed. I had already tried most suggestions apart from changing browsers. I see no need to change stuff when it has been working perfectly well for years. If you clear out the passwords in OE, you get asked for it when you try to send and receive and are given an opportunity to input it. Pressing OK, should send it to the ISP, it is then rejected. How can this be an OE problem. However, problem solved. I have removed accounts from OE and binned it and he is going to use BT Yahoo mail on the BT web site and on his iPad. Just spent an interesting 2 hours on the phone with 2 technical people from BT (India) who took control of the PC trying to solve the problem and couldn't. They did however spend one of the hours installing Google Chrome so that I could import the contact from OE to BT Yahoo, something which IE 8 won't allow. Hey Ho, we are all getting old!!!