Yes, I have in fact been connected via ADSL line to the ISP: Telkomsa.net.
Sending/reading normal email with no problems. My ISP techy states their news
server is running normal.
Reading news messages from Microsoft Communities News Message server poses
no problem at all. Speed and access is fast.
On news.saix.net news server, however, the error message still persists via
port 119.
I've disabled and later uninstalled all antivirus programs and also opened
my firewall completely.
NO CHANGE in error message status.
I am now contemplating reinstalling Windows Vista Business, but would like
any other positive feedback before doing this drastic step.
Any advice/help greatly appreciated.

"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

> news.telkomsa.net is an alias for news.saix.net. Both have the same
> IP address. The server is definitely live, but I was not able to connect
> to it on port 119. That's not unusual because some ISPs restrict
> usage to users actually on their network. Were you in fact connected
> to the Internet via SAIX when you got that error message?
>
> --
> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
>
>
> "Toppiegtrs" <Toppiegtrs@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message newsEED782F-1965-429C-B0CC-3AE7BAFEB90F@microsoft.com...
> > Connected to "news.saix.net" news server I get the following error message:
> >
> > Error Message:
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > "Unable to connect to server."
> > Configiguration:
> > Account:news.telkomsa.net
> > Protocol: NNTP
> > Port: 119
> > Secure(SSL):0
> > Code:800ccc0e
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > My System Configuration is a s follows:
> > Operating System: Windows Vista Business Edition
> > eMail/News Reader program: Windows Mail
> > Internet connection: Via ADSL router.
> > Antivirus Program: PC Tools Antispyware Doctor - Updated & Current
> > Reading eMail messages - No problem!; but ....
> >
> > Reading/connecting to Newsgroups/servers
> > I find connecting to the above news server come up with above error message.
> > However, after trying for more than 10 minutes, it finally does connect
> > and newsgroup messages then download fine.
> >
> > This is unusual since I had no problem connecting to news servers before.
> > I have not installed any new programs for more than 30 days.
> > I've checked/changed: Antivirus settings/Security settings/Parental
> > control/Add-on controls/etc.
> > My ISP says all news servers are working fine on their side ......
> >
> > Anyone / Network specialists .....Please help.
> >
> > email address: groengtrs@telkomsa.net
> >
> >
> >
>