Thuderbird failure to start

Jaws3 · 17th October 2008

My Thunderbrid fails to open. When I run the Thuderbird.exe application, I see the HDD light flicker for a while but nothing happens after that. I have 2 profiles for 2 seperate email accounts/providers. I do not even see the Profile choice window coming onto the screen anymore.

It worked fine before I did some updates to AV/Spyware programs and some disk cleanup.

Should I just try to backup/copy the directory with my mail and re-install TB or is there and easier way?

Thanks
Len

**Ramona** · 17th October 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws3

My Thunderbird fails to open. When I run the Thuderbird.exe application, I see the HDD light flicker for a while but nothing happens after that. I have 2 profiles for 2 separate email accounts/providers. I do not even see the Profile choice window coming onto the screen anymore.

Len,

What version of TB are you running?
Did you install over the existing version?
What OS are you running?
Is there any error message?
Which two providers?

Create a desktop shortcut for each of your Profiles. If you don't know how:
How to Bypass the Profile Manager on Startup
Altho written for Netscape, also applies to Fx and TB.

To create a second desktop shortcut:
Right click the thunderbird.exe file (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird)
Select: Create Shortcut
Drag that shortcut to the Desktop, then add the second Profile name.

Quote:

It worked fine before I did some updates to AV/Spyware programs and some disk cleanup.

Which AV/Spyware programs?
What sort of disk cleanup?
Will TB start in Safe Mode?
Start | Programs | Mozilla Thunderbird | Mozilla Thunderbird (Safe Mode)

One of the latest MS updates caused a problem with ZoneAlarm, however it involved no connection to the Internet. Are you able to connect to the Internet with your browser? See this:
Workaround to Sudden Loss of Internet Access Problem
(Vista users aren't affected.)

Quote:

Should I just try to backup/copy the directory with my mail and re-install TB or is there and easier way?

Yes, definitely make a backup copy of your entire Thunderbird folder located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Application Data\Thunderbird
(Windows XP)
This should be done on a routine basis.

Don't reinstall yet, until you've answered the above questions, and tried the suggestions. It's hard to diagnose your problem unless we have much more information.

Jaws3 · 18th October 2008

My appology for scant info Ramona.
Here goes

1. TB 2.0.0.17 ( I think its this ver. but not sure because it's not opening anymore!)
2. It was a clean install that worked well until this
3. XP Pro SP3
4. No error message
5. MTS in Manitoba Canada and the other is MWEB, South Africa
6. AVG Free v8.0.173 and Webroot Spysweeper 5.8.1.47
7. Disk cleanup consisted of emptying temp folders and browser cache
8. TB does not start in safe mode either
9. I can connect to internet without problems re backup etc.

I'll do as you suggested in the meantime.
Thanks
Len