Argosoft Mail Server Pro Help Files
Legacy software. Help files may disappear from the site.
Q After installing the server on Windows Vista, I keep getting “Access Denied” errors when I start the controller application. How do I solve the problem?
AFirst, make sure to run the setup executable (mspro.exe, or msplus.exe) as an administrator (right click it, select Run as Administrator);
Windows Vista has more advanced security then earlir versions. The service itself starts fine from Service Control Manager, which is a part of control panel, but, mail server controller application is having access problems.
The problem is pretty easy to solve. Either run it by right clicking the ArGoSoft Mail Server icon on the desktop, it and selecting Run as Administrator, or, right click the icon on your desktop, select Properties, then Compatibility, and check Run this program as an administrator option in the Privilege Level section. After making this change simple double click will launch the program.
“Live Logging” does not appear to be working on Vista (problem, similar to this one).
Applies to all versions
Q I installed your server, everything is configured properly, but when I try to send mail outside of my local domain, I am getting Network Unreachable, or Time Out error. It happens with all destination domains. What’s wrong?
A It happens, when your ISP blocks port 25. Use our Mail Relay Service. It works with all (Freeware, Plus and Pro 1.8.8.8 or later) versions.
As an alternative, you can use Smart Server feature (works only with Plus and Pro versions). Use of smart server though defeats the purpose of using your own mail server, because all mail will go through your ISP. For more information about the smart server, see the help file of your mail server.
Use this utility to find out if your port 25 is blocked. Make sure to run it on the same computer where you are running our server.
Applies to Pro version
Q When I send mail to one of my accounts, I get “Command (something) not understood” bounced messages. What does it mean?
A You are sending mail to your Mailing List Server Control Account. Go to Tools – Mailing List Server, and change “Control Account” to [undefined], or to an account you want to use as a mailing list server control account (if you use mailing lists).
Currently, you are sending mail to an account, which is defined as a mailing list server control account; each email received there is interpreted as a mailing list server command. Server does not understand them, because your email message bodies do not match defined commands, and bounces mail back;
Applies to Pro Version
Q Users keep getting “Message cannot be sent due to inappropriate content” errors when I try to send mail. What causes these errors?
A This error comes from filters (Tools – Anti Spam – Filters). Make sure there is nothing in the message, which matches entries in your filters. Please be careful with filters, do not use entries you are not sure about.
It is possible, that the message will get rejected, when there is no match with filters, especially, if message contains attachment. Attachments are encoded mostly, using base64 method, which turns binary data into a certain sequence of text characters. If you are using short words in filters, chances are, that there will be a match with the encoded text data.
If you want to use short words in text filters, enter them twice: once with a space character in the beginning, and once with a space character at the end. It will ensure, that random matches will not happen (space is not used in base64 encoding).
Applies to All Versions
Q I am receiving bounced messages, telling me that emails sent by me were not delivered, because it contained spam. I never sent those messages. What is happening?
A Anyone can fake any return address. Go to your email client, and specify any return address you want. It will work fine.
Some spammers seem to be faking return addresses from your domain, sending mail out, recipient filters detect spam, bounce mail back, and they are coming to your domain, because sender address is at domain.
There is relatively new feature, which allows you to publish IP addresses, which are allowed to send mail out using your domain name. This feature is called Sender Policy Framework (SPF). For more information about SPF click here. You specify a SPF record for your domain, and servers, which support SPF, will not accept mail from return addresses using your domain, unless they originate at IP addresses, specified in your SPF record.
Your server (Pro version) supports SPF filtering. But, you cannot use mail server to set up SPF records for your domain. It has to be done using DNS server, which hosts your domain, also, you have to familiarize yourself with SPF specifications.
But, still, it will be not a 100% guarantee, that you will stop receiving similar bounced messages: since SPF is relatively new, not all servers support it (or have enabled it), and they still may be accepting mail from servers, not authorized by you.
Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q When I am accessing the mail server console via Terminal Services Client on Windows 2000 or 2003 server, I do not see “Live Logging”. Is it possible to fix this problem?
A When you connect to your server in the default mode, Windows opens a separate session, which makes for service applications impossible to see your mail server console window, and send messages to it.
To enable “live logging”, you should connect to the Windows console session. To do it, execute the following command:
mstsc /v:computeraddress /f /console
And, “Live Logging” will work fine.
See also the this article from MSDN. Does not work with Windows 2000 Server.
