How can I access all of my emails on multiple computers

[Jerry McColgan]

I use several different computers (both desktops and laptops). I am the only
user and no one else has access to them so security is not a problem. They
are networked to the Internet but not as yet networked to each other.

I would like to be able to access and send all of my emails and hopefully my
other Outlook information (such as Contacts) with and from all of the
computers.

Is this possible and if so, how would I do it?

I am on Centurytel.net DSL service.

Thanks,

 

[CorpTechGuy]

Well if you are using a private service provider for the email accounts then
they should have a webmail application you can access from the internet.
Using this you would be able to send and see your emails from any machine.
The problem with using Outlook on each machine is that once you send/receive
you are pulling your messages off of the mail server down to that particular
machine, whereas using a webmail application most times you are looking at
mail that is on the server and will be there no matter what computer you use
(as long as you don't delete it of course). Many service providers offer
this so I'd check with their technical support department and find out about
this and any other options they might suggest. Cheers

 

[Brian Tillman]

I use several different computers (both desktops and laptops). I am
the only user and no one else has access to them so security is not a
problem. They are networked to the Internet but not as yet networked
to each other.

I would like to be able to access and send all of my emails and
hopefully my other Outlook information (such as Contacts) with and
from all of the computers.

That won't be possible until/unless you network them together.

 

[Jerry McColgan]

That was my first attempt. Unfortunately, Centurytel.net email leaves a LOT
to be desired which was what prompted me to switch to Outlook.

As you mentioned, using Outlook pulls the messages off the server (even
though it is not supposed to do so) so other computer's Outlook cannot
download them. This causes me to have to depend on a single computer for all
my emails - aside from occasional checks on the Centurytel mail.

Naturally Centurytel.net customer support does not support MS Outlook so
they are of no help in synchronizing my emails.

I was hoping there was a way to download to Outlook without removing the
messages from Centurytel.net.

Part of the problem is that I lose the messages history in that messages
sent from other PCs do not show up on the primary PC Sent folder.

Thanks anyway

 

[Jerry McColgan]

The difficulty with networking is three fold.

1. I have never actually networked computers before so even though I have 7
computers networked to the net, they are not networked effectively to each
other.

2. Even if I succeed in networking them together I will still have the
problem if and when a laptop is used away from the network.

3. Whenever I have networked PCs together (or even Laplinked them) I have
ended up with having to log in to Windows after every reboot before I can use
the computer. This can be a real pain to have to live with. Since I am the
sole user this seems a very unnecessary, useless and aggravating step.

Thanks

 

[Jack Folliard]

just jumping in here - I'm no expert but here's what I do with home desktop
and laptop networked, and a smart-phone. I can d/l emails on all 3 devices
by simply configuring Outlook 2003 not to delete messages from the server
(Comcast) unless older than 5 days. I'm able to d/l the same message on
each device regardless if it has already been d/led on one of the other
devices. I know this leads to seeing the same message 3 times but it works
for me.

Maybe this isn't the solution you're looking for?

Jack

 

[Jerry McColgan]

That was what I had tried to do but it did not seem to work. Now I cannot
remember how I had set that up (to set the new computers up the same way).

One problem I seem to recall is that the server did not keep copies of the
Sent eMails so they were only left on the computer that was used to send
them. I think Outlook only imports new emails and does not import emails I
sent from other computers. Am I right?

What is the proper way to prevent Outlook from deleting messages on the
server?

Thanks

 

[Brian Tillman]

As you mentioned, using Outlook pulls the messages off the server
(even though it is not supposed to do so) so other computer's Outlook
cannot download them.

Have you enabled the option to leave the messages on the server? For OL
2002/2003, click Tools>E-mail Accounts>Next. Select your account and click
Change, then More Settings. Click the Advanced tab and put a check in
"Leave a copy of messages on the server".

 

[Brian Tillman]

One problem I seem to recall is that the server did not keep copies
of the Sent eMails so they were only left on the computer that was
used to send them. I think Outlook only imports new emails and does
not import emails I sent from other computers. Am I right?

Outlook has nothing to do with it. No POP client keeps sent messages on the
SMTP server (the server that receives messages from the client). POP has no
concept of "folders". There's exactly one message store, and that's for
incoming messages.

What is the proper way to prevent Outlook from deleting messages on
the server?

See my prior post.

 

[Jerry McColgan]

Thanks for the help. I think I am gradually making progress.

I now have all my computers networked both to each other and to the net.

I understand that sent messages will only be kept on the computer that sent
them.

Is there any way to add (import/export) sent messages from one computer to
the other computers so that I can have a complete email history on at least
one computer?

Jerry

 

[Jerry McColgan]

Thank you for the help previously provided.

I now have my computers networked to each other as well as to the internet.

I understand that I can only save my sent emails on the computer they were
sent from but is there any way that I can add (import/export) messages sent
from other computers to the email history of the primary computer so that I
have a complete email history on at least one computer?

Thanks,

Jerry