Mail component 0n 7.1 will not open

XP operating system with Norton Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam both disabled on setup.

After failing to get the downloadable version of 7.1 to work, I purchased a CD and manual for it. Installation at first simply would not work. After uninstalling 4.73, I got Navigator to open, but upon trying to open the mail component Netscape froze. I shut it down with task manager and rebooted. At this point Navigator sets up the opening logo, and then freezes. Occasionally it will open directly from the .exe file, but mostly it only works when it wants to.

Once or twice I have booted my machine in the morning and Navigator dialed out and connected. It works as a browser, but that's all.

I have tried to install a clean boot as you have suggested and I have read all the forums and help pages available to no avail.

Thanks for any advice.

 

Welcome to the Forum, Mary Ellen!

Hi Mary Ellen,

This is what I would recommend:

Close Netscape:
Back up your Profiles Folder(s)
Back up your Plugins Folder(s)

Using Add/Remove:
Uninstall Netscape 7.1
Uninstall Mozilla (if installed)

Delete the following folders:
~\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape\
~\Program Files\mozilla.org\ (if Mozilla is installed)
~\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org\GRE
Clear the C:\WINDOWS\temp folder
Reboot your PC.

Disregard the below if Mozilla is NOT installed:

If you installed from the SEA, then the GRE folder will be located here:
~\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org
If you installed using the ZIP method then the GRE files are located here:
~\Program Files\mozilla.org
-----

Unrecognized third-party components will be removed from the C:\Program Files\mozilla.org\Mozilla directory, and will need to be reinstalled.

The Mozilla Profile folder will not be affected, and you will not lose your Profile data.

The above information is also available HERE

Ramona

 

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, Ramona.

I had tried all the items listed in the article you mentioned as well as the suggestions you made, except for clearing the Windows temp folder. So, I tried that as well -- still not working.

Navigator browses fine and then I tried to open the Mail/Newsgroups window. It froze. I closed it with the right hand X button. Then tried to use the shortcut in the tray for mail. The Netscape logo appeared and then froze. Had to use Task manager to close it. CPU usage 99%.

Tried from shortcut on desktop and same happened.

I am still unclear as to whether or not the GRE folder should be deleted AFTER install as well.

Thanks!

Mary Ellen

 

Hi Mary Ellen,

The GRE folder should be deleted before the UNinstall, and the reboot.

Since the reinstall didn't work, then do this:

If you are using a Theme other than the Default Modern Theme, revert back to the Modern Theme.
This is one of the most likely causes of inaccessible or disappearing Mail.

Clear your Cache and History
Cache: Edit | Preferences | Advanced Cache
History: Edit | Preferences | Navigator | History

Close Netscape:
Open Windows Explorer
Back up your Mail Account folder
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profilename\xxxxxxxx.slt\Mail\mailaccount

Open the Mail Account Folder
Delete all files with an MSF extension
Do NOT delete any files WITHOUT the MSF extension, as they contain your mail.

Check the File Attributes in the Mail file Properties. Ensure they are not set to "Read Only ".
Right click the files
Select: Properties
Remove the tick beside "Read Only" (if necessary)
Open Netscape - can you access Mail now?

If not, close Netscape:
Ensure that you have a backup of your Mail Account folder
Next: Delete the Inbox and Inbox.msf file
Netscape will rebuild the file when reopened.
Open Netscape - can you access Mail now?

If so, close Netscape:
Copy the Inbox file (without the MSF extension) from the backup
Paste it into the newly created Mail Account folder
When asked to overwrite the existing file, answer "YES ".

If still no joy, then this may be pointing to a profile corruption.
As a last resort, Create a New Profile and see if the problem remains.

Ramona

 

Ramona, after I wrote you, I decided to download SillyDog's streamlined copy of 7.1 and it is now up and running. I have to reload my old mail, and I will be golden! Sorry to put you to so much trouble!

The reason I asked about the GRE folder, is that of the 10-12 times I tried installing the program, sometimes a new folder appeared and sometimes not. Sometimes it was in an entirely different place than before. There are still 6 instances of a GRE uninstall folder, 1 in Windows and 5 in Windows\Prefetch. Are the ones in Prefetch necessary?

I also now have a GRE folder where I assume it should be: C:\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org.

Gratefully,
Mary Ellen

 

MkWrrnRose

I know this is a little late; however, I have experienced this problem and have done everything that Ramona has suggested to no avail. I then decided to remove all netscape, mozilla and aol components and reinstall them one at a time. Because I was having trouble reinstalling my Netscape Webmail, I installed all the other components first. After installing each component, I tested the program to see if I could launch and exit without the program hanging. It worked for more than a day without a hitch until I reinstalled my Netscape Webmail account. Immediately upon setting up my webmail account the program started freezing again. When I uninstalled my netscape webmail account the program worked and still works without a hitch.

My question is: How do I reinstall my Netscape Webmail account and still have use of Netscape mail & newsgroup component of my Netscape 7.1?