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Error Code 503

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#1 by hornet3

In outlook, when trying to send e.mails, I am suddenly getting an error message :
'The server responded Error 503 Valid RCPT command must precede DATA'.


I have not changed any settings, I can receive e.mail and I can access the Web.

What should I do please.

Posted on Friday, 18th January 2008 at 10:56am

#2 by admin

hi, it means that you are not authenticating with the server, prior to sending your message.

You need to configure your email client to authenticate automatically by checking the "my server requires authentication" box in your email configuration.

If that do not fix the error, try sending mail through webmail that will verify if there is problem with outlook on your PC or with the server.

Posted on Friday, 18th January 2008 at 11:41am

#3 by hornet3

Thanks, the authentication box is checked and I still get the same error mesage. I can send mail via the webmail.

Posted on Sunday, 20th January 2008 at 1:55pm

#4 by admin

If you can send email through the webmail it proves that server side is ok, you need to check the outlook settings some time error 503 generate if the out going message is scanned by antivirus software. Try disabling the outgoing message scan.

Posted on Monday, 21st January 2008 at 12:00pm

#5 by hornet3

Thanks again. Before I disabled the virus scan, I tried again and now get the error message

550 relay not permitted

I then disabled the security suite and got the same result

Posted on Tuesday, 22nd January 2008 at 10:17pm

#6 by admin

It indicates that you are not authenticating to your SMTP server. please follow the instruction step by step.

In order to enable SMTP authentication, please follow these steps within your email client:

Using Outlook (XP & 2003) -

Click 'Tools' from the email client menu
Select 'Email accounts'
From the pop-up, select 'View or change existing account'
Click 'Next' (provided the account does indeed exist on your local PC)
Select applicable email account and click 'Change'
Click the 'More Settings' button
Select the 'Outgoing server' tab
Ensure that the first option, 'My outgoing server requires authentication' and the second option 'Use same settings as my incoming mail server' is checked on
Select the 'Advanced' tab
Click 'OK' to save these settings
Click 'Next' and 'Finish'

Using Outlook Express (4 - 6) -

Click 'Tools' from the email client menu
Select 'Accounts'
From the pop-up, select the 'Mail' tab
Click 'Properties'.
Select the 'Servers' tab
Ensure that the checkbox for 'My server requires authentication' is checked on
Click the 'Settings' button next to 'My server requires authentication'
Ensure that the first option, 'Use same settings as outgoing server', is selected
Select the 'Advanced' tab
Click 'OK' to save these settings
Click 'OK' and 'Close'

Posted on Wednesday, 23rd January 2008 at 2:25pm

#7 by hornet3

That did it!! Thank you

Posted on Thursday, 24th January 2008 at 1:40pm

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