I had setup internet access on a laptop using a USB 3G modem via Virgin

Then I setup a gmail account and enabled pop3 access so I could download emails to windows mail (Vista).

I setup windows mail with the  google pop3 and SMTP names (like I’ve done many times before).

But this time, I seem to receive emails, but sending emails gives error 0x800CCC0B

I double check everything, but still no go.

No help on the internet, except for the obvious stuff like check the SSL settings, etc etc.

There is only one explanation I can think of: Virgin are blocking port 465.

So I take the quick and easy way out: I use the virgin SMTP server and port.

Sometimes its just not worth wasting much time making something work “just right”