Blank Panels on the Thunderbird Screen

Hi All,

After clicking on a Thunderbird (Safe Mode) link my existing version 2.0.0.9 TB now presents me with blank panels on the TB screen. Initially the screen seemed to be one of a new account. In looking at my profile, a new folder had appeared called NEWMail next to the Mail folder. I have since removed it, but no improvement. Also, when I open TB from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Mozzila Thunderbird, I have two TB icon shortcuts. One is called Mozzila Thunderbird(Safe Mode). When I use the other icon the TB screen opens and I can send a test message which the new-mail sound announces its arrival but with no visual presentation.

My Mail folder contains all the folders that were there before the existing situation and I hesitate going forward without some expert advice. I also have a profile backup which is about six weeks old but would prefer not to go that far back. Any Help would be appreciated.

 

This is the second post I have seen of problems using Safe Mode. And, I can't understand why anyone would not only use Safe Mode, but even have a dedicated shortcut icon. I am talking about Desktop shortcuts, and WinXP.
I, usually, don't even bother have a Start Menu icon, and if it is there, I don't look at it. But, I did, and, after four clicks or so, I found a Safe Mode shortcut.
I have about ten accounts, and all of them are there, although I have to do a few things to make the Safe Mode look like the run of the mill TB.
The only purpose of Safe Mode is to disable all Add-ons or Themes, some of which may be incompatible. There is no other purpose that I know of.
In WinXP, I can accomplish, and more effciently, the same thing by going to Start|All Programs|Thunderbird.
So, instead of trying to explain what happens, I should ask why? Other that because it is there, of course.
Of yes, there is a TB2.0.0.12 which you can download from Help|Check for Updates.

 

Westside,

Thank you for your early reply. Curiosity killed the cat and almost killed my Thunderbird. I have not purposely created a TBshortcut icon. It happened when I clicked on Thunderbird (Safe Mode) and I reported it for the sake of completeness. I did use your suggestion and installed the TB 2.0.0.12 upgrade. Unfortunately it made no difference and when TB opens the same two blank panels are still there but I can hear the indicator for the arrival of new mail. I realize that I can make a new account and install each folder one by one. This seems to be a hard choice and I'm wondering if clicking the TB (Safe Mode) producing the blank panels is a bug.

 

derfsch,

Installing 2.0.0.12 did nothing, because the problem is in your Profile. Did TB create a new Profile, i.e., when you look in the Profiles folder is there more than one Profile listed?
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles

Does the "Local directory" field in Server Settings point to the correct location of the Mail Account folder on the HD?
Tools | Account Settings | Server Settings

I have only one listing in the location you indicated:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Mozilla Thunderbird
TB Safe Mode
There is no listing for executing Thunderbird (without safe mode)

That is a very unusual way to start TB, and I would strongly suggest using the Desktop shortcuts, or starting here: Start | Programs | Mozilla Thunderbird | Mozilla Thunderbird

Add the -p username command line argument to your desktop shortcut and see what happens:
Right click the Desktop shortcut
Select: Options
Select: Shortcut Tab

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -p username

Ensure you leave one space between the end of the Target line and the -p.

 

Ramona,

I'll be away from my computer until Friday at which time I'll answer your questions point by point. If I knew how to insert quotes, it would make things easier to understand. Right now I do not see any change in my Thunderbird program.

 

It should be simple enough. If you have two shortcuts in the Start Menu, you should not use the Safe Mode icon. Do you have only a Safe Mode icon, on your Desktop? To me it is totally unclear why anyone would go five clicks deep to start a program, when there is a single click way from the desktop.
Yes, I do have two icons in the Start Menu, but there is no reason to use Safe Mode, unless you mean to.
I think that what Ramona said is pretty clear. There is no way to get to use, regularly, Safe Mode, unless you get out of your way to do. And, that's wrong.
If you have a single desktop icon, and it is for Safe Mode, delete it. And, go to the Program Files location|Mozilla Thunderbird|thunderbird.exe|right and send to desktop. The correct icon should be created.

 

derfsch,

To insert a quote all that is needed is to first enter the quote vB Code, and insert the text you wish to quote. Then to close the quote, insert the /quote code. See this page:

http://www.windowsbbs.com/misc.php?do=bbcode

 

Actually, there is a simpler way, which I use, all the time.
Do a mouseover over the icons on the reply toolbar. The third from the end will allow you to place insert (paste) text which had been, previously copied.
Example below:

. Not needed.

 

Westside and Ramona,

Thank you both for your assistance. Apparently I did not make the earlier posts clear enough. Both of your mention

as though I used this to start the TB program. Such was not the case. When I was trying to find the source of the problem, I gave this location to indicate what had happened. That is, two TB icons resulted. My normal startup process is to click on the desktop TB icon. The present problem started when I was in Start | Programs and I clicked on Mozilla Thunderbird (Safe Mode)

Since I did not see any easy solution for my problem, I removed Thunderbird completely from the computer, installed TB version 2.0.0.12. and opened a new account. I had backed up my existing profile and used the contents of the mail folder in the new account. Everything worked properly and e-mails from the previous two days were available.

All this still leaves the Thunderbird (Safe Mode) situation unresolved. My Advice to anyone contemplating using it would be to stay away from it.

Also thank you for the explanation on using Quotes. I was expecting a Quote icon which I vaguely remember, but that could be from another forum.

 

derfsch,

You did the right thing by creating a new Profile. Safe Mode, should be "safe ", however this certainly didn't prove to be the true in your case.

This could be a bug, and you can check HERE to see if anyone has reported this problem.

 

Derfsch. There is a Quote icon, but, unless you knew about it, or stumble onto it, by using mouseover. The icons on the bottom toolbar, the one with bold,italic and underline has icons which need to be gone over. And, I can't go from left to right. I must move down my mouse, to see the next icon.

 

Westside,

Yes, I found the icon that you pointed out in your Post #8 and used it in my reply. If nothing else this icon assures that you wont leave out the "/" in the second part of the vB Code as I have done many times on previous occasions. My recollection was of the word Quote was the icon but this may have been in another forum. Thanks again for your help. .