Applies to Pro version
Q I keep getting Missing Data Provider or Data Packet errors. How do I fix the problem?
A These errors are caused by corrupted databases.
First, perform the maintenance (Tools – Utilities – Maintenance). If it does not help, then manually reset following 3 databases:
- Lockout Manager Database. Go to Server Protection – Lockout Manager, click View Database, and then the button with red X;
- Database of Cached Address Verification Results. Go to Anti – Spam – Address Verification, click View Database, and then the button with red X;
- Database of cached MX records. Go to Tools – Server Options – Advanced 2, click View Database, and then the button with red X;
If above methods do not help, or if attempts to reset the databases cause errors, then the databases will have to be reset manually. Follow these steps:
- Run your mail server controller application;
- Stop the server;
- Click File – Unregister Service;
- Exit from mail server controller application;
- Run Windows Explorer, and navigate to the directory, where you have installed mail server (default c:\Program Files\ArGo Software Design\Mail Server\);
- Delete all files with extension .CDS;
- Launch the mail server controller, and start the server;
This error is one of the reasons why we decided to switch to the development of the .NET version of server, which uses more advanced database engine. If you are receiving this error, you should consider upgrading.
Applies to Pro Version
Q When trying to send mail, I am getting 421 Service Unavailable. Closing Transmission channel errors. What is wrong?
A The problem is that outbox of your server is overloaded: number of messages in your outbox exceeds the number, specified at Tools – Server Options – Advanced – Max No of Outbox Messages (which, by default, is 500).
- If have not enabled SMTP authentication, then, probably, someone discovered your server, and is using it for spamming. You have to protect your server, by enabling SMTP authentication.
- If you have enabled SMTP authentication, then someone, who is authorized to use your server, did too much mailing recently, and overloaded the server.
- Something is wrong with your outgoing connection, and server outbox is getting filled up. Look at logs of your mail server. If you see some connection errors (DNS errors, timeout errors, connection refused errors, or something similar), tell us what kind of errors exactly do you see, and we will give you more information.
Applies to All Versions
Q I am a registered user of one of your products, but I lost my registration code. How do I get it again?
A Try our Registered Users Corner. You must use email address you used when registering our products, and the code will be sent to you via email. If the system does not work, or you do not remember an email address you used, send as an email from our Support Page.
Applies to All Versions
Q I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2, and the server no longer accepts connections. How do I fix this problem?
A Windows XP SP2 comes with Windows Firewall, which, by default, is enabled and blocks incoming ports, which are used by your server.
You have to either open the firewall (disable it), or specify the mail server as an “Exception”
To disable firewall, go to Control Panel, double click Windows Firewall icon, and select Off radiobutton, and click OK;
To specify the mail server, as an “Exception”, follow these steps:
- Go to Control Panel;
- Double click Windows Firewall icon;
- Select Exceptions tab;
- Click Add Program button;
- In the Add Program dialog box, click Browse;
- If you are using Pro or Plus Service version:
- Navigate to the directory, where you have installed mail server, and select the file MlsSrvNT.exe (for Pro version), or MailServerNT.exe (for Plus version);
If you are using Freeware version, or Pro or Plus version, which does not run as a service (if you see a ArGoSoft Mail Server tray icon on your system tray):
- Navigate to the directory, where you have installed mail server, and select the file MlSrv.exe (for Pro version), or MailServer.exe (for Plus and Freeware version);
- Keep clicking OK, until you are back to the Control Panel;
Applies to All Versions
Q Are your servers compatible with Windows 2003 server?
A Yes, all versions of all our servers will run fine under Windows 2003 server.
Applies to Pro version
Q What are the WhiteLists, and how to use them?
A Please check out this document.
Applies to Pro version
Q In v1.8.5.8 of Pro you have introduced Secondary SMTP Port. What is it for, and how do I use it?
A Secondary SMTP listener (it, by default, listens on port 587) is useful for travelers, or, if you want to provide SMTP service to users, who have outgoing port 25 blocked.
Some ISPs block port 25, and do not allow their users to use servers, other than their own for sending mail out. It is very unlikely, that they also block port 587, so, if your users specify that alternate port when specifying their SMTP server (your server), they still will be able to connect to your server for sending mail.
Also, it is very handy for travelers. Let’s assume you (or your users) use AOL dialup when you travel. AOL does not actually block port 25, but it hooks it, so that, no matter which server you specify, mail will go through their server, which, usually, is very slow and busy, sometimes it gets so busy, that it just does not work. Now you will no longer have similar problems, because you will be able to use port 587 of my own server to send mail out.
