I used this function succesfully internally without using a username and password but now that the website is being hosted outside the network i need to specify a username and password to connect to the mail server. can someone tell me how to incorporate this in my code. I know you need to set it in the web.config file but I am unable to tie that into the function below.   I am not familar with the events or methods that use the setting in teh web.config can someone help me with this? thanks.

Function:

'procedure that passes a string through the configured mail server
Dim mailServerName As String = "mail.domain.com"
Dim message As MailMessage = New MailMessage(txtEmail.Text, "cluce@domain.com", "Technical Support Form", body)
Dim mailClient As SmtpClient = New SmtpClient
mailClient.Host = mailServerName
mailClient.Send(message)
message.Dispose()
End Sub

web.config

<system.net>
<mailSettings>
<smtp from=cluce@domain.com>
<network host="mail.domain.org" password="password" userName="username" />
</smtp>
</mailSettings>
</system.net>

 If you have the data correct in your web.config file, all you need to do is comment out mail.client.Host = mailServerName.  The settings specified in the config file will automatically be loaded when you create a new SmtpClient.

http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2005/12/10/432854.aspx 

yes, I believe I have my web.config configured properly.  So all I do is this and my smtp settings should be recognized. 

Function:

'procedure that passes a string through the configured mail server

Dim message As MailMessage = New MailMessage(txtEmail.Text, "cluce@domain.com", "Technical Support Form", body)
Dim mailClient As SmtpClient = New SmtpClient

mailClient.Send(message)
message.Dispose()
End Sub

'sends string through email

Dim body As String

 Yes, that'll do.

yeah, thanks. I just tested it. unfortunatley the external mail server still dont work but thats has nothing to do with my code because this works with our internal mail server just fine.