Q: Why does my browser work but not my e-mail program?

A: Internet software looks like one program, but it is really several different programs working together. The main programs you use include (1) a dialer; (2) a browser, and (3) an e-mail program. You have to tell your e-mail program where to find your internet "mailboxes." If your browser works, but your e-mail program does not, you probably need to check the incoming and outgoing e-mail server settings for your software. Consult the documentation from your Internet provider.

Outlook Express 4.0 and newer

1. Open  Outlook Express.

2. Click on the "tools" menu located on the top, then find and click on "accounts".

3. You will now be inside the Internet Accounts window. Click on the "mail" tab on the top.

4. You should see your account listed in this window. (Is it empty?) Double-click the name of your account.

5. Click on the Servers tab.

6. Set both the incoming and outgoing servers. (Not sure what they are?)

Q: I have Outlook Express configured correctly, but it is not working.

A: Your browser program may be configured to use a different e-mail program. This often happens if you have Microsoft Outlook installed. It will configure itself as your default mail program. Here’s how you can specify Outlook Express as your default mail program instead:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Click on the tools menu and select Internet Options.

2. Click on the Programs tab.

3. Behind "E-mail:" you will see the program that Explorer will use when processing e-mail.

4. Click on the down arrow and you will see a list of programs that Internet Explorer can use for your e-mail. If you want to switch to Outlook Express, choose that program.

5. Click on the Apply button to save the change, then the Ok button.

Q: I can no longer see any of my messages in the folders in Outlook Express.

A: You may have inadvertently changed the view properties to view only unread messages.

1. Open Outlook Express.

2. From the View menu, select "layout".

3. Put a check in the "folder list".

4. Click apply to save the change, then click ok.

Q: How do I set up a new Outlook Express mail account?

A: If you use Outlook Express and can log onto the Internet, but have difficulty sending and receiving mail, you may with to check your configuration settings of Outlook Express.

1. Open Outlook Express.

2. If the "Connect To" window appears, click the Cancel button or Work Off-Line button. This will load "Outlook" but not connect.

3. Click on the "Tools" menu, then click on "Accounts."

4. Click on the "Mail" tab, then click on the Add button to add a new account.

5. Click on "Mail" as the type of account.

6. Type in a name for the account. Most people use their real name.

7. Enter in your e-mail address. It will look like joesmith@cmit.net.

8. Click on the Next button.

9. Enter the name for the "incoming mail (POP3)" server. Consult the documentation from your Internet provider.

10. Enter the name for the "outgoing (SMTP)" server. Consult the documentation from your Internet provider.

11. Type in your pop account name, which is the same as your log-on Internet user name.

12. Type in your password, which is the same as your Internet password.

13. Click the Next button.

14. Give your account a "Friendly Name". This can be anything you want. Then click the Next button.

15. Make sure the "Connect using my phone line" circle is checked, then click the Next button.

16. Make sure the "Use an existing dial-up connection" is checked. Select the name of the connection that belongs to your local Internet provider, then click the Next button.

17. Click on the Finish button.

18. Your new account should be set up. Now click on the button to the right which is labeled Set as Default.

19. Click on the Close button.