Outgoing Email, Roadrunner and the iPhone

I have had this question twice now over the last month, so I decided to take the time to write it up in case anyone else might need it.

The Problem

While you can easily set up your Roadrunner.com email address in your iPhone, sending email is more problematical. You can send email if you are connected via WiFi, but sending mail when using the cellular data network fails. It seems your iPhone cannot connect to the outgoing email server.

The Solution

When researching this problem for the first client to ask, I came across this tech note from Apple.com

iPhone: What to do if you can't send or receive Mail

This tech note gives you the steps necessary to select an outgoing email server provided by AT&T specifically for iPhone users. This outgoing mail server should work regardless of your connection to the Internet.

Real World Example: A 'Paper Mismatch' or 'Paper too Narrow' Error Occurs While Receiving a Fax

Here is another Real World Example, this time from my own office printer.

After changing the print cartridge in my HP OfficeJet 6110xi All-in-One, the printer wanted to print its alignment page. This is to insure that all the print heads line up and produce a crsip image.

Instead, though, it started giving me an error that the paper loaded was not "plain paper". Well, said I, of course it is, I am looking right at it. After re-trying the print several times I went to HP.com to check on the support information for this printer.

Working through their troubleshooting checklist, I came up with this tech note. While it didn't directly address my problem, it did let me know that the error can be caused by a damaged or blocked sensor on the printer.

After a bit of poking around, using the diagram as a guide, the printer finally recognized the paper type correctly and I was able to print the document that started the entire process.

Lesson: When checking online support databases, don't ignore problem descriptions that are close to the one you are experiencing. You might just find a solution.

HP Officejet 6100 and PSC 2200 Series All-in-Ones - A 'Paper Mismatch' or 'Paper too Narrow' Error Occurs While Receiving a Fax

HP Officejet 6100 and PSC 2200 Series All-in-Ones - A 'Paper Mismatch' or 'Paper too Narrow' Error Occurs While Receiving a Fax

** Previously on Real World Example

Technorati Tags:
DIY, howto, how-to, technology, printer, realworldexample, troubleshooting, support

Correcting a Microsoft Defender Error

by Douglas E. Welch, techiq@welchwrite.com
Reader/Listener Line @ 206-338-5832

If you are seeing an error message like this when you start your computer, don't panic. Both the cause and solution are simple.

"Windows Defender

Application failed to initialize: 0x800106ba. A problem has caused Windows Defender Service to stop. To start the service, restart your computer or search Help and Support on how to start a service manually."

It seems that an earlier, Beta, version of Microsoft Defender expired on December 31, 2006. Anyone who had that version installed will receive this message when they start up their computer. Of course, one would think that Microsoft could have found a more graceful way of telling people this in a user-friendly manner, instead of dumping a standard, and might i say, useless, error message like this.

Oh well, the answer to the problem is to simply download and install the latest version of Microsoft Defender.

Microsoft Defender Download Page
Let us hope the Microsoft develops a better way of informing us about software expiration in the future.

Technorati Tags: technology, windows, spyware, microsoft, computers, high-tech

Lexmark Printers are Mac Hostile

by Douglas E. Welch, techiq@welchwrite.com
Reader/Listener Line @ 206-338-5832

Despite the gains that Apple has made in the computer market lately, their are some companies that just don't "get it". On occasion, I still run into web sites, software and services that require some specific Windows-only feature that could easily be replaced with something much more compatible for all computer systems.

My most recent run in with a Macintosh hostile company happened this week. A client called on me to complete the installation of a new printer which they couldn't make work with their iMac G5. This is understandable, as sometimes the installation, process of the printer software can be confusing. I wasn't really thinking about compatibility issues when I arrived, but concern grew once I saw the printer. It was a Lexmark product. I have had trouble with them before. They tend to be given away for free with PC purchases and all of the Lexmark products I have seen feel "cheap" for lack of a better word. I also knew, from past experience, that Lexmark produces entire product lines which only work with Microsoft Windows. Most printers manufactured by Hewlett-Packard and Epson embraced Mac-compatibility years ago, but Lexmark continues to drag its feet in this regard.

Sure enough, right on the box it listed only Windows as the supported systems. It probably would have been better if it would have said, "Don't by this printer to use with a Mac 'cause it doesn't" work. At least the customer would have been more aware when they purchased it. I made a last ditch effort for the client's sake and visited the Lexmark web site, hoping beyond hope that there might be some Macintosh printer drivers available there. There the only thing I found was a clear message, "This printer does not work with Mac OS X." See, they COULD have put it on the box, they put it on the web site.

So, Mac users, be aware that there are still some companies out there that see you as a second class citizen and, worse still, don't want you hard earned cash. Make sure that any device you buy explicitly states its Macintosh compatibility. Otherwise, you might just find yourself standing in the "return" line...again.