Resolved Problem setting up identical POP 3 accounts in Thunderbird version 13.0.1

I’m trying to configure two computers to receive the same messages. One computer is a XP Pro Desktop and one is a Laptop running Windows 7 Home edition. Both are using Thunderbird 13.0.1 & pointing to my Gmail account.

Thunderbirds options setting on both of the computers are configured identical and checked to leave messages on the server.

Sometimes both computers are on and running Thunderbird at the same time using the same home router.

My Gmail setting on the web is set to POP 3 not IMAP.

I also have 2 additional POP3 emails accounts configured in Thunderbird on the Desktop computer & will configure the laptop the same after figuring out the correct procedure..

The laptop was just setup a few days ago and I thought that it would download all my messages still showing on the Gmail account web site. It didn’t and now I only receive new messages on one of the computers, I assume the first computer to query the mail server gets the message.

I experimented by enabling the IMAP option on webs Gmail setting and reconfigured Thunderbird ports and inbound mail server to IMAP@gmail.com but no joy.. And I also received errors when trying to send test mail, so now both computers are reset to POP 3 setting.

I really don’t want to removed my Desktops POP 3 account and lose all my folders & messages just to start fresh account using IMAP.


Would it help if I used one of my other emails accounts default outgoing smtp server as the "default" server to receive my Gmail messages on one of the computers?

I assume I could try creating a new IMAP account on both computers then test to see if messages will appear on both no matter who’s on first, then move my folders/messages from the POP 3 account before deleting it, but curious as to if it’s the best method.

Can both POP 3 and IMAP work in 3 different accounts on Thunderbird at the same time?

Is what I’m trying to do not possible and I’m just spinning my wheels?

Another problem is exporting and importing address books from Gmail.. Earlier versions of Thunderbird were so much easier… Can I just copy the file "abook.mab" from my desktops "user" profile to the new laptop Thunderbird "user" profile?

Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

My Gmail account is set this way. The server is: imap.googlemail.com Port=993.
I, never, tried to set up as POP3, but is your server set up correctly?
As for sending, I have been using my default smtp, which is not Google's, but my ISP's.

 

Westside thanks for the reply..

I probably used imap@gmail.com, big error on my part. Your input is what I should have used. That explains my sending problem.. Thanks..

Looking further I found these instructions and it appears to address my problem.

It stated that gmail will only be downloaded one time to the 1st client using pop 3. That is the problem I was experiencing. Will try this and if successful will close this post.

Using POP on multiple clients or mobile devices

What is 'recent mode?'

If you're accessing Gmail on multiple clients through POP, Gmail's 'recent mode' makes sure that all messages are made available to each client, rather than only to the first client to access new mail.

Recent mode fetches the last 30 days of mail, regardless of whether it's been sent to another POP1 client already.

Setting up 'recent mode'

In your POP client settings, replace 'username@gmail.com' in the 'Username' or 'Email' field with 'recent:username@gmail.com'

Once you enable recent mode, please be sure to configure your POP client to leave messages on the server.

http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=47948&topic=1668962&ctx=topic

 

Ok adding "recent:" to my username did the trick.. Now have all messages on the laptop.. Still need to migrate the contacts.. and change my desktop username.

 

Update... Changed my Desktop username" and now all messages appear on both computers. Was able to copy the file “abook.mab” & "history.mab" from my desktops “user” profile to the new laptop Thunderbird “user” profile. I had 3 other address books that I exported as *.LDIF instead of *.cvs format. When I tried importing a address book as a *.cvs file the address book didn't appear as it should have. See help file below..

Moving address books to another profile

The two default address books ( "abook.mab" and "history.mab ") can be copied directly from one profile folder to another. (This includes copying them from a Mozilla Suite profile or Netscape 7 profile to a Thunderbird profile.) Thunderbird will automatically recognize these address books when it starts up and you will be able to use them right away.

Other address books (such as "abook-1.mab ") can not be copied from profile to profile in this way. To move these from one profile to another, you should first "export" each address book as as LDIF file and then "import" each address book into the other profile. To export an address book:

In the Address Book window, select the address book that you want to export.
Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export... ".
Enter a name for the address book, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, choose where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_address_books_between_profiles


Now if I can just figure out how to not send myself a copy of any email I send out all would be ok.. Can't seem to find the correct option for that. Must be there somewhere... anybody got any thoughts?

 

Greetings, I don't know exactly what you mean.....

Do you mean that you are getting a COPY of every email you send from ALL/ANY email accounts or just from ONE account in particular...

BCC settings are in each accounts "Settings" - "Copies and Folders "

A little more detail whould help.

regards:captjld

 

This problem happens when I send from my Thunderbird Gmail profile. Any messages sent from other accounts work as they should.

I'm using one of my other emails smtp server as the default & imap is not enabled in the web based Gmail.

When I compose a email in Thunderbird from my Gmail profile and send that email to anyone (excluding myself), everyone I included in the To: will receive the email.

I also will receive that same email showing my Gmail address as the originator along with whom I sent it to.

My address is not among the list of address shown in the "To:" list.

I have checked all options in Thunderbird & the web based Gmail and find nothing checked to "Bcc" myself.

At one time I thought I saw a option in the web based Gmail to "Send myself a copy of composed email" but now can't find any reference to that option... so perhaps I was seeing things... odder things have happened and Murphy's rules always apply...

Maybe it has something to do with the 'recent mode' option I just enabled..

 

Greetings again,

Sorry but I am confused.....

.????

Do you mean from the GMAIL "ACCOUNT" within the THUNDERBIRD Profile, or do you mean from some other Profile that is set up someplace else ?

