My domain registrar will not let my adjust the MX record of my domain unless I purchase web hosting from them.

If I understand correctly, the DNS settings point your domain to the appropriate WEB SERVER, BUT the MX record points it to the appropriate MAIL SERVER??? In my case, I want them to be the same company/server.

Assuming that this is how it works, it would seem that they are making me purchase a feature I don't want (web hosting), to get the feature that I do want (modifying the MX record). IOW, if I have my web hosting with them, why would I get the MAIL to go somewhere else?

-Ryan

You can purchase web hosting from most places and change MX Records, whether it be a shared or reseller account both should allow the changes. Just change your domain to the web hosts name servers.

Let me clarify my question:

If I register a domain, and adjust ONLY the DOMAIN NAME SERVERS to point to my webhost, all mail delivered to my domain will be handled by my webhost WITHOUT modifying the MX RECORD?

Modifying the MX RECORD would just allow me to route the mail to a location seperate from my web host?

Thanks,

Ryan

Yes that is correct you modify the MX record if you want to use another mail server