Situation is the similar, if you use another ISP, which has kind of “Roaming Agreement” with other ISPs. You do not know an address of SMTP server of local ISP, you cannot connect to your home ISP SMTP server, because the local ISP blocks port 25, or, you CAN connect to your home server, but it does not accept connection from you, because your IP address does not belong to them. You would be stuck. You would be able to read your mail, but there would be no way to reply. But, since your server is open for connections on a secondary port, you can just use it, and you are fine.
Note, that the server also must listen on the port 25, if it does not, other exchangers will be unable to connect to it, and deliver mail to local recipients.
Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q I upgraded from freeware version to Plus or Pro, or, I moved my Plus or Pro from Windows 98 to NT/XP/2K/2003server, and mail server tray icon disappeared. Where did it go?
A There is no tray icon, because it is no longer needed. Now your server runs as a service. It runs on the background, even when nobody is logged in, and even when controller application (application, represented as an icon on your desktop, or start menu) is not running. You do not have to run controller application all the time, it should be used only when you need to look how your server is doing, or make some changes. Service itself is a separate module, which always runs. Even more, it is better not to run the controller application, because when it is running, service module tries to communicate with it, and it increases the load. Try to keep it closed, unless you really need it.
But, if you still want to have tray icon, and do not care whether your server runs as a normal application, or as a service, you can select to install Windows 98 version, when running server installer.
Applies to All versions
Q I have downloaded one of your applications, tried to install it, but it installed a different application. What is wrong?
A The problem is that you have some another setup.exe in Windows temporary folder, which is locked. When our installer (provided by winzip) extracts it’s content, it does not overwrite that setup application, and executes it, instead of setup.exe, contained in our installer.
There are two solutions:
- Reboot your computer, and execute our installer again. Reboot will unlock locked 3rd party setup.exe, and you should not have any problems;
- Unzip our installer using winzip (it is a winzip self-extracting archive) in some temporary folder, then go to that folder, and execute setup.exe from there. After installing the application, you can safely delete temporary folder.
Applies to All versions
Q I sent you support questions multiple times, but I never got a reply. Why did you ignore my questions?
A We never ignore support questions, unless they are kind of “I downloaded mail server, what’s next?”, but the thing is that, sometimes people use return address, which does not work. It is very common: you use mail server, it breaks, you try to ask us for help, but you forget to mention an alternate email address when sending support email, and use an address, hosted by server which does not work. This situation is so common, that we decided to put this Q/A in the FAQ.
Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q I have multihomed computer, and I am trying to make ArGoSoft Mail Server and IIS co-exist on the same computer, but different IP addresses. It still does not work, I keep getting Address Already in Use errors, even though I specified IP homes in my mail server, and a different IP address in IIS. What am I doing wrong?
A You have to disable so called “socket pooling”, introduced by Microsoft in IIS 5 and 6. See this and this documents.
Applies to Pro version
Q Is it possible to translate, or change prompts on the Administration screen, accessible via the web interface?
A Yes, you can do that in Pro version, starting from v1.8.4.2. Download this zip archive. It contains xml files. If these files are placed in <MailServer>\WebTemplates\ directory, server will use data, contained in them when showing the text of /admin and /domainadmin pages. You can translate text to the different language, or make modifications.
Applies to Pro version
Q Is there any simple way of setting mailbox sizes of all users to some default value, without going through all users?
A Download this file (VBScript), place it on your desktop, and double click it, and follow instructions.
Applies to Pro version
Q I have a registered version of Pro without IMAP. When I start up my server, IMAP module does not start, and I do not have any ways to test it. What do I do?
A In order to test IMAP with Pro version, when IMAP is not registered, you have to temporarily turn your server into the unregistered version. To do it, follow these steps:
- Click Tools – Register, and write down your User Name/Registration Code combination;
- Double click the Tools – Register box somewhere, outside of buttons, and edit boxes;
- When prompted if it is OK to remove the registration, say OK;
- Stop and Start the server. IMAP will start up, and you will have an opportunity to test it. Your server will behave as unregistered version, you will have to manually restart it every 2 hours.
- After you are done with testing, click Help – Register again, enter your UserName/Registration code, and restart the server.
Applies to Pro version
Q I upgraded to 1.8.3.7 (or later), and I would like to switch back to the earlier version, because CYBERSitter SpamManager does not work with a new version. What do I do?
