Howto: Enable SMTP for vB 3.0.2/3

[Zachery]

I am putting this in here once it has been confirmed working ill ask it to be moved.

I offer no support, enabling SMTP will be considered hacking, thus why it is here.

Thanks to Chris on the vB team for the help :0

[HuangA]

I clicked "Send" in diagnostics after typing in my email address; the script have been executing for about a minute now and still no response. The IE logo is turning though; so it is definetly doing something...


Edit:
It gave me this:
SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: None
sendmail_path: /usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i


Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home2/gogmia/public_html/forums/includes/mail.php on line 216


Line 214 to 217
214. if (!$this->sendMessage("RCPT TO:<" . trim($address) . ">", 250))
215. {
216. return errorMessage("Unexpected response from SMTP server");
217. }

I'm guessing I still need to contact my host; thanks anyways for the great effort put in! This post is safe to be deleted.

[Zachery]

I clicked "Send" in diagnostics after typing in my email address; the script have been executing for about a minute now and still no response. The IE logo is turning though; so it is definetly doing something...


Edit:
It gave me this:
SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: None
sendmail_path: /usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i


Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home2/gogmia/public_html/forums/includes/mail.php on line 216


Line 214 to 217
214. if (!$this->sendMessage("RCPT TO:<" . trim($address) . ">", 250))
215. {
216. return errorMessage("Unexpected response from SMTP server");
217. }

I'm guessing I still need to contact my host; thanks anyways for the great effort put in! This post is safe to be deleted.
Did you make sure you created an smpt account? :)

[Natch]

Is it best to create a separate account for these purposes ?

[Dark_Wizard]

Is it best to create a separate account for these purposes ?

Why not change this:

var $smtpUser = user@domain.com;


to this:

var $smtpUser = $vboptions[webmasteremail];


and obviously add the password on the next line....

[Natch]

Good one :) I like it!

[Ian Dagnabbit]

Thanks! This is just what I needed. I applied this to my 3.0.3 system and it works.

[Zachery]

Thanks! This is just what I needed. I applied this to my 3.0.3 system and it works.
Glad to hear it :)

[deathemperor]

what exactly does this hack do ?

[Zachery]

what exactly does this hack do ?
instead of using php's mail function your using an smpt account to send email.

[MrToasty]

Any notable advantages to this function over the use of php mailing?

[dlopan]

Thanks for the hack. Works great.

[TRANCEBUDHA]

I Cant Download The File Of The Smtp.txt Of These Tread And I Want To Enable The Smtp Function Becuse I Have A Shared Host That Doest Change A Thing, I Dont Want To Change The Host Because They Dont Have A Bandwith Control.
I CAN SE ALL THE CODES BUT NOT THE TXT FILE AT THE BIGINNIG

[Zachery]

I Cant Download The File Of The Smtp.txt Of These Tread And I Want To Enable The Smtp Function Becuse I Have A Shared Host That Doest Change A Thing, I Dont Want To Change The Host Because They Dont Have A Bandwith Control.
I CAN SE ALL THE CODES BUT NOT THE TXT FILE AT THE BIGINNIG
O.o take a deep breath and try clearing your cache and redownlioading the files

[TRANCEBUDHA]

O.o take a deep breath and try clearing your cache and redownlioading the files


THANKS A LOT

[the wiz]

EDIT: Got it working. Now people on AOL can get e-mail notifications and I can stop getting returned mail notices. Thanks. :D

[deb0]

Inittally without trying your code, I would get this running VB diag:

SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: me@localhost.com
sendmail_path: None

My hoster won't let me touch the php.ini.

I grabbed your script, followed it verbatim, and now I get this

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in H:\hshome\wiltechs\basementreview.com\forums\inclu des\mail.php on line 235

Here is my line 235

return errorMessage("Unexpected response from SMTP server");

help!!!!

[Zachery]

Inittally without trying your code, I would get this running VB diag:

SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: me@localhost.com
sendmail_path: None

My hoster won't let me touch the php.ini.

I grabbed your script, followed it verbatim, and now I get this

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in H:\hshome\wiltechs\basementreview.com\forums\inclu des\mail.php on line 235

Here is my line 235

return errorMessage("Unexpected response from SMTP server");

help!!!!
Are you sure thats there by default? if you follow the directoions to the tooth they work just fine.

