Set Up for POP (Thunderbird-Mac)

Note: This page covers first-time user instructions for configuring an e-mail client to use POP (Post Office Protocol) for Thunderbird. Instructions below only cover the latest version of Thunderbird we support; instructions for previous versions may be similar, but not exact.

1. If this is your first time using Thunderbird, you will see a window similar to the following:

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 01

2. Select the Email account button.
3. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 02

   1. Type your full name, nickname, or whatever you prefer into the Your Name: field.
   2. Type your e-mail address into the Email Address: field. Use your alias@northwestern.edu, e.g. b-mcgee@northwestern.edu.
4. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 03a (POP)

   1. Select the POP radio button.
   2. Type the name of your mail server into the Incoming Server: field. Your mail server is one of the following:
      • merle.it.northwestern.edu
      • lulu.it.northwestern.edu
      • casbah.it.northwestern.edu
      • hecky.it.northwestern.edu Note: Some departments have their own mail servers. If your mail server is not listed above, see your UNITS representative for the name of your mail server.
   3. Click the Use Global Inbox (store mail in Local Folders) checkbox if it is unchecked.
   4. Type the name of your mail server, or your SMTP server provided to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) into the Outgoing Server: field if it is different than your incoming mail server. Note: If you are connecting to the NU Network through an External Internet Service Provider (ISP), you need to obtain the name of your ISP's SMTP server and enter it into Outgoing Server: if you meet all of the following conditions:
      • You have an e-mail account on casbah, lulu, hecky or merle.
      • You use a third-party Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as America Online or InterAccess, or a cable modem/DSL to access the Internet.
      • You send mail to persons outside of the NU Network (northwestern.edu).
5. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 04

   • Type your NetID into the Incoming User Name: field.
6. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 05

   • Type NU Mail into the Account Name: field.
7. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Complete (POP)

   1. Un-check the Download messages now checkbox if it is checked.
   2. Click Done.
8. From the Tools menu, select Account Settings…. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Preferences-Main

9. Select Server Settings from the left-hand portion of the window. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Preferences-Server Settings (POP)

   1. Select the SSL radio button.
   2. Un-check the Use secure authentication checkbox if it is checked.
   3. Check the Check for new messages at startup checkbox.
   4. Check the Check for new messages checkbox.
   5. Check the Automatically download new messages checkbox.
   6. Un-check the Leave messages on server checkbox if it is checked.
10. Click OK to save your changes.