A Dowload the file goback.zip (224 kb), and follow instructions in readme.txt, included in the archive.
Applies to Pro version
Q What is IMAP, when it will be available, and at what cost?
A IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), described in rfc3501, allows users to access mail remotely, directly on server. It means, no matter from where users access their mail (office, home, laptop), they will always see same messages. It allows users to create and manage folders, organize messages on server, also, it may save time: users can retrieve only headers, and decide whether they want to delete specific messages, or retrieve then. For more information about IMAP see http://www.imap.org.
Currently, web interface of server will have access only to the folder called Inbox. We will be enabling a web interface access to other folders in future versions, at no cost.
Note, that other services (SMTP and POP3) will be not affected. They will work the way they were working before. IMAP and POP3, which, basically, serve the same purpose – to access the mail, will work in sync, your users will have an alternative to use either of these protocols.
Applies to All versions
Q I want to move my server on another computer, and I want to take with me all current settings, users, and emails. How do I do it?
A It depends on the version of server you are using. But remember, If you are going to keep the server on original computer, you must purchase an additional license for it.
Pro for NT/2000/XP
- Take with you \_users subdirectory, keeping it’s subdirectory structure. It will keep your users, their settings, email messages currently in their mailboxes, domains, their settings, cached aggressive address verification results;
- Export – Import the registry key HKLM\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\. It will keep most of your server settings, including validation info. IMPORTANT: if you will be installing the server in a directory, name of which differs from the original installation, modify the key Setup\Program Path;
- Take with you all files with extension *.rec in the root of mail server. It will keep your trusted, disallowed, banned IP addresses and filters;
- If you modified web templates, and mailing list server replies, take with you webtemplates, images and _maillists subdirectories;
Pro for Win98
- Take with you \_users subdirectory, keeping it’s subdirectory structure. It will keep your users, their settings, email messages currently in their mailboxes, domains, their settings, cached aggressive address verification results;
- Export – Import the registry key HKCU\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\. It will keep most of your server settings, including validation info. IMPORTANT: if you will be installing the server in a directory, name of which differs from the original installation, modify the key Setup\Program Path;
- Take with you all files with extension *.rec in the root of mail server. It will keep your trusted, disallowed, banned IP addresses and filters;
- If you modified web templates, and mailing list server replies, take with you webtemplates, images and _maillists subdirectories;
Plus for NT/2000/XP
- Take with you subdirectories, which have the same names as your users. It will keep your users, their settings, email messages currently in their mailboxes;
- Export – Import the registry key HKLM\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\. It will keep most of your server settings, including validation info. IMPORTANT: if you will be installing the server in a directory, name of which differs from the original installation, modify the key Setup\Program Path;
- Take with you all files with extension *.rec in the root of mail server. It will keep your trusted, disallowed, banned IP addresses and filters;
- If you modified web templates, take with you webtemplates and images subdirectories;
Plus for Win98
- Take with you subdirectories, which have the same names as your users. It will keep your users, their settings, email messages currently in their mailboxes;
- Export – Import the registry key HKCU\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\. It will keep most of your server settings, including validation info. IMPORTANT: if you will be installing the server in a directory, name of which differs from the original installation, modify the key Setup\Program Path;
- Take with you all files with extension *.rec in the root of mail server. It will keep your trusted, disallowed, banned IP addresses and filters;
- If you modified web templates, take with you webtemplates and images subdirectories;
Freeware
- Take with you subdirectories, which have the same names as your users. It will keep your users, their settings, email messages currently in their mailboxes;
- Export – Import the registry key HKLM\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\. It will keep most of your server settings. IMPORTANT: if you will be installing the server in a directory, name of which differs from the original installation, modify the key Setup\Program Path;
- If you modified web templates, take with you webtemplates and images subdirectories;
Applies to All versions
Q When I click Detect DNS Server button on the Options – General box, I am getting message, that detection of DNS server failed. What can I do?
A When you click Detect DNS Server, your server attempts to execute ipconfig utility, parse it’s output, and pick up a value of DNS server. It may fail, especially, if you are using non-English version of Windows.
This option is provided for your convenience, it does not do any DNS server testing, so, if it fails, there is nothing to worry about. Just click a ? button, next to DNS server box on the same dialog, and follow instructions.
Applies to All versions
Q I would like to use other than “us-ascii” character set for a web interface, but high characters are not displayed properly. How can I fix it?
