First, make sure you are connected to the internet.

Check your email using webmail or telnet. If you get a login error then check your username and password.

If you can access, send and receive email then the problem is with your email software or a particular message. Make sure that your email software is set up correctly.

Some software (notably Outlook Express) can become unstable and corrupt your password or profile. Delete and recreate your email profile.

If none of this works then it may be a problem or 'outage' on your ISP's email server. Don't call their support line yet! The problem is probably already being worked-on and everbody calling them to moan about it will only slow their efforts. Be as patient as you can be - it will work when it works.

Unable to Receive Emails

Large or corrupt email on the server. Most likely there is an email that is too large or corrupt on the server. Usually when this happens you will see the email program connect to the server and start downloading files but will stop or lock up before all of the emails are downloaded or, it downloads the same message each time you check.

Also, remember the obvious and check your email and connection settings.

Unable to Send Emails

Is the Email Address correct? If your email settings are correct and you were able to send/receive email before, verify the email address of the person you are trying to email. You may want to have them send you an email and then reply to their email. If you are able to reply to that person's email, but unable to send them a new email, then the email address is entered wrong.

Is there an email sitting in your Outbox? The most common problem experienced by users is an incorrectly addressed email message sitting in your Outbox.. If one message is incorrectly addressed, the mail server will refuse to send it and all subsequent email messages may not be sent. This problem is common in Outlook software as well as some Netscape email, Internet Mail, etc. Open the first email message in your Outbox folder. Check that the email address is correct. The email should consist of a valid username at a valid domain name. There cannot be any spaces between the characters. If this does not work or you are unsure of the email address, then delete the first email in your Outbox and try sending the remaining emails. If you are still unable to send emails, delete all emails in your Outbox and reply to an email you have been sent. If you are able to reply to that email, then the email address entered in one of the messages in your Outbox was wrong.

Large E- mail Attachment. If your settings are fine and email addressed correctly, then check that the email does not have a gigantic attachment. Some ISP's, and technical restrictions, limit the size of email attachments. Sending the email without it's attachment will test this.

No Relay Error If you are connected to a different ISP than the one you are trying to send email through you will not be allowed to. Most ISPs do not allow relaying through the mail server.Your Incoming mail server recognizes you by your username and password, so you can check your email no matter what provider you are connected through. Your outgoing mail server does not, instead, it recognizes you by your IP address.. When you connect to 'ISP A' then 'ISP B' SMTP server will not recognize you. You will need to use the SMTP Outgoing Mail server of the ISP you are connected with..

Disconnected from the Internet while checking email

This usually occurs as a result of your settings.
If your modem hangs up while downloading a file or receiving email, see disconnect setting for Internet Explorer. This will allow you to change "Disconnect if idle" settings and will resolve the problem. This usually occurs as a result of your email option settings.
If your modem hangs up after sending and receiving email, see change disconnect setting for Outlook Express or whatever software you are using. This will allow you to change "Disconnect after sending and receiving" settings and will resolve the problem.
If you are not sure when your modem in disconnecting, check both your Internet and email settings to make sure the problem is resolved.

Error: Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible causes for this include server problems, network problems, or a long period of inactivity...

The easiest thing to try is to just disconnect, restart the computer, reconnect and try to get email again (Make sure you are connected - try browsing).

If restarting doesn't work, recreate the email profile in your email client software (Outlook etc).

You may have a server side problem in your mailbox, including a large email or corrupted message. If you have webmail access to your server, or telnet, then log in and check what messages are there. Delete any suspect or large messages.

People say I am sending them a virus, but I have not sent them an email

A worm virus can send infected emails without your knowledge. You do not have to create and send, or even forward, an email with a virus attached for other people to receive the virus from you. Certain viruses called worms, when executed automatically sends email with the virus attached to all addresses listed in the infected user's address book.
Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express are the most targetted by virus creators as they are commonly used on most computers.

How do I check my email from another computer

You can check your email using webmail or telnet.