Double Trouble - New Op Sys - New FF & TB

I have a double trouble. About 3-4 weeks ago I had a major failure. After I couldn't find out what was wrong, I gave in and took it to a shop. After 2 weeks what had looked like software problems, they found it was the mother board.

My old machine was XP Pro SP1 and my new machine is Vista. I did have a backup, but the "young techies" explained that copying over doesn't work. I have been slowly restoring most of my programs with various degrees of success.

Two of the most important items, FireFox and Thunderbird, are challenging me. In FF all my Bookmarks are gone and, in TB, my address books and messages are gone. To add to my befuddlement, the "2" versions were now posted. With opitimism, I hoped downloading both would make them "look" for these items - my error!

Anyway to get these items working? Some files names to copy, etc? Should I uninstall the 2 versions and start by copying the older version?

I have more then one backup, but unfortunately, the repair guys did some "copies" which made direct comparisons a bit difficult.

 

I don't believe that there should be a problem, other than you have Vista, now, and the profile locations are different from WinXP. You have, basically, a new computer, and you should start from scratch as far as the programs goes.
You can refer to the excellent articles from Ramona's website on how to deal with a new profile. The link at the beginning of the page which I gave you refers mostly to Netscape and Mozilla, but you should get the paths for Thunderbird and Firefox.
Thunderbird and Firefox are made up of two parts, the program, and the profile.
In the latter, you will find Mail, and everything connected to it, and bookmarks, respectively.
Take a look at the link(s), and tell us what does not make sense.

 

Cal,

Copy these files from the old Firefox Profile to the new:
NOTE: this is taken from the 2.0.0.4 Profile

bookmarks.html
cert8.db
cookies.txt
hostperm.1
key3.db
mimeTypes.rdf
persdict.dat
prefs.js
signons.txt
signons2.txt
userChrome.css (located in the Chrome folder, and only if created by you)
userContent.css (located in the Chrome folder, and only if created by you)
user.js (if created)


Folders:
bookmarkbackups


Copy these files from the old Thunderbird Profile to the new:

xxxxxxxx.s (your password file may be "signons.txt ")
abook.mab
abook-1.mab (if you have more than one Address Book)
cert8.db
cookies.txt
history.mab
junklog.html
key3.db
mimeTypes.rdf
persdict.dat
prefs.bak
prefs.js
secmod.db
training.dat
user.js
userChrome.css
userContent.css
virtualFolders.dat

Folders:

ImapMail
Mail
News

 

Cal,

Once you have installed Versions 2.0.0.4, Firefox & Thunderbird, here are some tips you might want to look over:

Updating from Firefox Version 1.5.x to Version 2.0.0.x

 

Thanks

Ramona,

I'm back on the air. It took me awhile because the switch to Vista gave me a lot of permissions problems and a lot of time is being spent installing programs that I later find out are unable to function fully or to any major degree.

I want to thank you for all your dedication to monitoring this site.

Cal

 

Cal,

Thanks for letting us know that you are up and running again. Always a pleasure to be able to offer suggestions!