A Edit pagetop.html web template. Just after <TITLE> tag insert following line (it is for Japanese charset, for others, use proper charset value):
<META http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-2022-jp">
All HTML data will be displayed properly. If you are using Pro version, and want to send non-us charset characters, then change Default Charset value, and enable Encode Headers and Names setting on the Tools – Web Interface box in your mail server. These options are not available in freeware and Plus versions.
There is no need to insert above META header, if you are using Mail Server Pro v1.8.8.3 or higher.
Applies to All versions
Q Are there any interesting undocumented features of server?
A Yes. Some of them are described here.
Applies to Pro version
Q What is the best way to set up backup mail server?
A You can use to the new feature of our server – mailbag domains. This feature was introduced in version 1.8.2.4.
Do the following: install the server on two computers. Update DNS settings of your domain(s), so that one with the lower preference (higher priority) points to your main server, second, with a higher preference (lower priority) – to your backup server. Set up your users on your main server. Then, go to your backup server, and add your domains as mailbag domains (Tools – Mailbag Domains). You do not have to create any users. When setting up mailbag domains, point their delivery servers to your main server, and make number of delivery attempts reasonably high.
All will work the following way: if your main server is up, mail will be delivered to it, and everything will be fine. If it is down by some reason, mail will be delivered to your backup server. It will get mail, place it to mailbags, and will be attempting to deliver mail back to your main server. It will be trying, until your main server is back online (of course, number of delivery attempts will depend on settings of your mailbags). So, you will not need to do any additional work for transferring mail from backup server to your main server.
Our server also supports an alternate way – mirror your main server on your backup server, and use transfer feature. This method is more time consuming, and should be used when you are running two different kinds of servers – one ours, and other – some another one. I think using mailbag domains is better.
Please remember, that you have to purchase two licenses of our server, if you are going to install it on two computers.
Applies to all versions
Q When trying to send mail to non-local addresses, I get the following error: 550 User Not Local. Authentication Required to Relay. What does it mean?
A There are following possibilities:
- You have enabled SMTP authentication in your server, but did not enable it in your email client. Check out the documentation of your email client to find out how to enable it;
- You are behind of firewall/router, which does not let through ESMTP commands. Check out this document, provided by Microsoft, to find out how to fix this problem.
Applies to all versions
Q When sending mail, sometimes I am getting the following error: “Helo command rejected: need fully-qualified hostname”, “Transaction Failed”, or “Send Hello First” errors. How can I fix this problem?
AGo to Tools – Options, select General tab, and in the Local Host box enter your domain name.
If this box is empty, server sends your computer network name with SMTP HELO/EHLO, command, and, probably, it is not liked by server you are sending mail to. If this box is not empty, then server will use the value from there with EHLO/HELO command, and you will not have similar problems.
Applies to Pro version
Q Do you have server extension code samples?
A You can download the sample source code in Delphi using this link. Sample in C/C++, which does not use MFC, is provided by Josh Patterson, and can be downloaded from here.
The document, explaining how to create server extensions using ANSI C, is provided by Mr. Joel Dare. It can be downloaded from here.
Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q I find that delivery of mail to the lists of multiple recipients is slow. Is there any way I can speed it up?
A Split your list into smaller parts. If you have only one list, server considers the message sent to it as a single message, and allocates for it one thread. If you use 2 or 3 smaller lists, and send mail to them simultaneously, server will allocate 2 or 3 threads, and will deliver mail faster. When doing that, you should remember, that when server allocates more threads, there are less threads remaining for other connections, so, if your priority is not to jam the server, and speed of delivery to the list is not an issue, it would be better to keep your list as one, mail to the list will be delivered slower, but your server will be free for other connections.
Splitting of lists will not work for freeware version, because it always uses one thread.
See also Speed of Mail Delivery for Different Versions
Applies to all versions
Q Is there any additional documentation available for mail server?
A We created a document, which is intended to give users a general understanding about email, and our server (accents are made for Pro version). This is not a manual, it is just an article which describes how email works. To access it, follow this link (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe).
Applies to all versions
Q Which software would you recommend to protect our users from viruses?
A PLEASE, do not use normal, memory resident antiviruses on the computer where you are running mail server. They do not protect your users. They try to protect you, but creating problems instead, because they are locking files and portions of memory, when they find viruses in email messages, and may crash mail server.
For Pro version, you can use one of 3rd party server extensions (plugins). Check them out here.
