Bad advice from ISP tech support
Discussion
On installing broadband ( simple operation) I found my Outlook Express would not send mail ( error message 0x00CCC7D)though it would receive.
I called the tech support number of my well-known ISP
and was concerned that the guy seemed not sure of what to
do to resolve the problem. The error message should
have told him what the problem was and he should have known how to resolve it with his procedures
He eventually told me that my Outlook Express was corrupted and I must uninstall it then re-install with the help of my computer manufacturer. I knew this advice was wrong and could have caused me many problems had I followed it.
This ISP broadband seemed attractive to me as I have had good tech
support on my dial-up system, apart from once when the guy hung up on me as he could not resolve the problem. Anyone else had such dodgy experiences of tech support from their ISP?
I called the tech support number of my well-known ISP
and was concerned that the guy seemed not sure of what to
do to resolve the problem. The error message should
have told him what the problem was and he should have known how to resolve it with his procedures
He eventually told me that my Outlook Express was corrupted and I must uninstall it then re-install with the help of my computer manufacturer. I knew this advice was wrong and could have caused me many problems had I followed it.
This ISP broadband seemed attractive to me as I have had good tech
support on my dial-up system, apart from once when the guy hung up on me as he could not resolve the problem. Anyone else had such dodgy experiences of tech support from their ISP?
Sorry, but Outlook / outlook express error codes are worse than useless. Try googling 0x00CCC7D and see how far you get, so it's no small wonder that the guy couldn't help you from that.
however... he should have been able to explain to you that when Outlook pops up the error it should give you a bunch of text in addition to the 0x00CCC7D error, which should direct you to where your problem is.
Assuming you don't have this working yet, post the error text here.
however... he should have been able to explain to you that when Outlook pops up the error it should give you a bunch of text in addition to the 0x00CCC7D error, which should direct you to where your problem is.
Assuming you don't have this working yet, post the error text here.
you probably need to check the box on "My server requires authentication" Go to tools, accounts, properties of your mail client then servers, the box should be at the bottom under Outgoing mail server.
BTW, I find the help lines less than useless and don't bother with them.
>> Edited by falcemob on Sunday 22 January 15:18
BTW, I find the help lines less than useless and don't bother with them.
>> Edited by falcemob on Sunday 22 January 15:18
JonRB said:
To be honest, outlook is a microsoft issue, not an isp one.
However, getting the settings set correctly in Outlook is a Microsoft one, as is decyphering their error messages. The extent of the ISP's involvement is only that the user knows what to set the settings to, not how to set the settings.
Ciao
Zak
falcemob said:
you probably need to check the box on "My server requires authentication" Go to tools, accounts, properties of your mail client then servers, the box should be at the bottom under Outgoing mail server.
BTW, I find the help lines less than useless and don't bother with them.
>> Edited by falcemob on Sunday 22 January 15:18
This is what I ticked after searching Google with the error message; then I clicked "Apply" but it seemed not to work. Then the next day when I started up the PC, the mail began working fine. It has been OK since. Does the PC need to be rebooted for the changes to take effect? I thought by hitting 'Apply' that would do it.
Tafia said:
you probably need to check the box on "My server requires authentication" Go to tools, accounts, properties of your mail client then servers, the box should be at the bottom under Outgoing mail server.
BTW, I find the help lines less than useless and don't bother with them.
>> Edited by falcemob on Sunday 22 January 15:18
This is what I ticked after searching Google with the error message; then I clicked "Apply" but it seemed not to work. Then the next day when I started up the PC, the mail began working fine. It has been OK since. Does the PC need to be rebooted for the changes to take effect? I thought by hitting 'Apply' that would do it.
I tend to find any problems I have with IE or Outlook Express need a reboot after any changes are made.
zaktoo said:
To be honest, outlook is a microsoft issue, not an isp one.
However, getting the settings set correctly in Outlook is a Microsoft one, as is decyphering their error messages. The extent of the ISP's involvement is only that the user knows what to set the settings to, not how to set the settings.
Ciao
Zak
zaktoo is correct. sometime outlook gives utterly rubbish error messages that a help desk doesnt have a chance of answering. i've had to recommend to several clients to use Thunderbird when Outlook goes wrong.
_dobbo_ said:
Sorry, but Outlook / outlook express error codes are worse than useless. Try googling 0x00CCC7D and see how far you get, so it's no small wonder that the guy couldn't help you from that.
however... he should have been able to explain to you that when Outlook pops up the error it should give you a bunch of text in addition to the 0x00CCC7D error, which should direct you to where your problem is.
Assuming you don't have this working yet, post the error text here.
There are loads of hits for that in Google. It would help if you (or the technical support guy) knew all the error codes started 0x800 though
I wouldn't discount a particular supplier based on the (incorrect) information you gave them. 1st line support are generally pretty bad at most ISP's - reading from a script, or with limited knowledge.
D
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Monday 23 January 09:41
_dobbo_ said:
It would help if you (or the technical support guy) knew all the error codes started 0x800 though
You've made my point for me - Outlook errors are worse than useless.
Have I? I'm not so sure. If I Google for the error code he got, I get a million and 1 pages telling me how to fix it. So, it was pretty useful to me. If I Google for an error code that Outlook Express will never give you, I don't get an answer
www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=0x800CCC7D+outlook+express&meta=
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Monday 23 January 13:50
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Monday 23 January 13:50
_DeeJay_ said:
Have I? I'm not so sure. If I Google for the error code he got, I get a million and 1 pages telling me how to fix it. So, it was pretty useful to me. If I Google for an error code that Outlook Express will never give you, I don't get an answer
www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=0x800CCC7D+outlook+express&meta=
I've seen various error codes in my time - had a new one at the weekend. Basically it was a general connectivity error code but infact was just the wrong password to connect to the ISP. Don't believe the codes the error may have nothing to do with the process that is generating them.
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