New computer, want to switch to Thunderbird and Firefox

Auntpolly · 26th October 2006

Ramona,
You have saved me many times with this forum so I came right here to see what to do.
I am getting a new computer, going from Win 98SE, to XP. Currently using Netscape 7.2. I was just going to install that on my new computer again (comfort thing), when I checked out this forum and read your advise to change to Firefox/Thunderbird due to security problems with NS.
So, what is the safest way to migrate the profile into FF/TB?
Should I install Firefox first, then Thunderbird? Do they each give an export option? Since I am moving the profile from one computer to another, what files do I back up for transfer? The entire Mozilla/Profiles/username/****.slt folder? Where do I place this folder in the new computer?
Any advise is greatly appreciated.

**Ramona** · 26th October 2006

Hi Aunt Polly,

Congrats on the new PC, and I do hope you enjoy it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuntPolly

So, what is the safest way to migrate the profile into FF/TB?

Safe = backup which you are planning on doing.

If you want easy, then you can install Netscape 7.2 on the new PC. Open your backup media on the new PC, and place the Profiles folder from the old PC in a temporary folder on the new PC.

Since you are moving a Netscape 7.2 Profile, then all that's necessary is to copy the Profiles folder to the Mozilla folder on the new PC, replacing the existing Profiles folder. If you did backup on CD, then unzip the Profiles.zip file to the Firefox folder located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox

NOTE: The above files are hidden by default in Windows XP
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.

To search for files in the Application Data folder, go to Start | Search.
Under More Advanced Options select Search system folders, Search
Hidden Files and folders, and Search subfolders.
---

Next:
Install Firefox
You will be given an option to migrate the 7.2 Profile: Screen Shot
It's a piece of cake, trust me...

Do the same with Thunderbird, and your Netscape 7.2 Mail will be automatically migrated.

Now, if you prefer NOT installing Netscape 7.2, you can go ahead and install both Firefox and Thunderbird. Then copy individual files to the new Profiles, from the Netscape 7.2 backup. If you want to do this, let us know.

Auntpolly · 26th October 2006

Thanks Ramona. I knew I could count on you!

Once again you have saved me.
I had read through the forum and other sites and was confused on exactly what to do. Move, copy, profile.ini, etc. I just wasn't sure of the easiest or best way to do it. Now I know.
Hopefully my son will get the new computer up and running soon, (he is building it and ran into a glitch last night), and can try the new Firefox and Thunderbird.
Now do you recommend the new 2.0 version of Firefox or install 1.5.0.7 for now to be sure all the glitches are out of the new FF version?

Auntpolly · 26th October 2006

Okay. Let's make sure I have this right.
I will install NS 7.2 on new computer, probably in D://Program Files.
Then move my NS profile to new computer in a temporary folder.
Do I then open NS and set it up like I am going to use NS? Or just move on to the next step and install Firefox? (I can't remember how NS installed and what it asked when I did it ages ago).
I believe my son is setting up numerous partitions for me and the path may change from old puter to new. Right now profile is in C: //Windows/Application data/Mozilla/Profile, etc
New computer Netscape and FF/TB may be in D or E or F, etc.
I know you only get one chance with this migrating so want to do it correctly!
Thanks
Sue

**Ramona** · 27th October 2006

Sue,

I highly recommend Version 2.0 of Firefox, and Thunderbird is still Version 1.5.0.7.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuntPolly

I will install NS 7.2 on new computer, probably in D://Program Files. Then move my NS profile to new computer in a temporary folder. Do I then open NS and set it up like I am going to use NS? Or just move on to the next step and install Firefox? (I can't remember how NS installed and what it asked when I did it ages ago).

You've got it right:
1. install Netscape 7.2 on new PC, but don't set up anything in the Profile, just exit out of any windows that comes up, and don't start Netscape.

2. Now install Firefox
Copy the Profiles folder from old PC, and paste it into the Firefox folder here:
D,E,or F:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox

Windows will ask if you wish to replace the existing folder. Answer YES
You won't need to copy the old PC Profiles folder to a temporary folder. You can copy it directly to the Firefox folder.

