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Thread ID: 44449 2004-04-19 10:59:00 Copying old thunderbird profile to new install of windows KingWave (5517) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
230539 2004-04-19 10:59:00 Hi,

I'm having an absolute dog of a time trying to copy my old thunderbird profile from a backup into a new install of windows 98.

I'm trying to get thunderbird to load all my previous mail folders and old emails etc. I managed to copy the whole thunderbird folder from C:\Win98\Application data\thunderbird (where the profiles are stored). I did that before the re-install.

I've read the FAQ on how you're supposed to do it, but when I do that, it detects a corrupt address book, makes a backup, and then just sits there endlessly trying to "import mail" or something.

Curse that useless program netsonic3, if it weren't for that killing my entire internet, I wouldn't be here in the first place.

Anyone got any ideas on how to do this properly? TIA
KingWave (5517)
230540 2004-04-20 03:32:00 Anyone got any ideas? PoWa (203)
230541 2004-04-20 07:02:00 Your actual profile data is kept in:
Application Data/thunderbird/default/RAND/

RAND is a directory with a random name. It will be different each time you install thunderbird. It will look something like: /ii1z1j5y.slt/
The use of a randomly named directory is what usually causes a problem (it is done to improve security, not just to piss you off).

Here is how I restore my thunderbird (or mozilla or firefox) profile:

1) If you haven't already, run thunderbird so it will create a new default profile.
2) From your backup, copy the contents of thunderbird/default/RAND/ into the new Application Data/thunderbird/default/RAND/. Overwrite any files if it prompts you.
3) Fire up thunderbird.
bmason (508)
230542 2004-04-20 09:40:00 Yeah thanks bmason. I have done that, but as soon as I reload thunderbird, it just sits there saying "Building summary file for inbox..." and doesn't do anything at all. :( KingWave (5517)
230543 2004-04-20 12:09:00 It might pay to delete the existing default profile then follow the steps above to make sure you are starting with a clean, working profile. bmason (508)
230544 2004-04-20 13:28:00 Thanks, yeah I've deleted the whole thunderbird profile directory several times and re-tried. Even edited the .jrs file. I don't know what gives.

I'll try the thunderbird support forums as well.
KingWave (5517)
230545 2004-04-20 14:10:00 One other thought, check the permissions (and ownership if relevent) on the files you restored. If you copied them from a CD they will be readonly. bmason (508)
230546 2004-04-20 14:59:00 Ahh, a superb point. Will check now. KingWave (5517)
230547 2004-04-20 15:48:00 Ahh thats fixed it bmason! :) :)

The files were all read only because I had them on cd! Thunderbird couldnt write to the read only files .

So now all my old mail is back, oh back in business! Also I can get my favourites saving properly in firefox again . (It wasn't letting me add new favourites cos I backed up the bookmarks . html file as well) .

Thanks heaps, your a legend! Go to the top of the class :)
KingWave (5517)
230548 2005-04-08 03:36:00 Your actual profile data is kept in:
Application Data/thunderbird/default/RAND/

RAND is a directory with a random name. It will be different each time you install thunderbird. It will look something like: /ii1z1j5y.slt/
The use of a randomly named directory is what usually causes a problem (it is done to improve security, not just to piss you off).

Here is how I restore my thunderbird (or mozilla or firefox) profile:

1) If you haven't already, run thunderbird so it will create a new default profile.
2) From your backup, copy the contents of thunderbird/default/RAND/ into the new Application Data/thunderbird/default/RAND/. Overwrite any files if it prompts you.
3) Fire up thunderbird.

well put BM!
I'm in the same boat as KW
cheers
Pete
awe look at that ...an old thread fired up :)
Organicpete (133)
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