[deb0]

I am positive. I went further and added the vboptions part like so in the mail.php file:

var $smtpHost = "mail.myserver.com";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = $vboptions[webmasteremail];
var $smtpPass = "password";
var $smtpSocket = null;

Now, I get this error:

Parse error: parse error, unexpected T_VARIABLE in H:\hshome\wiltechs\basementreview.com\forums\inclu des\mail.php on line 96


This is line 96 : var $smtpUser = $vboptions[webmasteremail];

[the wiz]

Put in an actual e-mail address instead of the vb code.

[deb0]

Well, Here is what I have tried and the error below it:


user@domain.com;


Parse error: parse error, unexpected '@', expecting ',' or ';' in H:\hshome\wiltechs\basementreview.com\forums\inclu des\mail.php on line 97

"user@domain.com" or 'user@domain.com';

SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: me@localhost.com
sendmail_path: None

The mailing function returned an error while trying to send the mail.
Check your mail server to ensure it is configured correctly to allow PHP to send mail from it. You should also check your mail server's error log for more diagnostic information.

This is really frustrating, been working on this all dayum day

[rake]

put it between single quotes.

[deb0]

look at what I entered before, I tried it without, with, and with double quotes.

Thx for the help anyway. Guess I will have to find another way, as I have followed this thread to the letter, and it doesn't work still.

VB3.03

[the wiz]

If it says and error was returned, then you SMTP server either requires authentication or you did not put in the username and/or password correctly.

[deb0]

the account I am using, I use everyday. I can login and pop on this account all day long. As mentioned on previous postes, I have tried many ways to specify the account.

Any examples ot suggestions, I will gladly try

[the wiz]

For the SMTP does your server require the @domain.com to work?

[Zachery]

For the SMTP does your server require the @domain.com to work?
You need an @domain but not @domain.com depending.

[Illuvatar]

Well....I'm getting the 2 - Illuvatar .... Emailing
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/warofthe/public_html/forums/vbulletin225/upload/includes/mail.php on line 235


and here is the code as in my mail.php
var $smtpHost = "209.50.253.101";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = 'illuvatar@warofthering.net';
var $smtpPass = '*******'; (pass is really there) hehe
var $smtpSocket = null;

Now....I can use either our IP Addy or 'warofthering.net' for my POP and SMTP servers in outlook, and when I check with Servint, they said best just to use IP addy....

Well...I've tried both....used double quotes on everything instead of single, and no matter what I try, it hangs for a minute or so and then it kicks me back the error above.

Now..I know that this hack is unsupported...but...a couple of folks seem to have been able to make it work. I've tried just about everything in this thread, and it don't wanna work.*sniff* Can anybody help me?

[Floris]

I am putting this in here once it has been confirmed working ill ask it to be moved.

I offer no support, enabling SMTP will be considered hacking, thus why it is here.

Thanks to Chris on the vB team for the help :0
Great stuff Zachery. Keep those hacker-help-tutorials coming.

[Illuvatar]

*bump*

[Zachery]

*bump*
Make sure your using a basic text editor, such as wordpad, or editpad, dont use dreamweaver.

[Illuvatar]

Make sure your using a basic text editor, such as wordpad, or editpad, dont use dreamweaver.
Thanks mate...will give it a go....was using DW. :p

[Illuvatar]

Okay mate...

I made the exact same changes with NotePad, and got the same results. Here's the code (excluding the pass of course) var $smtpHost = "209.50.253.101";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = 'illuvatar@warofthering.net';
var $smtpPass = '******';
var $smtpSocket = null;

Whatcha think? You wouldn't be interested in some temporary FTP access would ya? ;)

[Zachery]

Okay mate...

I made the exact same changes with NotePad, and got the same results. Here's the code (excluding the pass of course)

Whatcha think? You wouldn't be interested in some temporary FTP access would ya? ;)
Odd, now, just as a loof, this account exsists and its not your cacheall?

[Illuvatar]

Correct sir! That is my actual email account and is also listed as the webmaster email as well. I took the smtp host info directly out of my Outlook account/server area.

In fact..I just got notified of your reply at the above email;)

[Erwin]

Some SMTP servers do NOT allow connections from unknown IPs for security reasons to avoid spamming even if you have the correct passwords.

[Illuvatar]

K......but if we are using our own server as our nameserver and mail handler....would this still be a problem? Do I need to contact my provider?

[Illuvatar]

Hey Zach,

The nice folks over at Servint are trying to help me sort out why this is not working for me and asked a question that I do not know. :p

Does this code attempt to send mail via Sendmail or Exim?

Thanks!

[Zachery]

Hey Zach,

The nice folks over at Servint are trying to help me sort out why this is not working for me and asked a question that I do not know. :p

Does this code attempt to send mail via Sendmail or Exim?

