Netscape 7.1 / Mozilla 1.x - Lost Mail

You've opened Netscape/Mozilla Mail & Newsgroups, and are prompted to set up a Mail Account, as if this is a new install.

The Fix:

If you have a backup of your prefs.js file, then:
Close Netscape/Mozilla, and Quick Launch
Open Windows Explorer
Navigate to your salted (*.slt) Folder
See: Profiles Folder Location

Rename the existing prefs.js file to BADprefs.js
Copy the prefs.js file from your backup to the current salted (*.slt) folder. This will resolve the problem.

If you have no backup of the prefs.js file, then try this:

Go ahead and set up a new Mail Account at the Mail Wizard prompt
Next: Close Netscape/Mozilla, and Quick Launch
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your Mail Account Folder
Your Mail Accounts will be similar to:
mail.accountname.net
mail.accountname-1.net, etc.

Open the Inbox in each of these accounts in order to determine which of the accounts contain your mail.
Copy the path to the mail account folder containing your mail
E.G., C:\......\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\username\*.slt\Mail\mail.accountname.net
To avoid a typo: with the Mail Account folder open (the folder which contains your mail) copy the "Address" field at the top of the Windows Explorer window.

See this Screen Shot for Address field location.

Open Netscape/Mozilla Mail
Click on: Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings
In the right panel, scroll to the bottom of the page.
In the "Local directory" field, paste the path to the mail account folder containing your mail, which you just copied, in Windows Explorer.

Next:
In the left pane highlight "Local Folders "
In the right pane select: View settings for this account
Ensure that the "Local directory" path points to the correct folder, the one which contains your Mail, as outlined above:
C:\......\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\username\*.slt\Mail\Local Folders

Close Netscape/Mozilla, then reopen
Your Mail should be intact.

I would also suggest disabling Quick Launch, as many users report that disabling the feature stopped the Lost Mail issue. This may or may not work for your system.

If none of the above solve your problem, then Create a new Profile.

Ramona

 

Wow, I hope you make this a sticky. Between reading this and the thread I found on a search for "empty email" I have fixed all my problems and I didn't even have to post a question. Thanks Ramona, I owe you one dear!

 

Welcome to the Forum, WindsorFox!

Hi WindsorFox,

I'm delighted to know that the solution worked for you! It will remain as a "Sticky" for some time...

Ramona

 

Lost mail

Hi,

I have encountered the same problem with lost mail yesterday on 7.0.
I closed all applications and shutdown the PC. Today Messenger is
asking me to create a new profile. All my e-mail's are stored in
Profile directory so I could see it but I haven't done a copy of prefs.js
so I will probably have to recreate a new profile and copy old e-mails.
Do You know what file is holding e-mail filters configurations ?
So I can copy it from old directory to new profile ?

cheers
ralf

 

Welcome to the Forum, ralf!

Hi ralf,

The Mail Filter file is rules.dat. You might take a look at this page:
Create a New Profile.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,

I tried what you suggested and now have all of the inbox files on the screen BUT when I click on a file, nothing appears. I know that there are loads of content in each file but they are not displayed. I am using Netscape 7.1 with no prefs.js backup

How does one disable Quick Launch?

Thanks for the help

 

Welcome to the Forum, bigdov!

bigdov,

Open Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings

Check the "Local directory" field at the bottom of the page. Is the path to your Mail Account folder correct? If not, then point it to the correct location.

Let us know if this corrects the problem.

To disable Quick Launch:
Edit | Preferences | Advanced
Remove the tick beside Quick Launch to disable the feature


Ramona