My mail system disappeared

Dear Ramona:
A long time ago you save my life, while trying to switch from Win98 to Windows XP, you helped me to transfer my mail from Netscape.
Two days ago, I allowed Windows XP to install one update and after I re-started my computer, I saw a window telling me my mail had been renamed with a different xxxxxx.slt
On top of that, my browser lost all the bookmarks.
In other words, I don't have my previous mail system and my browser doesn't have my bookmarks.
Browsing through Windows Explorer, I was able to find within my mail profile, my old xxxxxx.slt, but now I'm totally lost and I simply don't know how to recover my mail and my bookmarks.
Would it be too much to ask you to help me one more time.
Thank you so much in advance.
Ruben......HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Ruben,

If you have a backup of your prefs.js file, then:
Close Netscape and Quick Launch
Open Windows Explorer
Navigate to your salted (*.slt) Folder

Rename the existing prefs.js file to BADprefs.js
Copy the backup prefs.js file to the salted (*.slt) folder
This should resolve the problem.

If you don't have a backup copy of the prefs.js file, try this:

Open Netscape Mail
Click on: Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings

Scroll down the window to the "Local directory" field

Click on the "Browse" tab to the right of the "Local directory" field, and navigate to the correct path for the mail account which contains your mail.

Once you have highlighted the correct mail account folder, click "OK ". The correct path will now be shown in the Local directory field.

Close Netscape, then reopen
Your Mail should be intact.

I would also suggest disabling Quick Launch, as many users report
that disabling the feature stopped the Lost Mail issue. This may or may not work for your system.

Let us know if you were able to resolve your lost mail issue.

Happy Thanksgiving back at ya'!

 

Hi Ramona:
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
Regarding my problem.
If I navigate in Windows Explorer, this is what I get:
Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\ "myusername "\...and here, there are two xxxxxxxx.slt and scrolling down there is one prefs.js
If I open the xxxxxxxx.slt, I will find one prefs.js for each one, with their right xxxxxxxx.slt number.
So for your first suggestion, I tried both combinations of prefs.js with no result.
Regarding the second option:
I open Netscape Mail>Edit>Mail & Newsgroup>Server Setting and in the Local directory field there's just one path and no "Browse" tab, so it didn't work either.
When I open the Mail tab under "myusername" profile using for instance Notepad, I can see part of my most recent mail and if I open the Local Folder, I can see the list of my mail folders, but I'm unable to open them with Netscape.
Should I uninstall Netscape and start from zero?
Once again, thank you for your time and great help.
Best rgds.,

Ruben

 

Ruben,
if you have two .slt folders in your profile directory, you must have created an additional profile. Are both .slt folders in the same profile folder, i.e. "default ", or do you have two separate names? Do both .slt folder|Mail|have the same Inbox size? You can ignore the one with 0Kb, unless something weird has happened, which may have, considering what you describe.
If you have not created an additional profile, I would delete the nearly empty one. Alternately, I would copy the bookmarks.html file (for bookmarks), and the entire Mail folder from the .slt which has mail, and past it into the the one which has not. Since the preferences are messed up, there is no telling what would happen. If I come up with something better, I will post back.
But, please make a backup (copy) of the .slt folder which has mail, while you wing it.

 

Ruben,

What version of Netscape are you using? I gave you instructions for Netscape 7.2, but if you have no "Browse" button to the right of the Local directory setting, then you must have an older version of Netscape.

The path to the original xxxxxxxx.slt file, which contains your mail account folder, is the path that you can type into the "Local directory" field, replacing the existing path. The existing path is pointing to the new xxxxxxxx.slt folder that was created.

The path would be similar to this:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\username\xxxxxxxx.slt\Mail\pop.yourISP.net

Then I assume that you haven't backed up, or made a copy of your Profiles folder. This is what I was hoping, so you could copy the back up of the prefs.js file. Just disregard this part...

No, don't uninstall Netscape, as your problem is in the Profile, and not in the Program files.

When you drill down to the Mail | mail account folder, does your mail account folder look similar to this:

C:\<path> Profiles\username\xxxxxxxx.slt\Mail\pop.ISP.net
and
C:\<path> Profiles\username\xxxxxxxx.slt\Mail\pop.ISP-1.net

The mail account folder with the "-1" is the newly created folder, and the mail account folder without the "-1" is the original account. This is the path you want to copy and paste into the Local directory field in the Server Settings.

I hope I have been clear, but if not, please ask as many questions as you need, so we can get your mail up and running.