Thanks!
Honestly? I do not know :/

[Illuvatar]

lol....

No worries! I'll let them try and sort this bugger!

[dlouly47]

is this hack good with vb 3 and i am using exchange 2003 with windows 2003, thanks. i can't get any mail from php to work.

[dlouly47]

ok i did the changes and i get this error,

Parse error: parse error, expecting `','' or `';'' in c:\inetpub\wwwroot\forum\includes\mail.php on line 96

I am running vb3.0.3 on a Windows 2003/Exchange 2003.

Looks like it doesn't like var $smtpUser = webmaster@lou-ly.com;

[owner]

I get this error : Parse error: parse error, unexpected '@', expecting ',' or ';' in /home/***/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 96

[Zachery]

I get this error : Parse error: parse error, unexpected '@', expecting ',' or ';' in /home/***/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 96
Whats on line 96 :)

[owner]

var $smtpHost = "mailserver.server.info";
var $smtpPort = 25;
Line 96 var $smtpUser = admin@site.com;
var $smtpPass = *****;
var $smtpSocket = null;

[Illuvatar]

Hey ya Zach!

I wanted to report back here if and when my programmer fixed the issues that we were having with this, and I must apologise for the delay as we were able to get this working late in October! :nervous:

He did however have to make some changes, but now I am very pleased to report that it works a charm! I get zero, I repeat zero rejections from providers like Hotmail, AOL, and the like. And this also allowed us to change the settings on the server to "Disallow mail to be sent from User Nobody" which was a big security hole, and ended us up on a few blacklists for SPAM. Thanks to you and this hack, we've been removed from most if not all hacks and couldn't be happier. :cool:

Sooo...here is what he had to do to get this to work for us, and I've also attached our functions and mail php files all marked with:
# SMTP mail bug fix Ulf Stabe (server, email, and pass info removed of course..hehe) - the errormessage function needs to be outside the smtp class
- changed the opening HELO command to the EHLO command
- a typo in an if clause of mail class : if ($this->smtpUser AND
$this->smtpPass) --> if ($this->smtpUser & $this->smtpPass)
- explicitely set a socket timeout of 100 millisec, otherwise every call
where the response is checked takes 1 min (default timeout). So sending one
mail took more than 6 min!
- In VB the delimiter for sendmail is a linefeed (/n), SMTP needs carriage
return and linefeed (/r/n) This is only set correctly when the php ini entry
for sendmail path is removed.
I replace the wrong delimiter with the right one now shortly before the mail
is sent.
I hope this helps anyone who was having the same issue as I was, and thanks again ZACHERY!!!

[Zachery]

Hey ya Zach!

I wanted to report back here if and when my programmer fixed the issues that we were having with this, and I must apologise for the delay as we were able to get this working late in October! :nervous:

He did however have to make some changes, but now I am very pleased to report that it works a charm! I get zero, I repeat zero rejections from providers like Hotmail, AOL, and the like. And this also allowed us to change the settings on the server to "Disallow mail to be sent from User Nobody" which was a big security hole, and ended us up on a few blacklists for SPAM. Thanks to you and this hack, we've been removed from most if not all hacks and couldn't be happier. :cool:

Sooo...here is what he had to do to get this to work for us, and I've also attached our functions and mail php files all marked with:
# SMTP mail bug fix Ulf Stabe (server, email, and pass info removed of course..hehe)
I hope this helps anyone who was having the same issue as I was, and thanks again ZACHERY!!!
Never, NEVER, EVER~! post vBulletin files. ever.

1. When you do you break the license agreement with jelsoft
2. you break the forum rules

You can psot file changes, instructions to fix the bugs, but not whole vBulletin stock files

[Illuvatar]

Oh jeez.......

Apologies Zach!! :speechless:

Since I didn't actually do the coding I figured it would be less confusing than just posting the changes, but he labled all of his changes so it was easy enough for me to do. I've gone through the two files and have pieced it together the best I can and attached ONLY the changes.

Better? I Really hope this helps!

Sorry for stepping out of bounds. *Considers his hands properly slapped*

[Zachery]

Oh jeez.......

Apologies Zach!! :speechless:

Since I didn't actually do the coding I figured it would be less confusing than just posting the changes, but he labled all of his changes so it was easy enough for me to do. I've gone through the two files and have pieced it together the best I can and attached ONLY the changes.

Better? I Really hope this helps!

