[Resolved] Very basic mail() question regarding SMTP

kcgame

Hi,

I'm would like to test out my mail() script currently but stuck on the configuration part in php.ini... i don't know how to set up or link to SMTP sever 😕

Is there any testing or free SMTP server that i can use to test out my script? I am using Windows XP, php ver 4.

I understand that i only have to change the 'SMTP' and 'sendmail_from' fields...but how do i get a SMTP?🙁 Do you need a server in order to do it?

Thanks for the efforts for teaching me the basics🙂

drew010

Your ISP should provide you with some SMTP servers. If you are running PHP from your home computer, you can try this>

Open a command prompt: (Start->Run->cmd)
Type: nslookup
Type: set type=mx
Type: your_isp_domain.com

Then you should some lines looking like
yourisp.com MX preference = 0, mail exchanger = SMTP_SERVER.com

SMTP_SERVER.com will be a server you should be able to relay through from your home computer.

halojoy

Originally posted by kcgame
I am using Windows XP, php ver 4.

I understand that I only have to change the 'SMTP' and 'sendmail_from'
fields...
but how do I get my SMTP?

When you pay for a connection with some Internet Provider,
you get your account setup info.
In this letter or email, they usually tell what is SMTP server you should use.
And if they have a little bad information (not too uncommon)
you can contact your provider for this info.
You also can get what POP-server as well as SMTP-server you should use.

But as drew010 told us,
there are other ways, to dig this information out.
Certainly it is stored in your Windows XP, somewhere.

kcgame

Thanks guys😃

I managed to sort out the old letters from my ISP provider and it states:
SMTP Server (Outgoing): mail.singnet.com.sg

So can i assume that mail.singnet.com.sg is the one to input to the php.ini?

I'll now give it a try and update here again🙂

kcgame

Sorry to bother you guys again...i get the following error🙁

Warning: mail() [function.mail]: Failed to connect to mailserver at "localhost" port 25, verify your "SMTP" and "smtp_port" setting in php.ini or use ini_set() in C:\xampp\htdocs\xampp\prog_web\TMP1xll3ip2mw.php on line 21

I already set the following in the directory:
C:\xampp\apache\bin\php.ini

SMTP = mail.singnet.com.sg
sendmail_from = (This one also set to the email by this ISP)

Can someone give me some advice to troubleshoot from here?
Thank you.

drew010

make sure that php.ini file in C:\xampp\apache\bin\ is actually the one php is using because it appears to not be using the smtp server as specified in that file, its trying to use 'localhost' as the mailserver.

halojoy

<?php

phpinfo();

?>

Make this a page phpinfo.php and run it in your webspace.
Search in this information you get, for 'php.ini'
This will tell you what is name of php.ini file that is in use

I am refereing to drew010 latest reply, about php.ini

kcgame

Thanks everyone😃

It finally works.

Below is an update of what i did:

the phpinfo() shows:
Configuration File (php.ini) Path C:\xampp\apache\bin\php.ini

which is the file that i configured..then i tried running the mail() script again...and the mail actually reaches the targeted inbox

ok, i think my problem in the first place is, i didn't restart my system after configurating the php.ini..then i shut down my computer and take a break (which is a right decision to make🙂 )
After i restart the computer, read your posts and give it a try..it works :p

Thanks for the help again, guys

halojoy

Yes, that's right!

After any change in php.ini configuration,
we have to restart Apache or Other WebServer
in order to use new settings.

Drakla

Originally posted by halojoy
Yes, that's right!

After any change in php.ini configuration,
we have to restart Apache or Other WebServer
in order to use new settings.

Not if you're using the CGI version of php, then you can edit away all you like, great for development.

halojoy

I knew you would find some rare exception.
To comment on.
Dracula always wants to suck blood.
I do not run CGI scripts.
I run php scripts.
😉