Quote:

I know you only get one chance with this migrating so want to do it correctly!

There is a way around the migration:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Migrate_fr...to_Thunderbird

1. If you "missed your chance" to import your Mozilla or Netscape profile via the Import Wizard and you would like to do so later, you can bring up the Import Wizard again by exiting Thunderbird, using the Thunderbird Profile Manager to delete all of the profiles listed, exiting the Profile Manager, and then launching Thunderbird again.

Warning: When deleting a profile, do not use the "Delete Files" option if you created the profile by choosing your own folder location. Data loss can occur if the chosen folder already contained data, so use the "Don't Delete Files" option instead.

2. If that fails to bring up the Import Wizard, or if you don't wish to use the Profile Manager, exit Thunderbird and then rename the "Thunderbird" folder that contains the "Profiles" subfolder and the "profiles.ini" "pluginreg.dat" and "registry.dat" files (for example, in Windows XP, rename the C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\ "Thunderbird" folder) and then launch Thunderbird.
---

The first option doesn't work for me in Windows 98, but it may for you. The second option worked on Windows 98.

Let us know if you have more questions...

Auntpolly · 27th October 2006

Ramona I just love you! If only there was a forum like this for every problem I had. LOL
Will let you know how it turns out. My son took my new computer home with him last night to tweak things. When I asked him how my new computer was today he answered, "What new computer?" He is enjoying it way too much I think.

**Ramona** · 27th October 2006

Thanks so much Sue, and I too wish there was a Forum for every PC problem. I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to Windows!

I know that all will go well, as you do think ahead, and you back up frequently.

Tell that son of yours to quit playing with your new PC and bring it back home to Mommy. My son used to do that too... Aren't they cute?

Cheers!

Auntpolly · 2nd November 2006

Ramona,
Son finally brought computer back last night. After losing wallet and spending hours on the phone canceling cards, we got it set up and downloaded NS to install. He told me he had it set to view hidden files. Could not understand why we could not find my profile folder. So I ended up opening NS and making a fake profile. Still could not find it. Realized he had NOT set to view hidden files. Found profile and replaced with my files from old computer. NS is up and running. Too tired to deal with Firefox at 5am.
So now, when I install FF, do I just tell it then to use my NS profile? Will I still be able to use NS and Firefox? Do they both use the same Profile Manager? I can't stand opening NS and having to chose which profile to use. Only need one profile.
I know I can count on you to help me out again.
BTW: The wallet was found!

**Ramona** · 2nd November 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntpolly

So now, when I install FF, do I just tell it then to use my NS profile? Will I still be able to use NS and Firefox? Do they both use the same Profile Manager? I can't stand opening NS and having to chose which profile to use. Only need one profile.
I know I can count on you to help me out again.
BTW: The wallet was found!

Sue,

If you want to use both Netscape and Firefox, then I would create a new Profile for Firefox. They don't use the same Profile Manager, and in fact the location of the Firefox Profile is separate from that of Netscape:

Firefox:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox

Netscape:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles

Since the two applications have separate Profile Managers, and you have only one Profile for each application, then the Profile Manager will not prompt you on startup of either application.

When the Firefox Import Wizard comes up, select: Don't import anything, if you want to continue using Netscape.

If you wish to use the same information in Firefox as you have in Netscape, i.e., Bookmarks, Cookies, Passwords, etc., then you can copy those files from the Netscape *.slt folder, to the Firefox *.profilename folder. These are the files you will need:

xxxxxxxx.s
bookmarks.html
cert8.db
cookies.txt
custom.dic
hostperm.1
key3.db
UserChrome.css (if you created the file)
UserContent.css (if you created the file)

The *.s and key3.db files transfer your passwords. Once those files are copied to the Firefox profile, then change the name of the *.s file to: signons.txt.

If you have tweaked your prefs.js file in any way, then copy those lines to the prefs.js file of Firefox.

Let me know if you have more questions. This isn't as complicated as it looks, and you will sail through it.