PC help: New email address

Q I have Windows XP and use Microsoft Outlook. My husband wants me to open an email account for him and I have tried to do so several times, varying the information I give, but the result is always the same.

After filling in the required information in Outlook and running the test, I’m asked for the username and password, even though I have already entered it.

I have assumed the incoming and outgoing mail addresses will be the same as set up for me, but Outlook does not make it clear when it asks for my name, email address and log on information whether it wants my details or that of the new account holder. Can you help?
Pam Viccars

A It’s not clear what kind of email service you want to set up - most ISPs offer more than one email address, but the way they work varies from one ISP to another. Some are just forwarding addresses - your existing address might be abc@my_isp.com, and they can set up another address xyz@my_isp.com.

But all email to the second address would simply be forwarded to the first, so there is no need to change your settings in Outlook. All email to both addresses will appear when you send and receive mail in Outlook.

Alternatively, some ISPs will set up separate email addresses. In that case, you need to tell Outlook the new email address and the password for the mailbox. The server names will be the same as for your existing email account as they are both from the same ISP.

In either case, you will first need to set up the email address with your ISP. Check its website for a control panel or email toolbox, or see the help or support section for details of how to set up a second email address (alternatively, call the technical helpline, although many ISPs charge for this).

The helpline or website will be able to tell you the username and password for the new address, as well as any other details you need to put into Outlook. When you’re ready, open Outlook and go to Tools, then Accounts, and proceed to add a new address. The details it asks for are those the ISP has given you for the new account.

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