This article will describe how to set up Mozilla Thunderbird to retrieve your PSU email on a computer running Microsoft Windows XP. A full-featured email client such as Thunderbird offers more flexibility and control over your inbox than browser based Webmail. Power Users who are familiar with the configuration of email client programs may want to instead review the Email Settings for Advanced Users elsewhere on our site.
- You must have an ODIN account in order to access PSU mail.
- If you are installing Thunderbird on your PSU workstation, you must have administrative rights to the machine.
Obtaining the PSU-customized Thunderbird Installer
The PSU-customized Thunderbird installer is available on the I: drive, in the 'I:/Software/Thunderbird' folder'. From a campus workstation, you can find the I: drive in 'My Computer.' You may also access the folder from off-campus using Myfiles. Copy the 'Thunderbird-2.0.0.19-win-PSU.exe' file to your desktop. Double-click to run the installer program.
Instructions for PSU-customized Thunderbird:
- When you open Thunderbird for the first time after installing the program, you will be presented with the Account Wizard as seen below. The Wizard can be accessed at any time from the 'Tools->Account Settings' menu. Select the 'Portland State University Email Account' from the list of account types, and select 'Next.'
- Enter your ODIN username and password in the fields, and click 'Next.'
- Verify that the information on the screen presented is correct, and click 'Finish.' You may now begin using Thunderbird to access your PSU Email.
Instructions for Thunderbird (Standard):
- From the Account Wizard, select 'Email Account' and click 'Next.'
- Fill in your desired display name and your PSU Email address, then click 'Next.'
- Select the 'IMAP ' radio button. In the 'Incoming Server' field, enter psumail.pdx.edu. In the 'Outgoing Server' field, enter mailhost.pdx.edu. Click 'Next.'
- Enter your ODIN username in both fields, and click 'Next.'
- You may enter any name you wish to call your mail account. Click 'Next.'
- On the next screen, review your information and click 'Finish.' You will then recieve an error message; this is normal.
Click on 'Tools,' and then 'Account Settings.'
- Select 'Server Settings' from the list on the left. Click the 'SSL' radio button from under the 'Security Settings' subheading. This should change the port setting immediately above to 993. Make sure the 'Use Secure Authentication' box is NOT checked.
- From the left-hand menu, select 'Outgoing Server (SMTP.) On the left, click the 'Edit' button. When the 'SMTP Server' window pops up, click the 'TLS' radio button, check the 'Use name and password' check box, and make sure the port is set to '587.' Click 'OK' on the 'SMTP Server' window and the 'Account Settings' window.
- At the main Thunderbird window, select 'Tools' and 'Options.'
- In the 'Options' menu, select 'Composition' and make sure the box next to 'Directory Server' is checked. Select 'Edit Directories.'
- In the 'LDAP Directory Servers' menu, select 'Add.'
- Fill in the boxes as follows. For 'Name' enter 'PSU Directory.' For 'Hostname' enter 'ldap.oit.pdx.edu.' For 'Base DN' enter 'ou=people,dc=pdx,dc=edu.' Then click 'OK' on each menu until you return to the default Thunderbird window.
- At the main Thunderbird window, select 'Tools' and 'Account Settings.'
- Under 'Composition and Addressing,' select the button marked 'Use a different LDAP server' and select 'PSU Directory' from the drop down list. Click 'OK.'
Your account is now configured and ready to use.
- You will be prompted for a password when you open the program, and again when you send your first message. This is normal; if you wish to bypass login you may check the 'Use Password Manager' check box as seen in the capture below.
- If you are unable to log in, or if you are having trouble setting up Thunderbird using this walkthrough, contact the User Support Services Helpdesk for assistance.
- The PSU-customized Thunderbird installer described in the first part of this how-to is installed by default on all Windows machines managed by OIT.
- Users of Windows Vista who wish to set up Thunderbird as described in this how-to may use the same steps. Although the appearance differs, the setup process and information required will be the same.
- How do I send or receive PSU email?
- Attaching an Email Signature: Thunderbird
For help or information concerning setting up, using, or troubleshooting Thunderbird, contact the USS Helpdesk.
