Having problem installing Netscape 7.2 in XP

Is there no way to simply install NS 7.2 "over top" of NS 7.1 and then keep the settings (bookmarks, saved emails, address books, etc.) from the NS 7.1?

I was checking out the following link and it seems to indicate that one can do that.

http://home.att.net/~cherokee67/ns72custom.html

I too have tried uninstalling NS 7.1 (after saving all my profile files - between myself, wife, grandson, and business we have four accounts on NS 7.1) and uninstalling NS 7.1 and then installing NS 7.2 ...

As with the iniitial poster, I to have had the installation program runs, all files seem to be placed in the appropriate places and the Menu entries appear (*). However, the program will not boot!! I've tries uninstalling and re-downloading several times. I've also tried booting the program using the executable from Wondows Explorer, but to no avail.

(*) My one exception is that the Mail and Newsgroups Icon does not appear. Also the installation process just seems to fade away, no dialogue box appears indicating that the installation process has completed. Even should I get NS 7.2w browser to work, not having the Mail function would be disastorous as I have legal and medical oriented emails that have to be saved and accessed for specific purposes (emails that are currently saved in NS 7.1)

Elroy

 

Welcome to the Forum, Elroy Boy!

Elroy,

In no way does that page indicate that you should install 7.2 "over the top of NS 7.2 ". I always advocate a "Clean Install" for the most efficient install.

Your problem is that when installing Netscape 7.2, you didn't delete the GRE folder which is located here:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org\GRE\1.4f_2003062408

When uninstalling Netscape 7.1 the entire GRE folder should be deleted if you have no other Netscape 7.xx/Mozilla 1.xx applications installed.

The C:\Program Files\Netscape folder should also be deleted, after you copy your plugins folder to a temporary folder, in order to not lose your Plugins. Once you install Netscape 7.2, you can then replace the new plugins folder, with that of Netscape 7.1.

The Profiles folder will not be touched by the install/uninstall of these applications.

Now, having gone through this procedure, I strongly recommend that you abandon the now obsolete, Netscape application. There are numerous unresolved bugs and serious security issues, which will never be addressed.

My recommendation is that you install Firefox 1.5.0.7, and Thunderbird 1.5.0.7. Thunderbird being the companion mail program for the Firefox browser.

Your Netscape profile will be automatically migrated to Firefox, and also to Thunderbird. It is a painless process, and both of these applications are secure, stable, outstanding programs, which will make you wonder why you ever resisted moving forward.

Let us know if you have further questions.