Sorry for stepping out of bounds. *Considers his hands properly slapped*
Its ok :) just need to ensure that people get the message about posting files :)

[Dan]

ooo nice one zak :D

[owner]

I get this error : Parse error: parse error, unexpected '@', expecting ',' or ';' in /home/***/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 96

var $smtpHost = "mailserver.server.info";
var $smtpPort = 25;
Line 96 var $smtpUser = admin@site.com;
var $smtpPass = *****;
var $smtpSocket = null;

---------

Still StuCK cant send mails nuthing happening .. plz help me on this one will be very greatful :)

[bi11i]

I also was getting the parser error using vb v3.0.3 and Argosoft Mail Server Pro (v1.8.7.0). This fix did not work for me (in fact, it looks like it's designed for an earlier version of vB.)

I ultimately had to use full quotations around my smtpuser field for it to work. I was unable to use the $vbphrase[webmasteremail].

var $smtpHost = "mailserver.server.info";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = "admin@site.com";
var $smtpPass = *****;
var $smtpSocket = null;


It's too bad this isn't supported by default - I'm super curious why it's not. Now my poor little board is hacked.

Thanks for whoever it was that finally led me in the right direction...

[Gary King]

Nice mod, but I don't see why I get this errormessage() error like some other people in this thread are getting :(

[Gary King]

Oh jeez.......

Apologies Zach!! :speechless:

Since I didn't actually do the coding I figured it would be less confusing than just posting the changes, but he labled all of his changes so it was easy enough for me to do. I've gone through the two files and have pieced it together the best I can and attached ONLY the changes.

Better? I Really hope this helps!

Sorry for stepping out of bounds. *Considers his hands properly slapped*

Your mod causes some parse errors.

[bi11i]

I fixed my parsing errors by encapsulating my email address in double quotations.

[Gary King]

I fixed my parsing errors by encapsulating my email address in double quotations.
That's not what I'm talking about.

Anyways, I can't seem to get this to work :(

I've contacted Jelsoft and they haven't replied back in 3 hours or so yet as well.

[hasan2k]

Oh jeez.......

Apologies Zach!! :speechless:

Since I didn't actually do the coding I figured it would be less confusing than just posting the changes, but he labled all of his changes so it was easy enough for me to do. I've gone through the two files and have pieced it together the best I can and attached ONLY the changes.

Better? I Really hope this helps!

Sorry for stepping out of bounds. *Considers his hands properly slapped*

Your FUNCTIONS.php change cause T string error. I followed your txt file and I think it needs to be checked for the {} signs

[Zachery]

That's not what I'm talking about.

Anyways, I can't seem to get this to work :(

I've contacted Jelsoft and they haven't replied back in 3 hours or so yet as well.
We wont either this is an unsupported option

[bi11i]

then what ARE you talking about? your post isn't all that specific, what do you expect?That's not what I'm talking about.

Anyways, I can't seem to get this to work :(

I've contacted Jelsoft and they haven't replied back in 3 hours or so yet as well.

[hasan2k]

This hack is so important for so many of us.

[hasan2k]

Sorry for stepping out of bounds. *Considers his hands properly slapped*

With the help from the above person, I got my smtp to send emails. user "nobody" is not allowed to send emails.

I somehow got it to work but i had to change some setting in my server.(smtp setting)

In the server WHM, I did this:

Server Setup > Security Tweaks > The SMTP Tweak is disabled

Without this the emails were not working and I was getting all kind of errors. Now my smtp is kind of insecure. php doesnt send email as "nobody" now cause I disabled in WHM. But I dont know how to have the smtp check for users id before letting them use smtp to send emails.

Can someone give me some pointers ? I want to be able to have the smtp check for userid/password before they allow someone to send email. Now anyone can i believe.

[HuangA]

Zach, can I please request something similar to Illuvatar's fixed attachement to be posted on the first page entry as well? It took me a good 30 minutes of hair ripping before I finally noticed his little attachement and applied for it to get my vb to work... Now that I'm missing like half of my hair, I'd like to keep the other half next time I need to apply this (maybe the next major release?)....

[BlazeXXX]

If I am not wrong, to be able to send mails through SMTP, first you need to verify your self with user id and password. Thats why this hack needs ur logins to connect. "Nobody" is simply using php mail function to send mail.. so I don't think your SMTP is insecure.

I think you could edit the settings if u still fear in SMTP conf file.

I could not get it to work :(. I haven't tried the second attachment which Illuvator gave. I tried it, but did not work.. so i am trying what Zach gave.

