Thunderbird Mail Client :
Set Up – Step by Step

Open the Thunderbird program. Click on the "Tools" button and a drop down menu appears.(Fig. 1)

Figure 1

Select "Account Settings" to open the "Account Setting" dialog box. Once the "Account Settings" dialog box appears click on the "Add Account" button, located in the lower left corner. (Fig. 2)

Figure 2

Select "E-mail Account" and click the "Next" button. (Fig. 3)

Figure 3

When prompted, enter your name as you would normally write it, such as (John Smith), and enter your E-mail address
(all lower case letters) with @plainsnet.net at the end, such as johnsmith@plainsnet.net and click the "Next" button. (Fig. 4)

Figure 4

Ensure that the type of Incoming Mail Server is "POP3", and the name of the incoming server to type in is, "mail.plainsnet.net", and click the "Next" button. **If prompted for the out going mail server's name type "mail.plainsnet.net". (Fig. 4)

Figure 4

Incoming user name should be: your complete e-mail address, like "johnsmith@plainsnet.net".

Figure 5

The account name is arbitrary, and may be called whatever the user would like: personal e-mail, work e-mail, home e-mail, joe@plainsnet.net, etc...  This is what is displayed in the folders list of Thunderbird.  On the next screen click "finish" and your e-mail client is ready to test.

Troubleshooting Thunderbird E-Mail Set-up

Open Thunderbird normally. Then click the "Tools" drop down and select "Account Settings". (Fig. 1)

Figure 1

Select the account name for the account that you are troubleshooting.

Figure 2  

Ensure that the E-mail address that is entered is correct and all lower case (caps lock= "off") and ending in @plainsnet.net (Fig.2).

Figure 3

Then select "Server Settings" from the left, verify that "Server Name" is mail.plainsnet.net and that user name is correct @plainsnet.net. (Fig 3)

Figure 3

The last item to check is the "Outgoing Server (SMTP)", in this area verify that server name is mail.plainsnet.net, select "use name and password" and make sure that your user name is correct @plainsnet.net. Also, "Use Secure Connection" should equal "No". (Fig 4)

Figure 4

If your Thunderbird Mail Client still does not work correctly, delete the account and add it again following the "Thunderbird Mail Client : Set Up – Step by Step" by going to the "Tools" drop down menu and selecting "Accounts".

  Outlook Express Mail Client : Set Up – Step by Step

Open outlook express normally, then click the "Tools" drop down and select "Accounts". Click "Add" and highlight "mail". (Fig 1)

Outlook Express Mail Client : Set Up – Step by Step

Open outlook express normally, then click the "Tools" drop down and select "Accounts". Click "Add" and highlight "mail". (Fig 1)

Figure 1

The set-up wizard will help you set-up your mail account.  Type in your name and then click "Next", then type in your E-mail address with "@plainsnet.net", and click next. then type in your E-mail address with "@plainsnet.net", and click next.

At this point, you are asked to point the Outlook Express at the mail server. The type of mail server should be "POP3" and the name of the incoming and outgoing mail server is "mail.plainsnet.net". (Fig 2) Click Next.

You are then asked to type in your account name, this should be your e-mail address @plainsnet.net. You also need to type in your password, and click "remember password". Do Not select "Log On Using Secure Password Authentication.

Then click "Next" and "Finish". Your Outlook Express mail client is ready to test.

Figure 2


Troubleshooting Outlook Express Mail Client Set-up
Open Outlook Express normally, then click on the "Tools" drop down, and select "Accounts".

Then click the "Mail" tab highlight the account you would like to troubleshoot, and click the "Properties" button on the right.

Under the "General" tab, verify that "E-Mail Address" is equal to your e-mail address @plainsnet.net.

Under the "Servers" tab, verify that incoming server is a "POP3" mail server. Incoming Mail(POP3) should be "mail.plainsnet.net" and the Outgoing Mail(SMTP) should also be "mail.plainsnet.net". Your "Account Name" should be your E-Mail address @plainsnet.net and your password should be your regular password, click "remember my password" if you prefer not to type in your password every time you check your mail. "Log on using Secure Password Authentication" should be Unchecked and "My server requires authentication should also be Unchecked.

That's it, if your Outlook Express account still is not working remove the mail account and set it up again using the instructions in Outlook Express Mail Client : Set Up – Step by Step.

MS Outlook instructions:

Open ms outlook normally.  Then click the "tools" drop down and select "E-mail Accounts".  Select "view or change existing accounts"  click on "change", click "more settings".  At this point click on the "outgoing server" tab.  Look for the check box labeled "My outgoing server(SMTP) requires Authentication" UNCHECK this check box and click "OK".