Outlook problems often messy

Nov 14, 2008 (The Paducah Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- BBY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Q: "I have a computer question or better said a software question. I recently bought a new computer. It has the Outlook software installed. As you can see, I am on BellSouth and use their e-mail program. I want to use the Outlook program for e-mail. When I compose an e-mail on Outlook, and then hit the send icon, it does not send. If you can help, please do. I will need fairly detailed instructions because I have used all of the help offered on the computer and I have not solved this problem. I would appreciate your help."

-- David W. Shelby of Paducah

A: Unfortunately, David, problems with Outlook tend to be messy. A number of things can cause what you're experiencing and most of them are technical in figuring out how to fix them.

I offer what help I can below. But I also suggest you either get a really technology-savvy person to your home to work on the problem or shell out the money and have a Geek Squad person at Best Buy help out.

Before you spend any money know this: the most common reason Outlook e-mails don't go out or come in seems to have to do with firewalls. Firewalls are programs that act as security measures to prevent unauthorized electronic access to a networked computer system. Or, they keep others out of your programs that are hooked up to a network, like Outlook.

But unless a firewall is set up in a certain way, it can also block you from sending or receiving e-mail messages.

Firewalls on your computer can be there because of several programs. How to fix the firewall to let you send/receive e-mails depends on which program you're using.

You probably have Norton AntiVirus of some kind on your computer. I suggest you uninstall it and then install it again. This might end the problem.

If not, go to this Web site. This link has steps to follow to let Norton let Outlook work.

http://solutions.symantec.com/sdccommon/asp/symcu-defcontent-view.asp?ssfromlink=true&sprt-cid=7de49729-bf02-462b-952e-408dde15fdb7&docid=20070613182306EN

It's long, I know. Sorry (I told you this is messy).

I hate to send you to another fix-it site but this link has detailed steps that we don't have room in the paper to print anyway.

The problem could also be with the Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server (ISA Server).

A good explanation and solution is found at this Web site: http://www.isaserver.org/articles/2004olpop3smtp.html

So is all that about as clear as mud?

I'm all about saving money but the Geek Squad at Best Buy could really help in your case.

Adam Shull is the Sun entertainment writer and tries his best to put computer techno babble into plain English for people with questions. Send him one by calling 575-8653 or e-mailing him at ashull@paducahsun.com.

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