Migrating mail to new computer

Greetings All: I'm stumped. I'm trying to migrate my email folders
from an NT4.0 desktop using Netscape 7.1 as the mail client to an XP laptop
also using Netscape 7.1. Moved the address book, prefs, etc successfully,
but can't move the individual mail folders. I've drilled down to find find email
folders on the NT box and emailed it to the laptop. Found the corresponding
folder on the laptop and tried to replace the laptop file with the one from the
desktop. When I open the mail client, the application does not recognize the
individual emails in the folder.

I might add, the desktop does not have a CD writer and the floppy decided
to give up the ghosh.

Your suggestions are warmly welcomed.

 

Welcome to the Forum, TGW!

Hi tgw,

First, let me tell you that you shouldn't copy the prefs.js file, it's best to let the new Netscape install, create its own prefs.js file. With Netscape open, on the Laptop, rename the current prefs.js file to Xprefs.js. Close Netscape and Quick Launch, Netscape will then rebuild the prefs.js file. Do this before you copy Mail Files.

Have you set up your Mail Accounts using the Mail Wizard on the Laptop? If so, then copy only the Mail files with NO MSF extension; i.e., Inbox, Templates, Sent, Drafts, etc. from your Desktop backup. Also copy the SBD folders, as they contain subfolders, if you have any. Remember, don't copy the files with the MSF extension.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Ramona

 

Migrating mail to new computer (part deux)

Hi Ramona,
Thank you for responding to my plea. I misspoke earlier. I moved only my
address book from the desktop to the laptop. I let the Mail Wizard create
the prefs on the laptop. And I did it by sending the addressbook to myself
in an email. Opened the email client on the laptop and imported the address
book.
I tried to email a small email folder (3 msgs) without the MSF extention from
the desktop to the laptop in the same fashion, but upon opening the Import
box from the Tools menu in NC7.1, the Import Wizzard offered me mail import
options from either Communicator 4.x, Eudora, Outlook, or Outlook Express.
Since I don't use Eudora, Outlook or Outlook Express as a client I chose the
Communitor 4.x That option prompted me to 'choose the profile that contains
the Local Mail you want to import' into a blank input box yet it won't allow me
to identify the profile (as if I could?). The next option was either OK or Cancel.
So I guess the next logical question is how do I get the mail folders from one
machine to the other when the only means of file transfer is to email the folders
to myself (emailing from the desktop, disconnecting from my ISP, reconnecting
using the laptop and downloading)
Again, your suggestions are welcomed.
Best Regards,
~t

 

Hi tgw,

This post may have repeated text and perhaps some of it garbled, as there is a problem with the BBS software, but I do want to give you an answer...

Since you have no backup media, try forwarding the individual messages from the desktop to the laptop. If you have a lot of messages it will be tedious, but at least you won't lose anything.

Ramond

 

Hi Romona,

"Since you have no backup media, try forwarding the individual messages from the desktop to the laptop. If you have a lot of messages it will be tedious, but at least you won't lose anything. "

Was hoping for a simpler way than forwarding over 1000 msg, but I guess I
have little alternative.

Thank you for your assistance.

~t

 

Just a shot .....
Select the files that you want to transfer.
Compress (zip) the files and send the "zip" file as an attachement.

Unpack and copy as indicated above.

HTH

regards:captjlddavis

 

migrating problems too

I also have a new computer and have tried unsuccessfully to transfer mail settings both thru transfer software and then by copying and moving just the mail files. I have done this successsfully with older versions of Netscape. Now I can't get my email settings, address book or bookmarks to be recognized by Netscape. Suggestions?

 

Welcome to the Forum, kbrei!

Hi kbrei,

When you moved the mail files, did you move only the files without the MSF extension? (I am assuming you have Netscape 7.1, if not let us know.) That would be Inbox, Templates, Drafts, Sent, etc.

When you look at the *.slt folder in Windows Explorer, can you see the Mail Account Folder, bookmarks.html, and abook.mab files? They would be located here:
<path>\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profilename\*.slt

NOTE: If you're using Windows XP, 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

Open Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings
Click on Server Settings
Scroll down to the Local directory setting
Does the path in the Local directory field point to the correct location on the HD for your mail account folder?

Ramona

 

Mail's fine but...

Thanks for the help. My mail is now found. But bookmarks and preferences (stored passwords, etc.) are not. How do I link these?

 

kbrei,

Your Bookmarks file is bookmarks.html
The Address Book file is abook.mab

Copy the Address Book, and Bookmark files to your new PC and allow them to overwrite the existing files.

Your password file is a random number file, similar to: 12345678.s

Once you have pasted the password data file from the old PC into the new PC profile, then rename the password file on the new PC. e.g., X12345678.s.
Follow the same procedure for 12345678.w (Fill Form Data)

Open prefs.js and find the line (near the bottom of the file) that
looks like: user_pref( "signon.SignonFileName ", "nnnnnnnn.s ");
Change the "nnnnnnnn" to the random number of your old PC password file.

Next: find the line (near the bottom of the file) that
looks like: user_pref( "wallet.SchemaValueFileName ", "nnnnnnnn.w ");
Change the "nnnnnnnn" to the random number of your old PC Forms password file.

You might want to take a look at this page: Transferring Profiles from PC to PC


Ramona

 

moving files

Thanks, Ramona. I never would have been able to figure out how to move these files without your instructions! I deeply regret that I didn't find this board last year when I got a new computer and entered in all the email and password data by hand since I couldn't figure out how to transfer!

 

Hi kbrei,

You're most welcome, and now that you know where we are, hope to see you often! (Not with problems tho! )

Ramona

 

Successful Email Transfer

Hi Ramona,

Before I formatted my HDD I copied the complete Mozilla folder to a CD as a backup at the instruction of a friend but once I reinstalled Windows 98 and loaded Netscape 7.1 again I thought all I had to do was copy the contents of the mail sub-folder from the saved Mozilla folder to the newly created mail sub-folder and I would have my email back but after several unsuccessful, experimental attempts I decided I needed help and found this terrific Netscape help site. I found out I was close but your instructions to others in this thread got me the rest of the way. I learned that my mistake was copying the MSF files. Once I copied only the files without the MSF extensions I had my all important mail back.

Thanks, you're the greatest.

 

Welcome to the Forum, dover3!

Hi dover3,

I'm always delighted to hear that I have helped a fellow Netscape/Mozilla user. You were definitely close, and the way you copied your Mail was indeed the surefire way.

Ramona