error 4

[jlindo]

Hello,

I just started using automsw. Sent some emails through my gmail account yesterday.

I was now looking to send through my mailserver (or my hosting providers mail server). However when I try to do this I get the following job log

Job Started: (3/13/2010 14:46.03 v4.1)
From: jason@srinnovations.ca
Method: SMTP Server
Server: smtp.ultrahosting.com
Port: 25
Using Authentication: jason@srinnovations.ca
Secure Connection (SSL): No
To: C:\Users\jason\Documents\QuitandWin\ftestsample.csv
Delimiter: Comma
Subject: QuitNow & WIN Contest
Text Message: C:\Users\jason\Documents\QuitandWin\emlinvite.txt
HTML Message: None
Attachments: 0
Options:
Pause: 5
Threads: 1
Retry: 5
Receive Timeout: 30
Send Timeout: 30
Verify Only When Sending Direct: 0
Skip Duplicate Recipients: 0
License: Standard (61608)
Pass 1, Thread 1: (14:46.03) # 1, Sending To: jasonalindo@yahoo.ca
Pass 1, Thread 1: (14:46.24) # 1, To: jasonalindo@yahoo.ca. Server: smtp.ultrahosting.com. Error 4. Message: Bad Greeting. Socket recv error: 10054. An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
Pass 1, Thread 1: (14:46.29) # 2, Sending To: jli2325@yahoo.ca
Pass 1, Thread 1: (14:46.50) # 2, To: jli2325@yahoo.ca. Server: smtp.ultrahosting.com. Error 4. Message: Bad Greeting. Socket recv error: 10054. An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
Pass 1, Thread 1: (14:46.55) Completed Successfully
Pass 1. Sent Count: 0 Failed Count: 2
Pass 2, Thread 1: (14:46.56) # 1, Sending To: jasonalindo@yahoo.ca
Pass 2, Thread 1: (14:47.17) # 1, To: jasonalindo@yahoo.ca. Server: smtp.ultrahosting.com. Error 4. Message: Bad Greeting. Socket recv error: 10054. An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
Pass 2, Thread 1: (14:47.22) # 2, Sending To: jli2325@yahoo.ca
Pass 2, Thread 1: (14:47.43) # 2, To: jli2325@yahoo.ca. Server: smtp.ultrahosting.com. Error 4. Message: Bad Greeting. Socket recv error: 10054. An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
Pass 2, Thread 1: (14:47.4 Completed Successfully
Pass 2. Sent Count: 0 Failed Count: 2
Pass 3, Thread 1: (14:47.4 # 1, Sending To: jasonalindo@yahoo.ca
Pass 3, Thread 1: (14:47.49) Closed socket successfully.
Pass 3, Thread 1: (14:47.49) # 1, To: jasonalindo@yahoo.ca. Server: smtp.ultrahosting.com. Error 4. Message: Bad Greeting. Socket recv error: 10053. An established connection was aborted by the software in your host machine.
Pass 3, Thread 1: (14:47.49) # 2, Sending To: jli2325@yahoo.ca
Pass 3, Thread 1: (14:47.50) Stopped Successfully
Pass 3. Sent Count: 0 Failed Count: 1
Result: Incomplete (See Current Job Log)
Total E-Mail Count for Job: Sent: 0 Failed: 1
Job Ended : (3/13/2010 14:47.50)


I checked with my provider and they confirmed the settings I was using were correct. They suggested that the application isn't RFC compliant and isn't submitting the proper commands to the destination mail server to identify itself.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[beiley]

Hi jlindo,

AutoMSW is RFC compliant, that isn't the problem. The problem is something is forcibly closing your connection between AutoMSW on your PC and that mail server. It could be any of these things:

1) Some firewall software running on your computer
2) Your ISP terminating your connection, probably because it is blocking port 25.
3) The destination mail server for some reason is killing the connection.

The most likely one is probably #2. You might see if your hosting provider can accept smtp connections on a port other than 25, and then try that. You can also experiment by trying to use a program like Outlook Express (Windows Mail) and set it up using the same settings and seeing if you can send. If you can send with that program, then use the same settings in AutoMSW.

For instructions on testing the blocking of port 25 by your ISP, please see this:

http://www.automsw.com/faq.html#port25

Mark

[jlindo]

Hi,

I tried testing port 25. All I got was a message that said press any key to continue. I had to press twince and then got connection to the host was lost.

Could this be a firewall issue on my machine. I am running windows vista home premium.

[beiley]

Sounds like your ISP is blocking your port 25. This means you'll either have to use a different port, or get your ISP to lift this restriction. Usually an ISP will block port 25 on residential accounts, but you can often pay extra to get a business account. Alternatively, many mail servers accept SMTP connections on ports other than 25. Ask your mail server provider if they offer other ports.

Mark

[jlindo]

hi,

I don't think I am explaining myself properly. I have a virtual private server with my own smtp mail server on my domain which relays to the hosting providers server.

So I am simply trying to connect to my mail server to send emails and this is where I am getting the errors.

[beiley]

Hi jlindo,

You still have to be able to communicate on whatever port you're choosing for your mail server. You can try the port 25 test to your mail server. Start up a telnet session, and do a:

open smtp.ultrahosting.com 25

from the telnet prompt. Press Enter. What does it say?

If you're not able to connect to your mail server on port 25, you can either configure it to accept smtp connections on another port, or use a different mail server, or get your ISP to not block your port 25.

Mark

[jlindo]

HI Mark,

I can connect to both mail.srinnovations.ca and ultrahosting smtp server. The problem is that it just won't send. In automsw it says the connection was forcibly closed by the remote host and in outlook it connects but says it can't send the test email.

I have tried talking to my hosting provider to explain that while I am allowed to connect something is blocking the mail from going through.

Any thoughts? I am really desperate and frustrated and would appreciate any help. Thanks

[beiley]

Hi jlindo,

What happens when you did the telnet experiment?

It really sounds like your ISP is forcibly closing any connection made on port 25. You should try using a mail server that accepts connections on ports other than 25.

Have you called your ISP and asked them about whether or not they block your port 25 to other mail servers besides theirs?

Mark

[jlindo]

Hi Mark,

Thanks. Yes I have contacted them about this. When I did telnet it seemed to connect. It just won't hold the connection to send a message.

I have discussed with them and even offered to pay for tech support for assistance with this.

My only option now is to pay for a smtp service which I should not have to do since I am already paying for a server which is supposed to have a reliable mail server.

Anyway, I am going to check out the link you provided earlier. Please note I am looking for a smtp server that will allow me to send emails in batches of 2000 fairly quickly, so if you have any other links please let me know.

Thanks for all your help.

[jlindo]

Hi Again Mark,

I don't know if it was in this thread or if I found it somewhere else.

Could you provide me info about any smtp mail server service that I could start using asap to send my remaining emails? Thanks

[beiley]

Hi jlindo,

You might check out:

www.fastmail.fm

We are not associated with them, but I know they offer this service, and you can connect to their mail servers on ports other than 25.

Mark

[jlindo]

Hi Mark,

Thanks. I have been on their site. I can't find anything on there about email limits. Please not that I need to be able to send 5500 emails in one day (not every day) to provide web survey invitations.

I don't want to get caught by limitations like with gmail. Thanks

[beiley]

Hi jlindo,

They do publish their quotas. They are higher, the more advanced plan you buy. See this page:

http://www.fastmail.fm/pages/fastmail/docs/pricingtbl.html

For example, their "Enhanced" plan allows you to send 2000 emails per hour. You'd want to set the threads to 1 in AutoMSW, and set the delay to 2 seconds. This way, you'll stay below 1800/hour.

Mark