Getting this error:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/torrents/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 235

at Line 235:
if (!$this->sendMessage(".", 250))
{
return errorMessage("Unexpected response from SMTP server");


I got that code. However, I disabled SMTP tweak, also checked my server doesnt allow to send mails as "NoBody".


EDIT:

I could send mail to single user through diagnose tools, but when I send mass mails I am getting this error:

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/torrents/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 218

The line I got in mail.php at 213 - 219 are:
if (!$this->sendMessage(base64_encode($this->smtpUser), 334) OR !$this->sendMessage(base64_encode($this->smtpPass), 235))

{

return errorMessage("Authorization to the SMTP server failed");

}

It can't be wrong password, because it is able to send mail to a single user. It sent to one person in mass mail list, it only occured for second > user.


Any idea how to overcome it?

[zaon]

I'm on vBulletin 3.0.1 at the moment, but don't see a mail.php file anywhere, much less in the includes directory. I really need to use SMTP to send mail via gmail.com instead of from forums server directly (for reverse lookup reasons/blocking/etc). Is this code found in some other includes file in 3.0.1 versus 3.0.2+? I wouldnt' think any major structural changes to vbulletin would exist between security releases. What do I do?

[Zachery]

I'm on vBulletin 3.0.1 at the moment, but don't see a mail.php file anywhere, much less in the includes directory. I really need to use SMTP to send mail via gmail.com instead of from forums server directly (for reverse lookup reasons/blocking/etc). Is this code found in some other includes file in 3.0.1 versus 3.0.2+? I wouldnt' think any major structural changes to vbulletin would exist between security releases. What do I do?
NOTE THE TOPIC OF THE THREAD


howto enable smtp for vBulletin 3.0.2 and 3.0.3 It also works on all versions there after.

[zaon]

Thanks, Zachery.

I'll go ahead and renew my maintenance agreement so I can upgrade to latest ver of vbulletin.

One more question tho:

My gmail SMTP server requires some additional settings I want to ensure this forum fix will accommodate:

1) outgoing SMTP server requires authentication (using same settings as incoming POP)
2) outgoing SMTP server port requires SSL encryption (port number 465)

Either of those pose a problem with this install? I can see in your code where you enter your port number, so maybe that automatically enables SSL. But where do you switch on outgoing authentication?

Appreciate your patience with me. Thanks.

--Justin

[btappan]

Has any got this working using Illuvatar's rendition? When I used just Zacherys instructions, it sends emails, but some get bounced even when their good valid addresses. I tried using Illuvatar's fix but get all kinds of errors. part of it is that his instruction have a piece of code repeated twice in them.

$mailObj = new SmtpMail($toemail, $subject, $message, $header, $vboptions['webmasteremail'], (boolean)$vboptions['needfromemail']);
}
else
{
$mailObj = new Mail($toemail, $subject, $message, $header, $vboptions['webmasteremail'], (boolean)$vboptions['needfromemail']);
}
return $mailObj->success;
}

this section ends up in functions.php twice if you just copy in past from his .txt file. who has this working?

[zaon]

Hmmm.. if no one is able to answer my question two posts up, maybe someone can state whether or not they're able to use this SMTP send function with web-based real email like gmail, hotmail, yahoo, etc., which offer POP/SMTP access to those accounts?

[ALcorn]

But where do you switch on outgoing authentication?
Outgoing authentification is set just by filling the following parameters
$smtpUser = user@domain.com;
$smtpPass = password;

But I think there will be a problem with SSL.

[zaon]

Thanks, ALcorn :-)

Also, I rechecked and google mail does indeed require TSL/SSL for outgoing SMTP connections and there's no way around that.

Google tells me this shouldn't be a problem because ALL current mail clients in the world, no matter how obscure, have a setting for TSL (sometimes called 'SSL') for both incoming and outgoing mail sending. So, there must be a way for our Linux/PHP server to send that way, right?

Or, is this SMTP function proprietary to vbulletin, being Jelsoft's hand-made mail-sending code that bypasses normal protocol and only contains the capabilities Jelsoft's programmers have chosen to include?

Thanks for any clarification y'all can offer! :-)

[ALcorn]

is this SMTP function proprietary to vbulletin, being Jelsoft's hand-made mail-sending code that bypasses normal protocol and only contains the capabilities Jelsoft's programmers have chosen to include?
In fact the support of SSL/TLS should be sincluded not only the server side (i.e. Google server) but yet on the client side, in our case in the VBulletin script. So if there's no SSL/TLS support included in VBulletin no communication via SSL/TLS protocol will be possible.