 

Dear Ramona:

What happened was really bizarre
My Netscape version is 7.0
As soon as I realized what happened after the WindowsXP update and read the message in the warning window, I copied my profile in a DVD. My profile name is "redelc" and this is a list of what shows:
6ev9s9qt.slt
Cache
chrome
ImapMail
Mail
NIM
uehmw3a0.slt
below that, there are 23 files, among them a prefs.js

The first xxxxx.slt is 1.63 GB and the second is 1.45 GB

If I open the first xxxx.slt, it will show:
Cache
chrome
ImapMail
Mail
NIM plus anther 24 files, including a prefs.bak(which is empty) and a prefs.js
The Mail folder of the first xxxx.slt shows 12 folders

The second xxxxx.slt, shows:
Cache
Cache(2)
Cache(3)
Cache(5)
Cache(6)
chrome
Mail (with 5 folders inside: Local Folders, Local Folders-1, pop.myISPprovider-1.com, pop.myISPprovider-2.com and pop.myISPprovider.com

This is what the Local directory field is showing as a path:
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\uehmw3a0.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider-2.com

Is there any way that I can copy my main profile list(without the content) to e-maiol it to you?
Once again, thank you so much for your help.
Best rgds.,

Ruben

 

Is the "uehmw3a0.slt" your original salted folder?

If so, then change the Local directory field path to:
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\uehmw3a0.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com

Also, delete all the Cache folders in both Profiles.

P.S. You don't have to quote my replies, unless there is something specific you want to address.

 

Dear Ramona:

You are an angel.
The 6ev9s9qt.slt looked familiar to me, and after I deleted all the Cache, I change the Local directory field path to:
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\6ev9s9qt.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com
I closed Netscape and then reopen and "voila" all my mail was there.
Now tell me, how do I protect myself from this happening again?
Should I delete the uehmw3a0.slt and backup my "redelc" profile?
Thank you so much again. For the second time, you save my life.
I'm a translator and voice-over talent and my working life is in my e-mail.
Regarding the fact that I didn't have to quote your replies, it was pure stupidity, since I didn't know how to keep answering to you.
Now I know.
Best rgds.,

Ruben

 

Dear Ramona:

I know it might be too much to ask, but I'll ask anyways:
I still can't find my Mozilla Firefox's bookmarks, Do you think you could help me with that problem as well?
Thank you
Best rgds.,

Ruben

 

Ruben,

Ask away any time, and no matter how many questions you have, it is never too much! I wanted to get your Mail back for you, before going on to your Bookmarks.

Since you do have your Profile backed up on DVD, copy the bookmarks.html file, which is located in your xxxxxxxx.slt folder, from the DVD, and paste it into the xxxxxxxx.slt folder located here:

C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\6ev9s9qt.slt

If you make a daily backup of your entire Profiles folder, then you will always be able to recover your data. Create a folder for that purpose, e.g., C:\Netscape Backup. At the end of the day copy your Profiles folder, then paste it into your C:\Netscape Backup folder.

You can't keep it from happening, as this is one of the bugs in Netscape 7. But by backing up your Profile, you will always be able to recover.

By all means, delete the uehmw3ao.slt folder IF there is no Mail that you wish to copy to the original Profile. If there is Mail you wish to keep, then do this:

In the uehmw3a0.slt Mail Account folder (pop.ISP.net) rename all files without an MSF extension, e.g., Drafts2, Inbox2, Sent2, etc. Then paste these files into the Mail Account folder in the 6ev9s9qt.slt folder. By renaming the files, you won't overwrite the existing Mail.

Also copy all SBD (subfolders) to the new Profile, as they contain your subfolders. Delete the MSF files in these folders.

Once you copy the renamed files, you can then open Netscape, and move the messages to the appropriate folders. If this isn't clear, just let me know.

Here are a few of Netscape Solutions pages, for future reference:

Lost Mail Settings - Profile
Transfer Netscape Mail Files to New Profile
Preventive Browser Maintenance

 

Hi Ramona:
It's really wonderful to see the time you spend trying to help people....If there were only 10 peolple like you in every State or Province, this would be such a different world....Thank you for what you do for all of us.
Before going into the Bookmarks problem, I decided to delete the uehmw3a0.slt, which was the one I didn't need...but Surprise!. After I deleted everything in that file, my Netscape mail didn't work anymore, so I restored everything and I have the Netscape mail working again....I rename the xxxxxx.slt folder and again the Netscape mail didn't work...
What do I do?, Do I leave the uehmw3a0.slt there?, Is it going to interfere with my mail system?
I will tackle one problem at a time...remember I'm just a beginner in computing.
By-the-way. I'm in Canada now and it is COLD!!!!!!!(AROUND 5ºC which is around 25ºF) I´ll be back in FL soon.
Rgds.,

Ruben

 

Ruben,

You stated that you changed the Local directory field to:
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\6ev9s9qt.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com

I am assuming that the pop.myISPprovider.com Mail Account folder contains your original mail.