WebShield SMTP from McAffee is working well with all versions of our server, but is rather expensive.
Also, since it acts as a gateway between your server and the Internet (your server must be running on non-default SMTP port), you will be unable to use e.g. SMTP Authentication, to protect your server, also, if you are planning to use blocked and/or trusted IP addresses, and other security features of our server, it will not work, since our server will not see original IP addresses of connecting computers.
Applies to Pro version
Q I don’t want to allow my users changing of aliases to their accounts. How do I disable aliases box?
A Find the web template called usersettings.html, comment out text box which handles aliases, and put it a hidden input box with name aliases, and value nochange:
<input type="hidden" value="nochange" name="aliases">
Aliases box will be hidden, and update of other values will not keep aliases of the user without change.
You also can download updated template usersettings.html (zipped) from here.
Applies to all our products
Q I can’t find your phone number anywhere on your site. Do you provide phone support?
No, I cannot provide phone support. And, that’s why I keep the price of software so low. It is impossible for one man company to do development and phone support at the same time. But, I provide support via email. It is more convenient method, especially, for our software, I frequently need to look at logs of servers, and, of course, the best way of transmitting them is by email.
And, I don’t think that any of our customers can say that I did not reply to their emails, and did not use all possible ways to help them.
But, I will be not answering questions like: I just downloaded your software and installed it. What do I do now? because it does not make any sense to recite entire help file in the reply.
Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q Can I create a catch-all account for my domain?
Create an account called postmaster. If this account exists, and mail arrives to non-existing users, it will be placed there. Note, that this will not work with freeware version. In Pro version, you will have to create one postmaster account per top level (not-aliased) domain. And, it should be an account, not an alias to another account.
Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q Can I add signatures to messages transmitted via mail server?
A You can add signatures to messages transmitted via Web interface of our server. To do that, create the file named signat.txt, and place it in the root of your mail server (Directory where you have installed the server). It will be appended to each message sent via Web interface. In Pro version, If you want to customize it based on domain, place the file in the root of the domain. E.g., if you have domain domain.com, place it in _users\domain.com\ directory.
But, you cannot add signatures to all messages, sent via our server. It would involve the modification of original messages, and since their structure may be complex, they may be encrypted, or digitally signed, it may cause serious problems. Messages, sent via web interface are generated by our server, and it is safe to add signatures to them.
Applies to all versions
Q Some mail exchangers do not accept mail from my server, saying that I am an open relay. What does it mean?
A Being open relay means, that everyone can use your server to relay mail anywhere. It is a potential danger, that your server, if discovered by spammers, can be used for sending junk mail. Since certain servers are trying to protect their users from junk, they refuse to accept mail relayed from IP address.
Please note, that it is not your server what is blacklisted, it is your IP address.
Are you or are you not an Open Relay? If you did not enable security features of our server, then you are one. We would advice to enable SMTP authentication, which is the most reliable method of stopping being an open relay. Check your help file for more information about SMTP authentication.
Applies to all versions
Q I keep getting Invalid Filename errors when I try to use your automation objects in ASP, even though, everything works fine if I use VBScript, or other tool which supports COM. What is wrong?
A In some cases, ASP engine refuses to read the registry properly. Since your mail server path data is stored in registry, and it is not read properly, COM objects do not work. Check out this link for solution.
Applies to all versions
Q I set up my server on my computer, added my domain to the list of local domains, but emails sent to them never arrive to my server. Why?
A You have to make sure that DNS settings for your server are correct: either there are no MX records, or one with the highest priority (lowest preference index) points to your server computer.
To set up MX records, contact an ISP who is responsible for DNS settings for your computer. If you have registered your domain with services like register.com, or mydomain.com, then you can do it yourself.
After making changes, allow sufficient time (usually, about 24 hours) your changes to penetrate the Internet, and then, make sure that your settings are working.
You can use our Domain Info page, which has ActiveX control for checking your domain settings.
Applies to all versions
Q Are your servers compatible with Windows XP?
A Yes, they are. All versions will work with Windows XP. Windows 98 version will run as usual, but it will not run as service. If you want to use full power of Windows XP, use Windows NT/2000 version.
Applies to Pro version
Q I would like to move user mailboxes to another drive. Is it possible?
A Yes, if you are using mail server Pro version 1.7.0.3 or higher.
