You'll need to obtain the correct server settings as required for Century Link. Then choose 'Manual Configuration'. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/manual-account-configuration

As noted above, the IT tech at Century Link and I went over a myriad of manual configurations of no less than 20 +. On your link provided, I carefully went over that before calling their department; at this point they and I are at a dead end. Image provided should be helpful.

What are the correct server settings as per Century Link information?

First, thank you christ1 for your valuable time. That was a good question and it took me a little time to put this together.

To start if we could lay some groundwork here: you are approaching this from a Beginner user. I believe we are both beyond that and if you read my initial inquiry, you see I go way back to Windows 3.1 [25 years ago], Outlook Express [in relation to Thunderbird], etc. I feel if we work from an Advance Level, this will go quicker.

As I said before, the tech at Century Link and I went over their initial Default template and continued to build on a myriad of different combinations.

Fundamentally I believe there is a software issue in the Thunderbird VERSION[?] they have OR on their end with compatibility issues they have allowing their servers to have Thunderbird access it.

IMPORTANT: If you can go to this link below, you will see THUNDERBIRD and under it THUNDERBIRD 17. This is perhaps where the compatibility issue lays; that is, it appears their last update is Thunderbird version 17? [I just noticed it today]. http://internethelp.centurylink.com/internethelp/email-setup-in-thunderbird17-1.html

You will see in the image attached in answering your question, “What are the correct server settings as per Century Link information?” your version 45.2.0 top image does not quite match up with the below second image sent today.

Last, the above is the key to this issue I believe [version of Thunderbird]. However, this would be a good second solution?

If you have access to information of others that use Thunderbird and have Century Link as their ISP and at least several of them point to one consistent setting for the most recent Thunderbird version, I can try that; if it works, I will get Century Link to make corrections on their end.

Even Centurylinks own email setup page shows TLS if available. Why would that later show the security setting as blank? Providers setup their own servers. If anyone would know the correct server settings it should be the provider and their HELPLESS desk. If that try 20+ server settings it shows how little they know about what they are talking about.

Outgoing

smtp.centurylink.net

Port 587 TLS if available

What if you try port 465 with SSL/TLS?

No wonder Centurylink was not even good enough to be part of Sprint and they spun it off. Complete idiots.

Here is what they say for the setup for Outlook 2010.

   1. Enter 587 for the "Outgoing Server (SMTP)"

   2. Select TLS for "Use the following type of encryption connection"
   3. Check the box next to "Leave a copy of messages on the server"
   4. Select "OK"

Their server either uses connection security or it does not. It is not dependent on what email client you are using.

Hello Airmail! Point[s] on target!

Tried your 587/465 with combos, no go. However, I tired Mrs. account since I kept seeing the "User name or password invalid" remarks, but a no go there too. Based on experience, I was 100% sure that would not matter and was correct.

BTW: The other day I signed in first at the Century Link email site and no issues for me and today for the Mrs., so both email addresses and passwords not an issue.

And if you think Century Link is bad, try Cox; lesser of two evils as the adage goes.

Hanging in the wind here.

Thunderbird acount setup wizard gets settings in two ways. 1. It looks up the online database. https://autoconfig.thunderbird.net/v1.1/ if the provider is not listed then it goes to approach 2.

2. Attempts to connect to common server names and ports based on the email address that is entered. So if I were to set up an email matt@frog.com it would try mail.frog.com, POP.frog.com, imap.frog.com and so on Starting with the highest security and working down to the lowest.

It is with this letter part that anti virus programs can play havoc. They think that the program is getting mail, try to scan it and mess up everything for everyone in the process.

This can also translate to the retest phase where a manual setup is done. Basically this is the only option available to you as your email address and server names are not even vaguely related.

So we have two options.

1. Disable your anti virus email scanner while you set up your account and see how that works for you.

2. Use safe mode with networking in windows 10. As described here then setup your account in Thunderbird.

If neither of those things work, it is possible (but not all that probable) that the cypher s used by your provider for TLS are the problem, but I would rather only cross that bridge if we have to.

Hello Mark

I apologize for not responding sooner, but I knew I was in trouble with the second of your two options. The first was a snap; with MSFT Windows Defender and Firewall, I have never seen an issue with from day one [Vista forward]. It was the Norton and Mc Afees that caused me many problems; kudos for MSFT for doing that one right for us and gratis too.

However, the second one I knew I was in trouble, because eight months ago, I tried accessing it through two different computers I have [both with Windows 10] and hit a dead end. I let it go, as there was no need until now with your suggestion. Then it got nasty as it usually does with me and MSFT Helplessness Support. That Option 2 now added a new layer to the first original one of Thunderbird.

Long story short, here is the link if you care to see what I went through [last comment under Allen12, which is me]: http://tinyurl.com/zd24lpx

A day or so later, I found a workaround patch to this F5 access on this link if you care to see: http://tinyurl.com/jlewl62

I have had better results with third party sites almost all of the time than the “Microsoft Support Engineers.”

BOTTOM LINE: Neither options did the trick and TYVM Mark!

Hanging in the wind again……Allen

Long story short, here is the link if you care to see what I went through

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to say here. If you're having difficulties to get Windows booting into safe mode - Google is your friend.