Ramona-- I really need your help - Resolved

vegaspat · 24th September 2004

First I would like to say that I just moved this week and of course, can not find any of my records, etc.

After I finally found all of my PC equipment I had no problems logging on as usual with Netscape 7.2.

Last night after cleaning out my mailbox I logged out and at that point everything was fine.

This morning I logged on and everything was still fine. I cleaned out the junk mail and went to retrieve my credit card info. In the middle of that process I received a message that Netscape had encountered an error and needed to shut down. I did that, waited a minute and attempted to log back on. Now I keep getting screens about my profile, about registering for Netscape, wanting info my server info, etc. I used the XP System Restore and went back several days and I can get nothing.

I am desperate to get to my various accounts but there is now nothing in Password Manager and my original Home Page will not come up. All my bookmarks are gone and I am simply losing my mind.

I can get NONE of my saved and valuable e-mails such as my online orders, etc.

Is all of my original stuff gone? Can you help me retrieve it with "simple" instructions.

Can you copy your response to my other e-mail account in the event I can't get back here?

Please excuse all grammar and spelling errors.

**Westside** · 24th September 2004

Hi, I never had to use the system Restore, but I would expect that it would send you back enough that WinXP has no idea that there was a Netscape. Even if you have a workinbg profile, you would not be linked to the old info.
My guess is that something went wrong if you have a previous Netscape version, especially if the previous version was still present when the new one was installed. As I said, I have no experience with System Restore. If all the new stuff is removed from the comp[uter, you are out of luck. If only the registry was set back, then all the files are present, as Ramona spake
I will send you a link to your e-mail address, as well.

**Ramona** · 24th September 2004

Hi vegaspat,

Like Westside, I know nothing of the System Restore in XP. What you were seeing, the Registration Window, etc., is what happens when Netscape can't find the Profile. When you had to shut down because of the error, Netscape was unable to write to the prefs.js file, and Netscape lost its way to your Profile.

Have you looked here:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles
NOTE: These files are hidden by default.
To see hidden files:
1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options
2. Click the View tab
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders
4. Disable "Hide File Extensions for Known Files."
5. Click OK.

In the *.slt folder do you see a Mail folder? Open that folder, then open the mail account folder, and then open the Inbox file (with no MSF extension). Can you see any messages?

Also in the *.slt folder does the bookmarks.html contain data or is it 0 KB?
Same for abook.mab?

Unless the restore function removed this information, your Profile should be intact.

Ramona

P.S. I removed your email address, as I don't want it harvested by spammers.

vegaspat · 25th September 2004

Well, I've checked the *.slt folder and what is there is 0 KB. I'm just sick.

System Restore doesn't touch e-mail, etc. ( I think ) I only went back to the
20th and figured it would restore all my settings for that day. I guess I didn't really understand and thought it would put my files back to what they were on that day.

I've been able to get back on line using 7.2 and am receiving e-mail, but nothing from the past which is what I need. I have a folder with online orders, faxes I had received and as you well know many things I needed to save.

If I can locate the discs that I "think" I saved some of my personal stuff on, such as the entire Mozilla folder can I just copy it back to the *.slt folder?

And something I think I have my bookmarks.

I have encountered that error message before but never lost my entire Netscape settings. I was just on a familiar site and then the world fell apart. <G>

Right before I moved I purchased an external hard drive and when I found it this morning I was hoping I had backed up the Mozilla folder. Guess I didn't.

Everything looks different since I've been able to get back on line.

Thanks for your help as well as Westside.

If I do find the disc should I delete the present *.slt folder before copying what I am hoping I have?

I was so hoping that you knew a secret place those old folders were hiding. My Password Manager and Themes are all gone also.

You don't use XP?

**Ramona** · 25th September 2004

vegaspat,

No, I don't run XP, I run Windows 98SE. The only secret place, would be if you have not disabled all the settings in XP for hiding Folders. If your Profile isn't in the: C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles folder, then I have to assume that it is gone.

If you find that you do have the Mozilla folder backed up somewhere, then what you would do is remove the entire Mozilla folder from:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data folder

Then move in the Mozilla folder from Netscape 7.1 to the Application Data folder. Once you see that all is working then, and only then, you can delete anything you don't need. Then backup your entire Profiles folder.

Ramona

vegaspat · 25th September 2004

Thanks.

Now is find where I might have packed the stuff. What a nightmare this whole thing has been.

**Westside** · 25th September 2004

Yes, I have WinXP, and I found out, in the middle of your original message that:
you "used the XP System Restore". I never used it, and I would use it only as a last resort.
I can think of only one thing. Do a search for bookmarks.html (mail and bookmarks are in the same .slt folder, but make sure that you select more advanced options, to include Hidden Files and Folders. The Mozilla|Profiles|.slt folders are hidden in WinXP.
The mail could be searched for Mail if you know the exact name of your account.
It could be something like pop.xxxx.com or mail.xxxx.com

But, it was my understanding that system restore would do more than removing the registry items. But, it seems that you can restore the new stop according to this However, I don't know how many things you changed.
It should not be a nightmare.

vegaspat · 25th September 2004

Well, I thought System Restore would give me back my Netscape settings. Things just went from bad to worse and with me just moving it was a total nightmare. I found an old backup for Netscape (May) and took a chance. IF that caused a problem I was going to just re-install. Right now I have part of my settings back and as soon as I calm down I am going to use that external hard drive to back up every few days.

Thanks for all the help. Can't believe how much I depend on this silly box!!

**Westside** · 26th September 2004

I have seen that the more steps are taken to fix a problem, the less likely that it is going to work. In Ramona's Netscape solutions, there is a list of files which should be backed up.

**Ramona** · 26th September 2004

vegaspat,

You might also want to take a look at this MSKB re: System Restore
System Restore FAQ. This will help you better understand the function of this component.

A friend just sent me this link, as he is new to Windows XP, and learning the functions of the XP components. I thought this would also be valuable to you.

Almost forgot to add, that even MS says this:

Quote:

While system data contained in restore points are available to restore to for only a limited period (restore points older than 90 days are deleted by default), backups made by the Backup Utility can be recovered at any time.

I don't know anything about the Backup Utility, but if I were you I would keep making frequent backups on your external HDD. Mine came with software that makes automatic backups on specific days/time. I also do a complete system restore with Ghost once a month.

Ramona

vegaspat · 27th September 2004

Thanks for the time you folks spent helping me. With the May backup, at least some of my settings were there.

I did lose some important e-mails on orders, etc.

I will now make sure I have a recent back up at all times.

James · 27th September 2004

Hi

I've used System Restore a few times... sometimes for good and sometimes not so good. When things do not turn out as you had hoped, you can reverse System Restore. Simply go back to System Restore and tell it to Undo the last restore. It will restore things to the previous configurations. That may replace what was lost.

vegaspat · 28th September 2004

I did reverse it once. Guess it was too late for Netscape.

I am going right now to back up a few important things with the external hard drive I recently purchased and did not use right away.

I didn't get to read the links that others suggested yet. Going to do that also. I may have the wrong interpretaion of System Restore.

Thanks