Since this host is not MXed, and based upon my probing of the .VE SMTP port, I would hazard a guess that the host responds slowly relative to timeouts associated with the SMTP client process at St. Johns. A different SMTP client might have different timeouts more suitable for mail delivery to your particular .VE host. -- co-owner INFOSYS, TQM-L, CPARK-L, ERAPPA-L, JANITORS, LDBASE-L, et -L [log in to unmask] "Are cycle-stealers thieves? ;-)" +1 814 863 1843 31 Shields Bldg. -- Penn State Univ -- University Park, PA 16802-1202 USA