[Dovecot] POP does not seem to be working

[Gerard Seibert]

Renaud Allard wrote:

> Did you define pop3_uidl_format in the configuration file?
> 
> Gerard wrote:
> > OK, I am brand new to this so please bear with me.
> > 
> > I have an FreeBSD 6.1 STABLE system. Postfix is installed with qpopper.
> > The mailboxes are standard mbox format.
> > 
> > I just installed Dovecot. At some point I want to update to a mdir
> > format, etc., but quite frankly I do not know how to go about that. In
> > any case, I shut down qpopper and started Dovecot. I modified the
> > Dovecot.conf file SSL settings (turned them off) since I do not have the
> > files it needs built yet.
> > 
> > Anyway, when using a mail client on another PC on my network, although
> > it makes a connection, no mail is ever downloaded. Ther is mail in the
> > folders however. Obviously I am doing something really wrong, but I am
> > not sure what. I would sure appreciate any assistance available.
> > 
> > The only information I have is in the 'log' file which shows the a
> > pop3-login, the user name, method=PLAIN, and two numeric addresses.
> > 
> > Thanks!

I found the problem. Several users on this system (FreeBSD 6.1 STABLE)
are really only virtual users. They do not have a home directory, but
rather '/nonexistent' in the passwd file is listed as the home directory.
Obviously, that does not exist.

Temporarily, I created home directories for them. I have to learn how to
set up postfix for virtual users, and then get Dovecot to accept them. I
have a lot to learn yet it would seem.

Thanks!

-- 
Gerard Seibert
gerard at seibercom.net


Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.

     Woody Allen