If you are talking about from within THUNDERBIRD ? maybe we can figure it out, IF you are talking about from someplace else (GMAIL WEBMAIL ???) don't think I can help any.

regards:captjldd

 

Yes were talking about the Gmail account in Thunderbird.. When I referenced the term 'Gmail profile' I meant it as 1 of my 3 different email accounts set up in Thunderbird.

 

Thanks, Very Odd indeed....

MY settup:
TB 13.0.1

GMAIL account
server settings:
POP Mail Servername =pop.gmail.com
Default set outgoing server = mail.mchsi.com

If I send from within TB (Gmail account ) NO COPY SENT TO TB GMAIL INBOX

If I send FROM GMAIL WEB MAIL ( Thru Browser ) I then get a COPY of the sent email in TB Gmail account inbox ( just like you said.....) very odd indeed....

Going to have to look a little deeper.

I seem to recall reading that this is HOW it works - and you have to mess with WEB mail settings.....I'll keep looking

regard:captjldd


EDIT

Yep - that looks like that is the way it works - do a "google" for:

"Gmail sent web mail copy pop inbox "

You will get alot of info regarding this "feature "

 

Just to be clear...

TB Setup matches..


If I send from within TB (Gmail account ) I DO GET A COPY SENT TO MY TB GMAIL INBOX.

If I send FROM GMAIL WEB MAIL ( Thru Browser ) I also get a COPY of the sent email in my TB Gmail account inbox. (always happened that way, I consider it the norm when sending from the web based email).

In both cases... a unsolicited 'copy of the email' arrives in my TB Gmail account Inbox without my Gmail address showing in the 'To: field'. ( As if it was sent Bcc from the web based email).

My main concern here is try to 'option out' the unsolicited copy that is sent to my TB Gmails Inbox when I send emails from TB Gmail account. Reason being is that TB has already placed a copy of the email in my TB 'Sent' folder by default.

 

Greetings again:

From almost everything I can find, this behavior (copy to inbox) is the nature of the POP beast...... someplace I read that the use of the "recent mode" may also effected things.

take a look at:google results


Sorry that I could not be more help


regards:captjldd

 

Captjlddavis.... Thanks for the assist..

I agree it seems to be the "nature of the POP beast "...... But only when one sends a email from their Web based Gmail account.

From what I've been reading all the discussions involve people sending from their Web based Gmail account.

I have not viewed any posts involving people using the 'Recent: Mode' and sending from their TB POP 3 Gmail account. Maybe the same holds true and its the "nature of the POP beast "... But it really is a PAIN IN THE BUTT.

I was hoping to insert a 'unique character' in all the emails I send from my TB Gmail account. Then possibly build a filter that would only filter whats being sent to my TB Gmails Inbox & then vie that filter move or delete the unsolicited copy that Gmail sends me to the trash...

BUT I can't seem find a option in Thunderbird to build a filter... Another Pain in the Butt..

Even if TB had a way to build a filter I'm not sure how it would work seeing that I have 3 different pop 3 email accounts in TB. Who's know if TB filtering options would be that detailed just to zero in on only the TB POP 3 Gmail account & not the other two POP 3 accounts Inbox.. (Sometimes I do send myself a email from one account to the another..)

Now I wonder if there a way to use the Web based Gmail to filter what it is sending to my Gmail address (Bcc or otherwise). But since that operation is from gmail to gmail any filters might not even kick in because its all internal communications to gmail and maybe filters only kick in when data is received from other sources.. but what do I know.. its all what if's to me...

Also looking into sending this problem to someone in the Mozilla support community. (but who or what area of Mozilla tech support? All I find is their forum. )

BTW the first link didn't work but I did a search from Google Groups using answer 16418 and found the associated links. (looks like you edited the links out while this reply was being written) thanks again..

 

Sorry that the link did not work - another one of those things that are the "nature of the Beast" (BBS feature)

As to "filter" in TB -
1. Filters seem to be on a account by account basis.
2. Select the account that you want to "filter "
(your TB - Gmail account)
3. Select "Tools "
4 Follow instructions and build filter.


Seems like a lot of trouble - Just don't send anything from Web Gmail........

Hope that helps

regards:captjldd

 

Ok..now I see where to build the filter... MY ERROR.. I was focusing only in the Tools / Options section in TB.. Thanks for the pointer..

I built a filter and it works just fine.. so problem solved... as long as I remember to add the 'unique character' when sending email from my Gmail account in TB.

As time permits I'll try the filter method from the Web based Gmail to see if the problem can be stopped at the source.

thanks again..

 

Follow up question..

Is there a way using config editor in TB to insert automatically my 'unique characters' as the 1st two characters in the 'Subject Area' each time I compose a new email? I'm thinking as in changing the default template TB uses when you hit the 'Write' button.

 

This horse is pretty much dead, if not dead then on life support.......

I have no idea what is going on with your configurations........

On my set up, the only time I have any problem is when I SEND FROM .....GMAIL WEBMAIL..... I then get a copy in the TB GMAIL inbox.

I can set up a filter on the TB GMAIL account that will filter the following:

1. If the " From" field "contains" = MY GMAIL ACCOUNT.....(Gmail account name....)

and

2. If the "To or Cc" field "doesn't contain" my TB GMAIL account name

then

MOVE message to "Sent on (TB Gmail ) folder... "

IF message is addressed Bcc to Gmail account it will be in the TB gmail inbox.......

I have no clue what the so called "Recent;mode" is or how to use it or what effect if any it has.....

My advice is to "live with it "

regards:captjldd

 

captjlddavis....

Thanks for your assist, your suggestions mostly solved all my issues after I applied the "Recent mode" to my TB Gmail account setting on both computers..

As to your closing statement.. Consider this... If everyone chose a "live with it attitude" we would stagnate and self-destruct over time.

I referenced this in Post # 3. It was the main fix addressing my question.

Thanks again for your assist...