The uehmw3a0.slt also contains a pop.myISPprovider.com Mail Account folder, in addition to these folders:
Mail (with 5 folders inside: Local Folders, Local Folders-1, pop.myISPprovider-1.com, pop.myISPprovider-2.com and pop.myISPprovider.com

Open the pop.myISPprovider.com Mail Account folder in the uehmw3a0.slt salted folder

Check to see if there are messages in the Inbox, Drafts, Sent files
(without the MSF extension)
If so, rename the files to Inbox2, etc.
Copy these files to the <path>\6ev9s9qt.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com folder

Follow the same procedure for the pop.myISPprovider-1.com, and pop.myISPprovider-2.com Mail Account folders, renaming the files Inbox3, and Inbox4, as appropriate

Also copy any Subfolders, deleting the MSF files within the folders

Check the Local Folders and Local Folders-1 for messages also.

Once you have copied and renamed all files containing messages in the uehmw3a0.slt Mail Account folders, then move the uehmw3a0.slt folder out of the Profiles folder to a temporary folder, until everything is working as it should.

Do this one step at a time, and you will be fine. If you have questions, ask away...

 

Dear Ramona:

It's Saturday and you should be enjoying the day, but I guess there's always
someone like me who needs help and there you are.
I did everything you told me about renaming and copying, then as soon as I move the uehmw3a0.slt out of the profiles\\redelc\\ the mail stops working.
As a matter of fact, if I just rename uehmw3a0.slt to let's say: BADuehmw3a0.slt the mail doesn't work anymore.
But if I leave it as it is and I rename 6ev9s9qt.slt BAD6ev9s9qt.slt, the mail
works, but I don't have any of my mail.
Besides using 3.54 MB will it interfere in anyway if I just leave the uehmw3a0.slt in the main profiles?.
Thank you and enjoy what's left of the week-end.
Best rgds.,

Ruben

 

Ruben,

Try this:

Edit the Local directory setting using this path:

C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\uehmw3a0.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com

Does this work?

 

Hi Ramona:

When I change the Local directory path to:
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\uehmw3a0.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com

the Netscape mail opens but I have no mail.
Rgds.,

Ruben

 

Ruben,

If you have opened the Mail files, i.e., Inbox, Sent, Drafts, etc., in the 6ev9s9qt.slt Profile, and your original Mail is contained in the Mail Account folder, then you should no longer need the uehmw3a0.slt Profile folder. Especially in view of the fact that you have copied your Mail from uehmw3a0.slt to 6ev9s9qt.slt.

I would just love to sit in front of your computer for about 10 minutes.

You stated earlier that you had these Mail Account folders in the uehmw3a0.slt Profile Mail folder:

Local Folders
Local Folders-1
pop.myISPprovider.com
pop.myISPprovider-1.com
pop.myISPprovider-2.com

Just to double check, have you opened each of these folders, and copied all messages to the 6ev9s9qt.slt Profile Mail Account folder?

Hang in, we'll figure it out.

 

Dear Ramona:
I backed-up all my mail and then I transfered everything from the 6ev9s9qt.slt to the uehmw3a0.slt, and after that, I renamed 6ev9s9qt.slt==old_6ev9s9qt.slt.
I changed the Local directory path to:
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\redelc\uehmw3a0.slt\Mail\pop.myISPprovider.com and my mail system kept on working like a charm, though I still don't know where my bookmarks went.
Best regards,
Ruben

 

Ruben,

Congratulations! Ensure that you do daily backups of your entire Netscape "Profiles" folder, especially in view of the fact that you depend on your Mail for professional purposes.

I assume you have done a Search on your HDD for bookmarks.html? Have you checked the DVD backup for the bookmarks.html file?

 

Dear Ramona:

I'm telling you....when it comes to computers, I'm a donkey.
I was waiting for your answer and I had not realized that there was a second page with more comments.....
I did search the HDD and I found 19 bookmarks.html files. Just one with a lot of info. The rest doesn't have bookmarks, except for a few.
How do I copy this bookmarks now?
Thanks a lot
Best regards.,

Ruben

 

Hi Ruben,

Simply do a copy/past of the bookmarks.html file.

Locate the bookmarks.html file you want to use, right click and select "copy "
Next:
Locate the uehmw3a0.slt folder, right click on the folder, select "paste "
If prompted to overwrite the existing bookmarks.html file, click on "Yes "