Macintosh

[wshelton59]

Anyone have any solutions for email attachments being converted to winmail.dat files?  I can view them correctly on the Comcast/Xfinity webmail site, but when downloaded (iMac, iPad2, and iPhone) they are converted to winmail.dat files and are unusable.  Attachments view correctly in Windows Live (Hotmail) and iCloud emails, so I assume Comcast uses a Microsoft Exchange server that converts the format (rich text vs. plain text or html).

Thanks 

[Baric]

Someone is sending your messages from Outlook as Rich Text Format, which didn't always translate well to other platforms in times past, especially if you are using an OLD email client.  However, current clients like the iPad and iPhone mail apps handle this fine (never had an issue here), as does the Mac Mail client in 10.6 and 10.7 (I can't confirm earlier versions, I no longer run them).  If someone is using an old moldy version of Outlook, it might cause trouble.  Where are these messages coming from?  Work arounds include making sure the message was sent as plain text (always the best way to send email), make sure your receving client is a recent version, etc.

[wshelton59]

I'm sending the emails in plain text to myself from work.  It's really odd... I can view the attachments fine on the Comcast email web site, but when it downloads to my devices (iPad2, iPhone 4S, and iMac) the attachments are converted to winmail.dat files.  If I send to same emails to my .live or .me email accounts, the emails arrive to my devices with the attachments intact.  I suppose the answer is to use those accounts as my primary.

[BethKatz]

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wshelton59 wrote:

I'm sending the emails in plain text to myself from work.  It's really odd... I can view the attachments fine on the Comcast email web site, but when it downloads to my devices (iPad2, iPhone 4S, and iMac) the attachments are converted to winmail.dat files.  If I send to same emails to my .live or .me email accounts, the emails arrive to my devices with the attachments intact.  I suppose the answer is to use those accounts as my primary.

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Attachments are added in various ways. To me, it sounds like you might need to experiment with how you are adding the attachments at work. For example, Mac Mail has a "send Windows friendly attachments" setting. Even though I know I can drag-and-drop attachment's into Mac Mail, I usually use the attachment button. 

You might read this explanation of how to avoid the winmail.dat problem:

http://email.about.com/od/outlooktips/qt/Prevent_Winmail_dat_Attachments_from_Being_Sent_in_Outlook....

[rprago]

I found a solution online you can try. From what I've read, it appears the problem is related to Comcast's recent server upgrades. Heres the fix: Ask the sender, who's probably using Outlook or Entourage, to delete any contact info they have for you, restart Outlook and create a new card. Should take care of it.