SMTP settings in PHP 5.6.11

Has anything changed in PHP 5.6.11 to make all my SMTP settings not working?

I was able to set the SMTP settings in Joomla but since upgrading the 
PHP to 5.6.11, nothing is working.  It says this:


<------------------------------------------------------------------------->


        Notice

SMTP connect() failed.

Reminder failed: Failed sending email.

<------------------------------------------------------------------------->

I have changed absolutely nothing in Joomla php codes.  All I have done 
is upgrade the windows php binaries and also using it as binary CGI as 
opposed to using php as a module.  Do you think it could be the change 
from binary CGI to module settings might be the problem?

Just wondered.