Mail Problem

I was using Netscape 4.79 quite successfully but decided to give Netscape 7.1 a try. I just never learn to leave well enough alone.

I seem to be having a problem between the browser and the mailbox. I now spend more time re-booting my computer in order to read my E-Mail. When using the browser, I simply can NOT get into my mailbox. I’ve tried clicking on the Mail icon on the Tool Bar, clicking on the Window tab and then the MailBox and Newsgroup line in the drop down menu. I’ve also tried clicking on the envelope on the Status Bar in the lower left hand corner. Nothing works.

I have noticed that that if I open the Mail Box first , leave that window open and THEN go into the browser, I can revert to my MailBox at any time.

Is this normal and if so why? If not, how can I correct this quirk? I rather like the new 7.1, but am really tired and frustrated having to re-boot the PC in order to surf the net and read my E-Mail.

Thanks.

 

Welcome to the Forum, vegaspat!

Hi vegaspat,

Close Netscape (including Quick Launch) Back up your mail folders
Delete the files with .msf extensions
Do not delete files that appear without any extension "“ these are the files that contain your actual e-mail
Starting Netscape Mail should automatically generate new summary files (.msf).

Also disable in Edit|Mail & Newsgroups Settings|Server Settings: Empty Trash on Exit.

Let us know if this corrects your problem.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

Well, at this moment, I'm not even sure I posted my reply in the correct manner.


I think there might be a bigger problem. I went to where I thought my
mail files should be. There were no .msf files. The location was
C:\Netscape\Netscape7\users\myname\mail. There were only.snm files
which I recognize as the 4.79 mail files. As before there were files
with no extension and then the ones with the .snm extension.

I then did a search and found the .msf files in my Documents and
Settings folders. That floored me. I guess that goes with Windows XP?
There are 25 files files there and ALL have the .msf extension. There
are NONE without the extension. So, at this point I haven't deleted
anything. Didn't think it would be a good idea at this point.

I had already checked the trash deal and that never was enabled.

I'll wait until I hear from you before I proceed!!

I would like to add that I seem to have a lot of computer lock up's since I installed Netscape 7.1

 

Ramona,

Sorry, but I just noticed something else I forgot to ask you about.

When you say "Close Netscape (including Quick Launch) what do you mean? Are you talking about the icons I have on my Quick Launch Toolbar? That didn't make sense to me so I suspect that I am missing something else here.

Thanks.

 

Hi vegaspat,

Oh my, you certainly should have files with no msf extensions in your Mail folder. You should be looking in this folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profilename\xxxxxxxx.slt\Mail\accountname
NOTE: These files are hidden by default.
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

You should see these files, at least:
Inbox
Inbox.msf
Drafts
Drafts.msf
Sent
Sent.msf
Trash
Trash.msf
Templates
etc., etc., etc.

In the Netscape 7.0 Mail & Newsgroups Account|Server Settings, ensure that the "Local Directory" setting points to the correct folder.

From the Help File:
Quick Launch:
When you installed Netscape, you were given the option of enabling or disabling Quick Launch. If enabled, Quick Launch loads part of Netscape into memory when Windows first starts (and each time Netscape first starts up). Quick Launch allows Netscape to stay in memory after you close all Netscape windows. This lets Netscape quickly start up when you need it, without having to load all of Netscape. If your computer is low in memory, you can disable Quick Launch to conserve memory.

To enable or disable Quick Launch in Netscape:

1. Open the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
2. Click the Advanced category.
3. Select "Enable Quick Launch" to enable Quick Launch, or deselect it to disable Quick Launch.
4. Click OK.

Tip: To easily disable Quick Launch, right-click on the Netscape logo in the system tray (near the time) and select "Disable Quick Launch" in the pop-up menu.

If you have more questions please let us know.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

Last night before calling it quits , I re-visited the folder containing the .msf file. It now contained 31 files and it now showed the regular mail files and also the ones with the .msf extensions . I deleted the .msf files and shut down the PC for a fresh try this morning.

Well, that didn’t help. I went directly to the BB searching for any posts from you. I then attempted to get into my mailbox to check the settings. Wouldn’t work. I tried everything and every option to open my mailbox. Finally re-booted and got into my mailbox to check out the settings. Quick Launch was not enabled and here are the settings . They don’t seem to be as you said they would be. This is what I have
after: Profiles\profile name\ejrj0qvu.slt\NEWS\host-news.