That mean its probably impossible actually (please, correct me if I am wrong on this point) to have VBulletin send mail via Google SMTP service.

Keep in mind that the SMTP e-mail future is not actually supported by Jelsoft. ;)

[zaon]

So has anyone out there got this SMTP function to work with web-based email of any kind (yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc.)?

[Zachery]

So has anyone out there got this SMTP function to work with web-based email of any kind (yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc.)?
Do any of them support SMTP ?

[ALcorn]

Do any of them support SMTP ? Yes, gmail support the SMTPS.

In fact, I looked more closely to the mail.php and found that the function fsockopen() is used. That mean (at least in theory) we can establish a secure connection via SSL if we prefixe the server name with ssl:// AND we have PHP version better than 4.3.0 AND it was compiled with openssl support. Actually, my host does not have PHP compiled with openssl, so i didn't tried it.

[zaon]

Do any of them support SMTP ?
Yeah, most do. Like yahoo supports SMTP via all sorts of mail clients if you pay the $19/year for the bigger mail box, etc.

Google's Gmail supports it for free but requires it be SSL and authenticated, and even has step-by-step instructions posted online for every type of mail client you can think of.


@ALcorn: Thanks, man :-) So you mean like use:
var $smtpHost = "ssl://mail.domain.com";
??

And I do have PHP 4.3.10, but not sure about openssl compiling..guess i'd have to try it.

[code-frog]

In the example you post shouldn't the smtpuser and password be in quotes?

I get errors unless I have those items quoted. Even with quotes this isn't working. Ideas?

P.S. - Running this on a Windows box. UGH!

[bi11i]

Even with quotes this isn't working. Ideas?so are you not getting any errors with the quotes? any more info? any logs, etc when you're getting no errors, but no functionality.....?

[Viks]

This setting worked for me perfectly. thanks Zachery

============
var $smtpHost = "smtp.example.com";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = "myemail@address.com";
var $smtpPass = *********;
var $smtpSocket = null;
=================

[zaon]

Ok, I upgraded vbulletin so I could install this hack.

I ran into same errors until i put double quotes around all three string items, leaving just port and socket without quotes.

But then i got that Fatal error: Call to undefined function:
errormessage() in /home/sites/www/zaon.org/includes/mail.php on line 218
error which of course points back to just this line:
return errorMessage("Unexpected response from SMTP server");
which I assume has something to do with this hack and the mail server not playing nice.

So, in order to test and then use this feature, if ANYONE has this working can you please post your account settings? And by that I obviously don't mean your username/pass, but rather which settings and which web-based SMTP email provider (yahoo, hotmail, whatever) you're using.

[code-frog]

If you are running on Windows 2003 or a Windows Server you need to find your php mail.ini file and change it's smtp server to: 127.0.0.1 and it's smtp user to a real account on the message board domain. I did that and it worked fine. I also had to allow "SMTP Relaying for authenticated users" on SMTP server. It works about 80% of the time now and the other 20% is a configuration problem on my server that I'm slowly tuning out. I've purposely left out the location of the mail.ini file for php because it may not be the same on every server. I use a program called PLESK to admin my windows server and CPANEL to admin my Linux server.

- Rex

[zaon]

Thanks, Rex. Although I'm on an apache/Linux server. So hmmmm.

You mentioned getting it to work... which real email provider you get it to function with?

And, for example, does this hack only work accounts that use the "my outgoing server requires authentication" or does it only work with those accounts that specifically do not require that feature?

Ok, I had someone set up a basic SMTP account with no restrictions as a test.

Getting this error now:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/sites/www/zaon.org/includes/mail.php on line 202

Which points to a different, yet similar line as before, in this case:
return errorMessage("Authorization to the SMTP server failed");

Any clues on what's so fussy here?

[Starsurfer]

When I run it i get the error Parse error: parse error, unexpected '@', expecting ',' or ';' in /home/star/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 96
What could be wrong?

[ALcorn]

When I run it i get the error Parse error: parse error, unexpected '@', expecting ',' or ';' in /home/star/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 96
What could be wrong?
Read the topic again... You should write the following line with quotes
var $smtpUser = "user@domain.com";

[Starsurfer]

yeah I noticed that after, I now get the error Warning: fsockopen(): unable to connect to mail.domain.com:25 in /includes/mail.php on line 183

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/star/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 248

[ALcorn]

yeah I noticed that after, I now get the error Warning: fsockopen(): unable to connect to mail.domain.com:25 in /includes/mail.php on line 183

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/star/public_html/includes/mail.php on line 248
Probably, It's the same problem, write the following line with quotes:
var $smtpHost = "mail.domain.com";

[Starsurfer]

It is already that way.

