Lost Netscape Inbox Mail After Reload

I've been reading threads and trying stuff from them for the past couple hours, and I still cannot get my old inbox file to come up in my new inbox. The file is still there, but I can't do anything with it. If I open it with Netscape, it becomes one huge expanded file with all images being shown only as code. When I check the file properties, the only extension I can see is "file ". If I click on it, I am promted to either use the web to find the appropriate file, or select the file froma a list. That is when I use Netscape and get the expanded version. I'm gonna post this and then take a short break. I'll be back on in a few minutes. I'm suffering from braing strain. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

Lost Mail Alternative

Is there any simple way to just view the old files like they were, without them in being in that expanded form?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave,

When you copied the OLD Inbox file to the NEW Mail Account folder, did you copy ONLY the file WITHOUT the msf extension? If not, then that is most likely your problem. I would remove whatever you have copied to the NEW Mail Account folder, and start again.

If this is not the case, then there are other workarounds. Also, to answer your question re: pointing to the correct Inbox.

Using Windows Explorer, open the Mail Folder, and look at the names of the Mail Account Folders. The original file will be named pop.isp.net, and the additional files will be named pop.isp-1.net, pop.isp-2.net, etc.

To point Netscape to the newest file, you would open Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and in the "Local directory" field, point that path to the path of the Mail Account folder you wish to use.

I hope this will help, as I do understand your frustration.

Ramona

 

Ok thanks, I'll try again tomorrow.

Dave

 

Still no success. Heck, I can't find any "pop.isp-1.net, pop.isp-2.net, etc." files. The folder that has my old inbox stuff is simply named "inbox ", no file extension or anything. Is there anyway I can view the files as they were, without putting them back into my reloaded nestscape mail?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave,

If extensions aren't showing then you must have Windows XP. Do this:

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.

The pop.isp.net and pop.isp-1.net were merely examples I used for your Mail Account Folder. If you have Earthlink, then it would be:
pop.earthlink.net, or dave.att.net, etc. You have to be in the Mail Account Folder, if you are seeing the Inbox file.

Once your files are no longer hidden, then you will be able to see the msf extensions.

Ramona

 

..

I did all that and I still cannot see a file extension. It still read "File ". This is a real drag.

thanks,
Dave

 

Dave, I am not sure what you did, but if you set up your mail anew, you will get your account name folder, and within it a set of two files, like Inbox and Inbox.msf, etc. If copied and pasted the old Inbox into the new mail account folder, you should be prompted to replaced the new with the old file. If you were never prompted, you did not put it in the right place.
The behavior you described about the Inbox is normal. The Inbox is a large file with messages back to back, and if they are HTML you will see a lot of code.
Ideally an old Inbox should be renamed, like to Oldinbox, and if the renamed file is placed in the correct folder, it will form, automatically, a header file, i.e. Oldinbox.msf, which will allow you to old the the file with no extention. There is no other way. And those files on the hard drive will form one folder when you open NS.
I hope you understand what we are saying. It is easy if you know where and what's going on, but it is as rewarding as hitting the head against the wall if things are not clear.

 

Ok, I renamed them. I'll try and find a file wth the msf extension and try to drop it in. Wish me luck

thanks,
Dave

 

Dave,

You are misunderstanding Westside. You do NOT want to place the Inbox.msf, or any other files with the msf extension, into the new Mail Account folder. You only want to place the Inbox file, with no extension.

First you need to be able to view the extensions in Windows Explorer. Your Mail Account Folder contents should look something like this:

Drafts
Drafts.msf
Inbox
Inbox.msf
msgFilterRules.dat
popstate.dat
Sent
Sent.msf
Templates
Templates.msf
Trash
Trash.msf

 

Man, I looked and looked in my Netscape file and never found the right mail files. I forgot that those files were not in program files like in the older Windows, and Netscapes. The file path for Netscape in Windows XP is: C:\Documents and Settings\ "Myname "\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\owjl88el.slt\Mail . It was there that I finally found the right file. At first I tried putting in the renamed, "oldinbox" file with no file extension. It did make another "oldinbox MSF" file, but nothing was in it. So I re-read for the umpteenth time the other threads, and copied the "Inbox" file with no extension into the file folder. At that point I was prompted, and ask if I wanted to replace the existing file. I did, and alas, it was back. I lost a couple weeks, but I can deal with that. I did the same with the "Sent" files also. So now, I'm back up and running. Heck, at one point I had monkeyed around with the mail program so much that I couldn't even send mail anymore. I uninstalled the whole Netscape program, and downloaded a new version. When I notice there was some personal stuff in the new version that was from the old, I knew I hadn't cleared all the old stuff out. It was then that the search was really on. After many hours, it finally paid off. My inbox file size is nearly a gig. I'm gonna have to do something about that. I want to say thanks to you all. You were a huge help.

Now, one more question,, when I reply to a message, how do I get the cursor to start at the top of the reply, instead of it going to the bottom?

THANK YOU SO MUCH,
Dave

 

Dave,

Terrific that you finally found your files, and it never occurred to me that you didn't know where to look for the Profile. I thought when I suggested that you point to the correct path in the Local directory field, that you would see the Profile location there. Sorry I didn't catch that!

To have your reply start at the top of the reply, rather than the bottom:

Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Composition & Addressing
Automatically quote the original message when replying
Then: Start my reply above the quote (in the dropdown menu)

Let us know if you need further help.

Ramona

 

Gosh, I knew that. I guess I'd been looking at this machine for too dang long. My eyes were starting to bulge, and were getting olive shaped. I had started wearing my coke bottle lenses. My fingernails were getting really long. My hair was getting really stringy and ratted. The veins were popping out on my forehead, and trickle perspiration was dripping down my cheeks. Ha! Yepper, I was doing some serious stressing. Ha! Hey, once again thanks Ramona, and thanks to you also Westside. If I have any more mishaps I'll be back begging for help.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Now, take a deep breath, then, startb breathing normally. Also, head for the showers to wash your hair.
I can't help you with your eyeball's problems.
But, although I have been doing these rescues for long time, my first reaction is to panic. Then, I will start thinking. It usually works.

 

You go Dave! I'm with Westside, go wash that stringy ratty hair, use some visine, and for goodness sakes how can you type with those Howard Hughes fingernails!

Relax and enjoy your browsing...

Ramona