Now, this IS the Local directory settings, not the newsrc file.

I am running Windows XP and have 256 MB of ram.

As I said before, it seems (so far) that if I get the mailbox open and jump to the Navigator, I can go back to the mailbox if I have a window open on my Taskbar.

I am getting so frustrated. I am able to create a ton of problems for myself on most anything and I was actually well satisfied with 4.79. I hadn't heard about any problems with the new 7.1 lately and figured the bugs had been worked out. I had to have done something wrong at some point. I just hope you can figure this out for me.

Thanks.

 

Solved my problems

vegaspat, if you notice a few posts down from here I too have been having all kinds of problems with email on Netscape 7.01. The problems were minor with 7.0, at least I could live with them. When I upgraded to 7.01 it fixed the problem I posted about but then I started having exactly the same problem as you are having. I followed Ramona's instructions with no success either. I really liked 7.01's features and hate to go away from it but the way I solved my problems was uninstall 7.01 and go back to 4.79. Maybe when they get all the bugs worked out I'll give it another try, but for now I'm staying with 4.79.

LTH

 

LTH,

Well, at least there is someone else having problems. Usually my problems seem to be unique to only me.

I really hate to give 7.01 up. But it is a hard choice. It had gotten where there were a couple of sites that I couldn't view properly with 4.79 and had to log on with IE. Now I've run into a site where the company says they can't accommodate Netscape 6.0 and later.

I am so hoping that Ramona can come up with a solution.

Stay tuned....

 

Hi vegaspat,

This is your Newsgroups Folder, and not your Mail Folder. I am beginning to wonder if your Mail Account is even set up? Are you certain that your Mail Account from Communicator was converted? The location should be:
Profiles\profile name\ejrj0qvu.slt\MAIL\ACCOUNT NAME. Local Folders is not where your default Mail files are located. They are located in your Mail Account Folder. I use Norton AntiVirus with Email Protection, so my Mail Folder is 127.0.0.1.

Are you using the same Profile as Communicator, or did you create a new Profile for Netscape 7?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just trying to clarify exactly what is going on with your problem. Let me know, and we can go from here. You may need to create a new Profile for 7.0.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

I am so glad that you do ask these questions. First of all, I am so sorry. I looked again after your post and sure enough, I was looking in the wrong area.

I should have paid better attention to what I was looking at.

Here are the settings for my MAIL:
C:\Documents and Settings\XXX\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\my name\ejrj0qvu.slt\Mail\pop.win.org

Now, isn't that better? <G> And yes, I am using the same profile as I had for Communicator. Was that the wrong thing to do? I've never had to set up a new profile and would have to have explicit instructions on how to do that little thing.

I also use Norton AV with E-Mail protection, but still don't understand what you meant about your mail folder because of that usage?

I am continuing to have PC freeze ups. It has only been this bad since the installation of 7.01. Could Norton have anything to do with this along with 7.01?

 

Hi vegaspat,

I suspect that you have incorrectly configured your Mail settings, and Norton may indeed keeping you from accessing your Mail.

Do this: try disabling Norton, then see if you can access Mail. In the event you don't know how to disable NAV:
Right click the NAV icon in the System Tray
Select: Configure NortonAntivirus
Remove the tick beside: "Start Auto-Protect when Windows Starts Up "
It will ask if you want to unload now
Select: Yes

Start Netscape, and see if you can get to your Mail. Don't open any attachments that might be in emails, if in fact you can get into your Mail.

Post back with results.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

I haven't disabled NAV yet because at this moment everything is working as it should. Last night I disabled a little program I had running, named Pop Up Stopper. I can't believe that would have anything to do with it, but was wondering if you thought that one could possibly have anything to do with all this seeming conflict.

 

Hi vegaspat,

If you can access your mail, and having no problems, then I would say that was the problem. From Popup Stopper support:
I can't open new links and/or new browser windows. How do I disable Pop-Up Stopper products?

Netscape 7.01 has its own popup killer component. Look under:
Edit|Preferences|Privacy and Security|Popup Window Controls

Simply select: Supresss popups, and you're in business. You definitely don't need a third party program for Netscape 7.01.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

Just logged on and everything is still great. Pop Up Stopper is still disabled.

I will look into Netscape's option and then I will probably uninstall the little problem.

