Knowledge Database

One of the most common support calls we receive at Bower Web Solutions involves problems sending and receiving e-mails. However, this is very seldom a problem with our servers.

Here are some simple steps you can take to try and find the cause of the issue?

1. Do you have Internet access?
   It seems obvious, but it's often the problem. Since browsers cache web pages, the best way to check is to go to a site that is constantly refreshed, such as nytimes.com or cnn.com and check for the current date and time.
2. Restart Your E-Mail Client Software / Computer.
   Rebooting usually can reset a computer's necessary functions if they are not working properly. Microsoft products such as Outlook especially often work after being rebooted.
3. Try Sending an E-mail Using Webmail.
   Both as a diagnostic tool and as a resource for times when you don't have access to your computer, Bower Web Solutions offers all of its e-mail clients online access to their e-mail through a web interface for both our Linux and Windows Hosting customers.
   Linux email login / Windows Email login or simply go to the client login top right corner of any page on our website and choose email on your platform (most clients are on the Linux platform).
   Remember to use your email address and that logins are case sensitive (watch those cap locks). As a security precaution, more then 4 failed logins can lock you and everyone at your location out of our server.
   
4. Review Your E-mail Settings.
   Review the e-mail settings for your account. Bower Web has set up tutorials for most common e-mail software packages.
General E-Mail Settings for Outlook 2007 for PC
General E-Mail Settings for Mail for Mac OS 10.5


5. If your problem is just sending e-mail, often your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has blocked outgoing mail. Please review the tutorial on how to correct this common problem.