SMTP email problem in 1.7 after pw update

[ChrisB257]

I'll try and be as brief as possible ---

Been running 1.7 for a year or so. last update was to 1.7.5 and all was functioning OK. Tried to update to 1.7.6 - disaster! Had to roll back to 1.7.5. Function was OK. (Have heard others have had problems with latest update).

Host reckoned password changes advisable so changed admin pw - no problem. Then update for password in our SMTP - trouble!

Bear in mind the email had been fine for ages even after and including a spell after roll back. Same email within my Thunderbird is all OK in all directions after new pw. After password change in SMTP section of admin - got errors after testing from same page - not working. Apart from password update all other parameters were same as before when it was working.

Here's something odd - new pw is 8 chrs (applied by copy and paste) but, after a save the pw field shows as being 13 chrs?  What?!

Any thoughts or advice more than welcome, as right now customers won't be getting order confirmation.