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mbox mail doesn't work in Lion

M

Mikegs

macrumors regular
Original poster
Hi guys

Does anybody, like me, use mbox mail for mac in order to get imap like features to hotmail accounts in mac mail?

Worked perfectly in SL but asks for a password in Lion, and this password is different from the hotmail password.....
 
Yep, I have the same issue! Its a real bummer.

I'd prefer to use Mail but I'll have to stick with Outlook 2011 for now.
 
Last edited:
Another person who discovered mBox does not work under Lion. Their website and twitter feed has not been updated in a while either.

Darn 🙁
 
It seems mbox doesn't support the AUTHENTICATE command

Mail 5 seems to be using the IMAP AUTHENTICATE command.
It's possible previous version used LOGIN command (I tried this one with mbox from telnet and worked well).
Wonder if Mail can be "convinced" to use the old mechanism.. Digging...
 
Same problems here - any solutions gratefully received.

Another possible way around... on the iPhone, Hotmail can be set up using Microsoft Exchange which does give the IMAP functionality of keeping the inbox synched etc. I tried using the same settings in Lion Mail as for my iPhone but it didn't work. Maybe there is another work around to be found there if MBox cannot be made to work or it not updated!?
 
I managed to get it to work

But you need a hex editor and some dirt on your hands.

Basically you have to replace all AUTH=PLAIN with an equal number of spaces in the /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail/mBoxMail file.
 
Thanks for the tip

reseul said:
But you need a hex editor and some dirt on your hands.

Basically you have to replace all AUTH=PLAIN with an equal number of spaces in the /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail/mBoxMail file.
Click to expand...

--- Appreciate the tip - one would think that the FluentFactory people could get a fast fix out on this. I've opened a support ticket with them alerting them to the fact that Lion has a password issue with the mBox configuration... there's nothing in their blogs or support forums and frankly I'm surprised that any beta testing didn't surface this issue sooner to prevent this.
 
reseul said:
But you need a hex editor and some dirt on your hands.

Basically you have to replace all AUTH=PLAIN with an equal number of spaces in the /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail/mBoxMail file.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea, worked like a charm!! I used "HexFiend" to edit the file (make a backup first). You need to stop the service first in control panel. Then just use the find and replace function to replace "AUTH=PLAIN" to 10 spaces. I think there were 5 occurrences in mine that needed to be replaced.

Fire up the service again and bingo! All back to normal! Someone mentioned registration error, but mine seems to be working fine.
 
reseul said:
But you need a hex editor and some dirt on your hands.

Basically you have to replace all AUTH=PLAIN with an equal number of spaces in the /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail/mBoxMail file.
Click to expand...


Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

😀

I was going to try Outlook 2011, but I thought that it might still only make a POP connection. Saved me that hassle.

Thanks for the tip!
 
thebruge said:
Thanks for the idea, worked like a charm!! I used "HexFiend" to edit the file (make a backup first). You need to stop the service first in control panel. Then just use the find and replace function to replace "AUTH=PLAIN" to 10 spaces. I think there were 5 occurrences in mine that needed to be replaced.

Fire up the service again and bingo! All back to normal! Someone mentioned registration error, but mine seems to be working fine.
Click to expand...

BRILLIANT! Thanks so much - good work!!
 
thebruge said:
Thanks for the idea, worked like a charm!! I used "HexFiend" to edit the file (make a backup first). You need to stop the service first in control panel. Then just use the find and replace function to replace "AUTH=PLAIN" to 10 spaces. I think there were 5 occurrences in mine that needed to be replaced.

Fire up the service again and bingo! All back to normal! Someone mentioned registration error, but mine seems to be working fine.
Click to expand...

Sorry to be so dumb but how do I find the folder

/usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail ?

It doesn't appear in finder, or at least I can't find it
 
Well said:
Sorry to be so dumb but how do I find the folder

/usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail ?

It doesn't appear in finder, or at least I can't find it
Click to expand...

It's a hidden directory. Open up Finder. From the top menu select GO then GO TO FOLDER. Then type /usr and you will have the directory USR pop up from which you can navigate to the local/FluentFactory folders.
 
yep mBox does not work under lion.
Bummer, I hope they will have a fix soon.
Sorry, I have no idea how to use these Hex Editor stuff. 😕
 
Success!

The instructions posted here do work. It's probably best to read this string of messages backwards to avoid frustration. First download a HexEditor if you don't have one. Be sure to stop and completely log out of mBox. Then you've got to get into the hidden folder and navigate to the file. Then edit the file per the instructions. Restart mBox. All should be good... it worked for me.
 
More detailed steps

1. Ok, so download Hex Fiend from the link shown by other users.
Also stop mBox server, your email client, etc.
2. Go to the /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail folder with Finder (use Go/Go To Folder menu to get into the hidden /usr folder)
3. Make a copy of the mBoxMail file
4. Open file mBoxMail with Hex Fiend using Open With...
5. In Hex Fiend, choose Edit/Find/Find...
6. In the panel that showed up on top, choose the ASCII radio button
7. Enter AUTH=PLAIN in the Find field
8. Enter 10 spaces in the Replace field
9. Execute "Replace All"
10 Try File/Save
11. It may not work because of rights issues. Dismiss the error message and leave the Hex Fiend running.
12. Separately open a Terminal window
13. Execute "cd /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail"
14. Execute "whoami". The name that shows up is your account alias. Mine is resell, yours is different. Use yours in the next command
15. Execute "sudo chown reseul mBoxMail". You may get prompted for password. Enter it.
16 Back to Hex Fiend, try File Save again. It should work now.
17 Back to terminal, execute "sudo chown root mBoxMail" to restore the right owner (root).

You're done. Close the hex editor, terminal, restart the mbox server..

Now, this may not be the most optimal path. I tried my best.
I hope it helps.
 
reseul said:
16 Back to Hex Fiend, try File Save again. It should work now.
17 Back to terminal, execute "sudo chown root mBoxMail" to restore the right owner (root).
Click to expand...

Ok, so I did everything as you described, only when I try to save the file, it still won't allow me. "Computer says no."
 
Last edited:
Can't find AUTH=PLAIN

reseul said:
1. Ok, so download Hex Fiend from the link shown by other users.
Also stop mBox server, your email client, etc.
2. Go to the /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail folder with Finder (use Go/Go To Folder menu to get into the hidden /usr folder)
3. Make a copy of the mBoxMail file
4. Open file mBoxMail with Hex Fiend using Open With...
5. In Hex Fiend, choose Edit/Find/Find...
6. In the panel that showed up on top, choose the ASCII radio button
7. Enter AUTH=PLAIN in the Find field
8. Enter 10 spaces in the Replace field
9. Execute "Replace All"
10 Try File/Save
11. It may not work because of rights issues. Dismiss the error message and leave the Hex Fiend running.
12. Separately open a Terminal window
13. Execute "cd /usr/local/FluentFactory/mBoxMail"
14. Execute "whoami". The name that shows up is your account alias. Mine is resell, yours is different. Use yours in the next command
15. Execute "sudo chown reseul mBoxMail". You may get prompted for password. Enter it.
16 Back to Hex Fiend, try File Save again. It should work now.
17 Back to terminal, execute "sudo chown root mBoxMail" to restore the right owner (root).

You're done. Close the hex editor, terminal, restart the mbox server..

Now, this may not be the most optimal path. I tried my best.
I hope it helps.
Click to expand...

I tried all the instructions but when I search for AUTH=PLAIN, it doesn't find any references to that???
 
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