[ALcorn]

It is already that way.
Are you sure you wrote all informations correctly ?

[Starsurfer]

yeah positive.

SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: None
sendmail_path: /usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i

Is that normal for 3.0.7?

[Starsurfer]

Anyone?

[code-frog]

Thanks, Rex. Although I'm on an apache/Linux server. So hmmmm.

You mentioned getting it to work... which real email provider you get it to function with?

And, for example, does this hack only work accounts that use the "my outgoing server requires authentication" or does it only work with those accounts that specifically do not require that feature?

Ok, I had someone set up a basic SMTP account with no restrictions as a test.

Getting this error now:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: errormessage() in /home/sites/www/zaon.org/includes/mail.php on line 202

Which points to a different, yet similar line as before, in this case:
return errorMessage("Authorization to the SMTP server failed");

Any clues on what's so fussy here?

Holy CRUD!!! This thread fired up and I didn't know about it. Let me see...

So I've got a Linux box running this message board and it's email functions are rock solid. (I have a Windows and a Linux server hosted by Burst.) The only thing I can say to you is make sure that your mail functions point to: 127.0.0.1 instead of localhost (in Linux make sure that's defined it should be, a simple ping to that IP would tell you). Then all you need is to make sure that the SMTP account sending the emails is a real account on a real domain on the server. You can get some good feedback using the diagnostic email in the admin panel. It's under "Import & Maintenance" down at the bottom of the panel. Click "Diagnostics" then send email. You'll get some useful output.

I'll watch for your replies so let me know.

yeah positive.

SMTP: localhost
sendmail_from: None
sendmail_path: /usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i


Is that normal for 3.0.7?

Nope that's wrong.

SMTP: 127.0.0.1
sendmail_from: realuser@realdomainonthisserver.com
sendmail_path: // This looks okay.

Are you on Linux/Windows ehem Winblows? Let me know... I mentioned earlier I'm running this on Windows and Linux. The Linux is so bulletproof I don't even check it. The windows I have to have 9 secret service agents watching around the clock.

[Starsurfer]

Linux, so I need to change the smtp to 127..0.0.1?

[code-frog]

Linux, so I need to change the smtp to 127..0.0.1?

Well depending on which version of Linux you are using and how apache is setup you may not have localhost defined even if you do phpmail may not see it. So what I started doing was to first make a backup copy of the file before I did anything. Then I used the diagnostic email to test.

If I were you I'd open the CLI and ping 127.0.0.1 and ping localhost make sure both respond. If only 127.0.0.1 does then there you go.

Anyway, yeah change it to 127.0.0.1 (this is called your loopback interface). Give that a try. If that does not work then I'll ask more questions.

Now you do have public domains on this box that are able to use SMTP mail right? In other words you know for a fact that sendmail or whatever you are using for SMTP/POP is working correctly. Right?

[Starsurfer]

Do you have aim msn we coudl talk on? This is a bit too much for moi!

[code-frog]

Do you have aim msn we coudl talk on? This is a bit too much for moi!

Give me your address so I know to allow you. Mine is MSN: admin@wouldntsomespammerliketohaveit.com

Once you have contacted me I'll be deleting my address so do it quickly.

[Starsurfer]

spammers@sick.com

[zaon]

...Then all you need is to make sure that the SMTP account sending the emails is a real account on a real domain on the server.
That's the problem. In today's world it's not feasible to host your own mail server because of how modern spam filters have become so discriminating the vast bulk of mail outbound from my server is categorized as 'spam' despite not being on any IP blacklists.

In short, "Real Email" in my book refers to very professional mail such as yahoo, gmail, and the like. I really prefer outbound vbulletin mail to come from gmail or perhaps yahoo. But have kinda given up because of the SSH requirement for gmail since apparently this vbulletin beta smtp module doesn't support it? Hmm...

[code-frog]

That's the problem. In today's world it's not feasible to host your own mail server because of how modern spam filters have become so discriminating the vast bulk of mail outbound from my server is categorized as 'spam' despite not being on any IP blacklists.

In short, "Real Email" in my book refers to very professional mail such as yahoo, gmail, and the like. I really prefer outbound vbulletin mail to come from gmail or perhaps yahoo. But have kinda given up because of the SSH requirement for gmail since apparently this vbulletin beta smtp module doesn't support it? Hmm...