Follow these steps:
- Create directory where you want to keep mailboxes, e.g. d:\users\
- If you are using NT/2000/XP version, run server controller application, stop the server, and click File – Unregister service. Then, exit from controller application (File – Exit). If you are using Windows 95/98 version, stop server, and exit from it (File – Exit).
- Then, move all content of your <MailServer>\_users folder to new directory, keeping subdirectory structure.
- Run regedit, for NT/2000/XP version, go to the key HKLM\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\Setup, or, for Win95/98 version, HKCU\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server\Setup, and add new string value called Users Path, with data d:\users\ (name of your users directory).
- Run the server again. Make sure that you see your users if you click Tools – Configuration.
Applies to Pro version
Q MAPS does not seem to be working on my server. What is wrong?
Q MAPS has changed their subscription policies. If you wish to access their servers, you will have to subscribe on their service. But, good news is, according to their fees schedule, their service will be free for the most of our users. Check out following pages at MAPS web site: Subscriptions and Fee structure. When looking, keep in mind, that our server uses QUERY method to access MAPS database.
Applies to Pro version
Q Your comparison table states, that I can customize Web interface based on the domain name. How can I do it?
ALet’s assume, you want to customize templates for domain domain.com. In the directory <MailServer>\_users\domain.com create two subdirectories, called webtemplates and images, then, copy files from <MailServer>\webtemplates and <MailServer>\images to these directories. Now, you can customize web templates and images in new directories.
Note, that users will see the same welcome.html page each time they access your server, but different web templates will be served after they log in, after they submit their user name, which contains domain name, e.g., joe@domain.com.
If you want to serve different welcome pages, then you have to tell the server to pick up the domain from HTTP Host header. You can enable it by clicking Tools – Options – Web Interface, and checking Use HTTP Host Headers checkbox. In this case, server will attempt to pick up the domain name from the HTTP request, not from user name.
Applies to Pro version
Q I installed Pro version, set up the users and domains, but each time I attempt to retrieve mail, or access the server using Web interface, my password gets rejected. What am I doing wrong?
A Pro version of server has true support of local domains: you can have two users with same user name, but separate domains. Server has to tell the difference between two users with same user name, but different domains, and domain name becomes a part of user name.
It means, you should use username@domain.com format for user name, rather than just username, unless user belongs to blank domain, or to the domain which is aliased to blank domain.
You also can use username#domain.com or username$domain.com, instead of username@domain.com since some email clients (including Netscape), do not like @ symbol in user name.
If you do not like to use user names with domain names, because you think that they confuse your users, then move the domain name as an alias of blank domain.
Applies to Freeware, Plus and Pro versions
Q When I start the server, one of the services report that there was a start of starting it, because address is already in use. How do I solve this problem?
A This error indicates, that you are running some another server, or software, which uses the port designated for that service.
First, make sure that you are not running any other mail servers on your computer.
Most common applications, which cause this problem are:
For SMTP (port 25) – IIS SMTP service. Internet Information Server, comes with SMTP service. It is not installed by default, but most likely, it is in your case. Go to IIS administration, and stop it;
For POP3 (port 110) – Norton Antivirus. If you have it, disable email checking. NAV email checking acts as a “proxy” POP3 server. It hooks port 110;
For Web Interface (port 80) – any web server you are running on your computer. Change web port of our server. Go to Tools – Options, select ports tab, and change Web port from 80 to e.g. 8080. Then, you will be able to access your web interface as http://www.domain.com:8080, or, for administration, as http://www.domain.com:8080/admin.
Applies to All Versions
Q Log Out link from the Web interface of Plus/Pro version does not work. I have to shut down, and restart my browser to log in as a different user.
AThat’s the way how HTTP Authentication works. We are using the the method, which is a part of HTTP protocol. It is based on the idea, that since you launched browser, and authenticated yourself, you are you, until you close it.
As far as we know, there is no elegant solution of this problem (if it can be considered as one).
Clicking Log out link just deletes temporary files and directories on the server, which are used for processing mail attachments.
Pro version uses different method of login – HTTP POST, and this “problem” does not exist. It also allows to use standard method – HTTP Authentication.
Applies to Pro version
Q I am having problems with executing setup program for Pro version of your mail server. Can I get instructions how to manually install it?
A Try to install the server manually. Detailed instructions are provided here
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Applies to Plus and Pro versions
Q Users can set up the accounts for themselves via the Web interface. I would like to disable this feature. What do I do?
