please help in Costa Rica..windows default mail client

having problems with "Windows Mail"...I'd like to know how to remove it...that way I can use my regular gmail..when I hit a "contact link" in any website the "Windows mail" box opens and tells me "the default mail client not properly installed"...this is the message I receive when I try to send the mail...
The host 'gmail' could not be found. Please verify that you have entered the server name correctly.
Subject 'Trailer Wanted - $1 (Montezuma - MalPais, Nicoya Peninsula)', Account: 'gmail', Server: 'gmail', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 11001, Error Number: 0x800CCC0D

Thanks for helping....Laura

Hi blyorkie and welcome to the Vista forums.

First you have to activate pop/imap in the settings of your account on gmail.com
Then you have to configure your account as follows:
Server
pop3: pop.gmail.com
SMTP: smtp.gmail.com
Tick: server needs authentication

Advanced
SMTP: port 25 or 465
POP3: port 995
Tick for both "ssl connection"

I think that will do it.