If you have reverse DNS on your mail server, domain, etc and you have an SPF record you can email the president without trouble. There's nothing mysterious about email. You are either blacklisted or you are not. I've had my own email on several custom domains with reverse DNS and SPF records and never had any trouble. SPF is not a strict requirement but it makes your mail server fully compliant with the current standards.

[zaon]

If you have reverse DNS on your mail server
That's part of the problem right there. Sharing an IP among several dot coms. Nothing wrong with that, yet according to spam filters it's "highly suspect" lol.

Also, the other direction is the hardest part.. keeping up with all the spam filtering updates, etc.

[code-frog]

That's part of the problem right there. Sharing an IP among several dot coms. Nothing wrong with that, yet according to spam filters it's "highly suspect" lol.

Also, the other direction is the hardest part.. keeping up with all the spam filtering updates, etc.

Yup. I've split out all my domains on to static IP's so I could get reverse DNS and SPF records set up. It's a PITA.

[|Jordan|]

I've tried everything on this thread and nothing works.

My mail settings:

var $smtpHost = "mail.gamers-union.net";
var $smtpPort = 25;
var $smtpUser = "admin+gamers-union.net";
var $smtpPass = ***************;
var $smtpSocket = null;

Ive tried single quotes, double quotes, without quotes, 127.0.0.1, localhost and Illuvatar's fix

My mail server requires Authentication too. Server is linux fedora core 3 (i think).

[code-frog]

My mail server requires Authentication too. Server is linux fedora core 3 (i think).

Do you buy chance know which mail server you are using and if it's configured properly to receive relay requests?

What type of server is vBulletin running on?

I've built up 3 new Windows 2003 servers and 2 Linux servers for clients (not my licenses for vB but client licenses) and it's worked like a charm.

Can you relay to this server using Outlook for example?

I'll try to help best I can... This is a rather mysterious issue though...

[|Jordan|]

Nevermind!

I fixed it!

I looked at the forum of a friend who has the fix working. I looked at his files, tried something and it worked.

Here's what i did:


In functions.php

Find:

if (true) // will eventually use $vboptions to determine this

Change To:

if (false) // will eventually use $vboptions to determine this


I know the instructions of the smtp fix say it should be the other way around, but this worked for me (and my friends forum which has extremely heavy traffic).

[Zachery]

Nevermind!

I fixed it!

I looked at the forum of a friend who has the fix working. I looked at his files, tried something and it worked.

Here's what i did:


In functions.php

Find:

if (true) // will eventually use $vboptions to determine this

Change To:

if (false) // will eventually use $vboptions to determine this


I know the instructions of the smtp fix say it should be the other way around, but this worked for me (and my friends forum which has extremely heavy traffic).

Could just upgrade to 3.5 ;)

[|Jordan|]

Not going to happen.

My forum is hacked to death (90+ hacks), and unless all those hacks are ported over to 3.5, i wont upgrade.

[Zachery]

I'd hate to be your webhost.

[|Jordan|]

Why?

The forum isint that slow, its not slower than phpbb. Also 70% of the hacks i installed are administrative/optimization.

[GrowReport]

will this work for 3.7?

The terms you say to look for are not part of the functions.php in that version.

mail.php is class_mail.php in my new version.

is it safe to assume that those are the same pages just different names? the code was in the mail page and I could modify as described.

But for the function.php page there was nothing like what everyone says to search for?

"if (false) // will eventually use $vboptions to determine this" This search phrase is not in functions.php

Anyone know what the phrase was changed to?

[ALcorn]

will this work for 3.7?Why do you need this hack? vBulletin v.3.7.x support SMTP natively.

[GrowReport]

Why do you need this hack? vBulletin v.3.7.x support SMTP natively.


I was looking for something that worked.

because it's not working right now.

I get this error message:
"Warning: 501 Unexpected response from SMTP server during FROM address transmission in [path]/includes/class_mail.php on line 586"

--------------- Added 1213297902 at 1213297902 ---------------

I get that from the Diagnostics under Maintance to test SMTP.

I know the settings are correct because my Outlook can connect with the same settings and send mail.

[ALcorn]

GrowReport, why not posting your question to the official VB support?

[Zachery]

Alcorn is right, post at vBulletin.com for actual support reuqest.

[GrowReport]

I figured it out, thanks everyone.

I did post a support ticket but they just said it was the hosts fault.

it turned out to be an extra mailto: tag in the source code when an email is sent and the name is generated it came across to the mail server as mailto:name@dot.com and of course that is not the proper format.