Installing Fake Sendmail for Windows: Difference between revisions

PHP’s mail function is extremely easy to use, on the [[PHP mail function | previous page (Solution 1)]] I have shown what modification are required to the '''php.ini''' file to get it up and running with your host's SMTP server. However it '''fails''' if your host requires '''authentication''', to the rescue '''Fake sendmail for Windows'''.

Unix users take all this stuff for granted; its there and they well just send emails. When they try to set '''sendmail "-t"''' on Windows, its not there, so what do you think they do! Yep write something useful like “fake sendmail” by '''Byron Jones''' and give it to the community. The latest software “fake sendmail for windows” can be found here '''[http://glob.com.au/sendmail/ glob.com.au]'''

'''''Note'':''' Please note Uniform Server [[5.3-Nano: msmtp | '''5.2-Nano and 5.3-Nano''']] has '''msmtp''' mail client integrated this is an alternative to “fake sendmail”.

I like pictures it helps with thought processes, take the PHP mail function it has no preconceived idea what OS its running on. The one thing it knows, it must get rid of the data it is given. As long as the exchange is mutually acceptable it goes away happy.

To get rid of its data, knocks on the '''php.ini''' door checks the door number, '''SMTP''', '''smtp_port''' and '''sendmail_from''' all filled in correctly and dumps the data, after getting a '''receipt''' proceeds on its merry way.

Next day, knocks on the same php.ini door, hey no door number (SMTP, smtp_port and sendmail_from not filled in), new tenant tells him to try the gym, looks '''up sendmail_path''', its found data is taken a receipt issued, PHP mail is happy and again proceeds on its merry way.

These are defaults settings for php.ini, at a first glance you would think there are two-separate sections one specific to Windows and the other for Unix, in reality '''they are two options''' you can use on Windows.

Its this option we use for linking '''Fake sendmail'''  

Open the file '''php.ini''' located in folder '''*\Uniform Server\udrive\usr\local\php''' search for this section ['''mail function'''] (starts around line 612)

Below I have listed three possible configurations the first is really a reference it does not use authentication and produces a similar result to the solution outlined on the previous page. To make it easier to read I have removed all comments.

If you have problems uncomment the lines '''error_logfile''' and '''debug_logfile''' so you can trace what went wrong (Note: these files will be created in folder *\Uniform Server\udrive\usr\local\sendmail).

There is no need to enter any data into the text boxes just click on '''Send''' you will receive this message:

Login to your mail account and check you received the message.

To check your ISP relays to other SMTP servers. Send an email to a friend or to another account you own, make sure your ISP hosts neither.

Run the test page (<nowiki>http://localhost/mail.html</nowiki>) this time you will need to fill in the text boxes.

Confirm that the emails are received, that completes the tests.

In the real world things never run that smoothly something always throws a spanner in the works. If the above fails use this checklist to see it either resolves the problem or points to where the problem is:

I have shown two solutions to get you up and running with PHP’s mail function. The first is the easier of the two to implement however the second offers more power if you need portability and or authentication.

I like alternatives why not install hMailServer its worth a look, covered in this [[SSL Part 2: PHP mail function |new project]]. one minor drawback its not a portable solution.