A Find the file welcome.html, which is located in Web Templates directory (by default, c:\Program Files\ArGo Software Design\Mail Server\WebTemplates), and either remove, or comment out the lines responsible for this. You will find the instructions inside of file.
You also may want to disable /addnewuser URL from Web interface. In Pro version, go to Tools – Web Interface, and uncheck Allow Creation of Accounts checkbox. In Plus version, go to Tools – Options – Advanced, and uncheck Allow Creation of Accounts checkbox.
General Question
Q I am currently using freeware version of your server. Will the server deliver messages faster if I get Plus or Pro version?
A Yes, it will. Freeware version uses only one thread for relaying messages. It means, if one of mail exchangers (remote server, to which the server relays the message) problems, other queued messages will have to wait until the server is done with that slow server. In shareware version, which uses multiple threads (you can specify up to 12 of them) the server attempts to relay messages simultaneously, to different servers. So, if there is a problem, it will block only one of the threads, other messages will be delivered using another threads.
Applies to Freeware, Plus and Pro versions
Q I installed your server. What should I specify as SMTP and POP3 servers in my client software?
A If you are using our server on the LAN, then specify the network name of server computer, as it appears in the Network Neighborhood icon. If it does not work, then go to the DOS prompt, and type ipconfig and press Enter. You will see an IP address of your computer, four dot-separated numbers. Use this IP address as your SMTP and POP3 servers in your client software.
If you are on the Internet (your server computer is connected to the Internet), then use internet IP address of your server computer, which can be obtained by using the same method as for LAN, by running ipconfig, or, its domain name. If you don’t have a domain name, or have dynamic IP address, consider using a service such as TZO – http://www.tzo.com.
Applies to Freeware and Plus versions
Q I cannot add my domain to the list of local domains. Add on the screen is grayed out.
A Just enter local domain name in the box, located above of Replace, Add, Remove buttons, and Add button will get enabled.
General
Q I downloaded updated version of your mail server. How do I install it without losing the data of users, which are already set up in the previous version?
A Check out this link for detailed instructions.
Applies to Freeware, Plus and Pro versions
Q I am trying to use the server at LAN, so I don’t need to define local domains, and I can use just user names, without domains names. But, I am having problems with my email client, which does not allow me to enter addresses without an @ sign and domain name.
A The problem is that, if you don’t enter the domain name, your email client thinks that the data entered is an nickname of the user, specified in your address book, and complains if it does not find corresponding nickname/email address in the address book.
There are two ways to solve this problem. First, try to cheat your client. Go to the address book, and add the user, e.g. john, and enter e.g. john as an email address. The address book may warn you that it is not a valid email address, and if it still should add it to the address book. Answer Yes. If this method works, you can just type john in the box for the recipient, and everything will be find. If this method does not work, then you will have to cheat the server. Make up some fake domain name (e.g. mydomain.com), and enter it as a local domain name in the Local Domains box of your server. Then send the messages to e.g. john@mydomain.com (assuming that you have the user john set up in the server). When server receives this message, it will look up the list of local domains, and when it finds that mydomain.com is the domain it has to server, will not forward the message to the Internet and deliver the message locally, to the mailbox belonging to john.
Applies to Freeware, Plus and Pro versions
Q How do I completely remove mail server?
A We are sure that after you install our server, you will not want to remove it, but still, you never know…
Described procedures include operations with registry, so use extra caution.
Freeware version, and Win95/98 versions of Mail Server Plus or Pro:
- Run mail server, if it is already running, maximize it by double clicking icon on the system tray, the stop the server (File – Stop), and exit from it (File – Exit);
- Delete entire directory, where you have installed mail server (by default, c:\Program Files\ArGo Software Design\Mail Server\
- Run regedit, and browse to the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server, and delete it, of course, if it exists;
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\, find the key called ArGoSoftMailServer and delete it.
NT/2000/XP versions of Plus and Pro:
- Run controller application from control panel, stop the server, click File – Unregister service, then – File – Exit;
- Delete entire directory, where you have installed mail server (by default, c:\Program Files\ArGo Software Design\Mail Server\
- Run regedit, and browse to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ArGoSoft\Mail Server, and delete it, if it exists;
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\, find the key called ArGoSoftMailServer and delete it, if it exists;
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControSet\Services\, find the key msServerForm, and delete it, if found;
- Make sure that control panel is closed, and delete the file msmlsrv.cpl from c:\windows\system32\ directory
- Reboot your computer.
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