If that doesn't continue me on this road of worry free Netscape, I'll be back.

Thanks so much for your time.

 

vegaspat,

That's good news, and glad I could help, altho you did come up with the final answer to your problem!

Ramona

 

Ramona,

Well, it might not be totally over. Last night right before powering off my PC, the problem reappeared. I am wondering if it is also some sort of memory problem.

I had been doing some CD burning and when I went to check out my E-Mail, one last time, the problem had returned.

I guess I will fool around with different options and see if I can see something else that might be affecting this. If you come up with any other ideas, please let me know.

Has no one else had this particular problem?

 

vegaspat,

Before you try creating a new Profile, do this:

With Netscape closed
Right click on the Netscape Desktop Icon
In the Target line, add these commands
-mail -browser

It should look something like this:
"C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape\Netscp.exe" -browser -mail
Note the space between .exe" and -browser

With Netscape open
Edit|Preferences|Appearance
Enable: Navigator
Enable: Mail & Newsgroups

Post back with results.

Ramona

 

Ramona,

I just printed your instructions off and will give that a try.

Right now, I have been bouncing back and forth between my mailbox and the browser, just like the good old days. <G>

Earlier today, after I shut Netscape down for a few minutes, I couldn't even get it to open at all by clicking on the icons that I've placed on my Quick Launch Toolbar.

For lack of something else to do besides rebooting, I opened the Task Manager and there was line there for Netscape. I chose to "end" the process and when I did that I could open the browser. I didn't even attempt to open my mailbox. I just went and took a nap. This Task Manager thing is just a little beyond me.

I know there has to be some little thing I am overlooking. I've really started to like Netscape. I never had the time or inclination to work with IE. But now, Netscape is getting a little complicated for me with these problems.

The next time it starts acting up, I will attempt to try your last suggestion. Right now with all working, it may be tomorrow. I will let you know my progess.

Do you have any idea how many processes the average person should have in their Task Manager?

I saw several lines with SVCHOST, but searched the Internet and found that there could several of those lines. Outside of that I really don't know or care what the others are? Right? Anything there that would effect Netscape?

 

Hi vegaspat,

Closing Netscape with the End Tasks, is much better than rebooting. I have seen other users describe this behavior in Netscape. The fix for the "Phantom" Netscape is to disable "Empty Trash on Exit ", which you have done...

As to how many programs you have running, and listed in Tasks, is unique to each user, and how many programs they have open. I usually have 10+ listed, if I only have one browser open. NAV has two listings, ZoneAlarm has two listings, System Tray, Explorer, and Mouse are constants. Rnaap if online, etc. There shouldn't be anything else there that would have an effect on Netscape.

I did see a thread on the Netscape NG similar to yours, and the user was able to access Mail again by changing the Theme back to Classic. Are you by chance using a Theme other than Classic or Modern? If so, then change it back to either Classic or Modern.

If you continue to have problems, and none of the suggested solutions have helped, then I would definitely create a new Profile for Netscape 7.01.

Ramona

 

Hi vegaspat and Ramona

Have been following your thread and see some glimpses of de' javue. "Phanton lockups" I feel are somewhat of a dynamic exposure, which naturally make them difficult to isolate. My N7 PopUps are inactive and using Modern theme. I have been able to REDUCE the phanton strikes (one event/100+ hours N7 loaded) by adjusting how many "check for mail event cycles occur ". For my ISP email it... check at startup enabled (does not work/known problem), check for new messages every "20" minutes and autoload new messages. For Netscape WEBmail... Check for new mail at statup and nothing else. IF you are using "check for new messages every xx minutes" first clear the "minute value field" BEFORE you disable (remove) the tick for this option. If not, it will contine to check/download new messages with no tick in the "check for new messages every xx minutes..
NOW WHY... My suspicions... all of the above activity during the "call event" has N7 mail client(s) in a wait/hold loop. Affected files/programs are waiting for a process to occur. My ISP (cable) will NOT always return an "request ack" and N7 sit's in this wait/hold loop for very long periods of time. N7 WEBmail futher complicates the problem with offsite file update demands. Even the timing rarity of N7 WEBmail auto message update's as you exit N7 is a wait/hold loop begging to happen. My solution has been to reduce the call event cycle. It is when N7 email is most fragile... and of course burning that CD at the same time just adds to the mix.