Go to http://www.sqldev.net/xp/xpsmtp.htm for a SQL Mail alternative. I am using SQL Mail on several servers. I haven't had problems getting it configured -- but then we are on Exchange. But, I find that SQL Mail is not always reliable. If the Exchange server goes down for maintenance, I sometimes have to reboot the SQL Server to get SQL Mail working again.
Aunt Kathi Data Platform MVP
Author of Expert T-SQL Window Functions
Simple-Talk Editor