Why won't my computer download emails properly?

[carol8353]

For months now I have been unable to download more than one email at a time.
I have recently returned from a week's holiday and found that 31 emails took nearly an hour!

I am with BT,and the messages I get are usually similiar to the ones below.
Is there anything I can do to make it start working properly again?

I've also been experiencing delayed emails,as much as 3 days later in some cases ,from a friend with a Virgin account.I am on Windows XP and have always used Outlook Express for emails.

  Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible causes for this include server problems, network problems, or a long period of inactivity. Account: 'mail.btinternet.com', Server: 'mail.btinternet.com', Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800CCC0F

Message number 151 could not be retrieved. Account: 'mail.btinternet.com', Server: 'mail.btinternet.com', Protocol: POP3, Server Response: '-ERR inactivity timeout', Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Server Error: 0x800CCC90, Error Number: 0x800420CD
 

Many thanks

Carol

PS in simple terms please,I'm not very good with computers 

[jackhonour]

Hi Carol,

Have you tried the things mentionned in this link: http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6400/c/

A setting could have changed without you knowing.

Jack

[ReadyDale]

I too am with BT and I think their mail servers are particularly sensitive to timeouts. I have noticed that if I try to download mail when I first go online for the day, it often does as you describe. Usually because the Windows or anti-virus updates are coming through. If I leave it a little while, it's fine.
(PS - I'm on NT too, but with full Outlook rather than Express)

[trystan]

Hiya Carol,

We're not with BT ourselves for our broadband.

My thought is that possibly your antivirus program may be out of date and needs updating. Your antivirus (in a way) program sits in between your email program and BT checking each email as it comes in.

Hopefully somebody familiar with BT Internet will be able to give some better ideas.

Trystan

[carol8353]

Hi Carol,

Have you tried the things mentionned in this link: http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6400/c/

A setting could have changed without you knowing.

Jack

Jack thanks for the link,but I don't access my emails via Yahoo.
But have them go into Outlook Express.

I will try and update my Bullguard virus programme Trystan,but it's been like it since early this year and I upgraded to the 2014 version as recently as June.

I have googled the problem and many people seem to be suffering but no resolution has been reached.

Thanks

Carol

[jackhonour]

Hi Carol,

On that link there's a part about Outlook Express:
Microsoft Outlook Express
Click "Tools," and select "Accounts"
Click the "Mail" tab, and choose "Properties"
On the "Servers" tab, ensure that you have not checked "Log on Using Secure Password Authentication" in the Incoming Mail Server section
Make sure you have selected "My Server Requires Authentication" in the Outgoing Mail Server area
Check that "POP3" is listed in the Incoming Mail Server field
On the "Advanced" tab, ensure that you have not selected "This Server Requires a Secure Connection (SSL)" under the Incoming (POP3) or Outgoing (SMTP) Port settings

Might just be worth checking.

Jack

[downside]

Instead of using the email client Outlook Express to download and view your email - can you use webmail instead?

Using your web browser you navigate to the BT website and login directly to read your emails?

If so, are there any problems displaying and reading emails via webmail?

[carol8353]

Oh yes so it does Jack 

Thanks for that,but nothing's changed it's all as it always was and exactly as you suggested.

Boxes ticked and unticked as they should be.

Carol

[carol8353]

Instead of using the email client Outlook Express to download and view your email - can you use webmail instead?

Using your web browser you navigate to the BT website and login directly to read your emails?

If so, are there any problems displaying and reading emails via webmail?

I use webmail when on holiday- I hate it.
The screen is so small,there is so much rubbish on the side of the screen and you can't set it up to have a conversation,as I do on OE.

Those people whom I email regularly all go into personal files and you can follow the thread of the mails going backwards and forwards.

I do use Yahoo for all my non personal mails,including Rootschat,but that's all gone stupid recently too!

Carol