Computer Help! Attention all Freeper Geeks!

self | 3/20/2004 | NeverGore

[nevergore]

Help all computer literate Freepers...

Recently my e-mail program, (Outlook Express), has changed it's Incoming POP3 Server from the normal "myname@mindspring.com" to "127.0.0.1" without my input. I manually change it back but each time I reboot the machine, the POP3 server reverts to the "127.0.0.1".

I suspected some type of spyware so I ran both Spybot and McAfee Internet Suite (both are current). Nothing turns up.

The computer is a Toshiba notebook with a Pentium 4 and Windows XP Home Version (also current).

Like everyone else, I am being constantly bombarded by e-mails touting "read other peoples e-mail with our program" Could this be a variation of that on my system? How do I fix this problem? Please none of the.... Get a Apple or Linux....

Help!

NeverGore :^)

[martin_fierro]

FREE PC PROTECTION: (Not an exhaustive list. Your results may vary. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. No wagering, please. Whattayawantfernuthin'.) (Thanks, but "Buy a Mac" doesn't qualify as "FREE PC protection")

Alternative browsers: Mozilla Opera AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: Free anti-viral protection Popup ad killers: Bayden Systems Popup Popper: Blocks popup ads well in MSIE Shoot the Messenger: Close that friggin' Messenger in Windows XP Spyware removers: Spybot S&D AdAware MailWasher: Good for pre-screening & bouncing SPAM Windows Update: At least install the critical ones ZoneAlarm: Excellent Firewall Test your firewall from without with ShieldsUP! Test your firewall from within with LeakTest LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Explore Linux as an alternative OS, without installing it on your hard drive, via a free bootable CD-ROM! Download Knoppix (or one of these other Linux distributions), burn the ISO file onto a CD-ROM, and reboot with the CD-ROM in its drive.

[sigSEGV]

myname@mindspring.com is not a valid pop server name. You'll need the server name -- something like pop.mindspring.com.

[nevergore]

Oops...my bad....the server is "pop.mindspring.com"

[Incorrigible]

Are you sure you're logged in?  (Had to be asked!)

127.0.0.1 is the address of your own computer.

Did you modify your "hosts" file when the DNS for FreeRepublic.com was messed up?

You may have made one too many modifications.

[PureSolace]

Step One: NEVER EVER USE "Outlook Express"... EVER!

Step Two: USe some other program that does the same thing without the sillyness Outlook Express brings along (ie. letting it's gut's hang out)

If ya can... Find a nice web based email and just use that. :) Cyaz.

[CIB-173RDABN]

For the record, 127.0.0.1 is a internal IP address for your own network (if you had one). It is the same for everyone.

[nevergore]

Yes, I'm always logged in (DSL)....

BTW, the POP3 server changes on all my e-mail accounts, I have three....

Thanks!
NeverGore

[Hodar]

Are you using Norton Anti-virus? If so, the IP address you gave, may correspond to 'localhost', thus Norton is intercepting your email, scanning for virus's, then passing your email through the localhost IP connection.

There is nothing inherently wrong with Outlook Express.

[FourtySeven]

Mark to read later....always learn from these tech threads.

[eXe]

Correct, thad is the local loopback address for your own machine. My guess is its some kind of virus using a "server" set at your local machines address to spam.

I could be wrong, but that is kind of strange for it to keep setting itself back, so that is why I am thinking virus.

Again, with all the free email programs out there using outlook is not a good idea.

[SC_Republican]

if you are using the POP3 scan feature of your Antivirus software, this may cause your POP server to change to 127.0.0.1. The antivirus software will "intercept" email coming in to your computer, scan and clean it, and make it available to Outlook via 127.0.0.1.

Not sure if this is what you're seeing, but its one option.

[Shryke]

Check your PoP3 name with your ISP again. I don't think it's resolving (and thus you are getting an internal IP address). ISP's can change them from time to time.

[nevergore]

I do have a wireless network at the house that this machine is attached to.....why would Outlook Express change to that as the POP3 server without my input?

Thanks!
NeverGore

[eXe]

oops, ment to post that to nevergore.. Oh well :)

[NativeNewYorker]

go to mozilla.org and download/use Thunderbird for a mail client.

[dansangel]

If ya can... Find a nice web based email and just use that. :) Cyaz.

Agreed. I am a Mindspring user and haven't opened up Outlook Express in months. Mindspring has a great webmail program. Just go to http://www.springmail.com and log in.

Going there to retrieve your email allows you to regulate spam efficiently (I have mine set on "high" - it's a pain in the beginning until you allow everyone in that you want to, but well worth it).

Good Luck!

[IYAS9YAS]

Will be going with Mozilla when I get my own PC online. What do you use for e-mail when using alternate browsers? For example, my parents use the all-in-one MSN. I'd like to get Mozilla, but am unfamiliar with e-mail alternative options.

[RandallFlagg]

When all else fails....

Sorry. Not very useful, but I just thought...

Nevermind.

[ellery]

The same thing happened to me. It turned out that my Norton AntiVirus was trying unsuccessfully to route my emails to its site first to scan for viruses. I disabled the email scanning function, and the problem stopped (caveat: that may mean I'm more vulnerable...but at least I can use my email).