Accessing Thunderbird Mail Config ?

Is there a way to get to about-config in the Thunderbird Mail Client? I am using the latest version but cannot find a way to access it.In searching the net, I found an extension for about-config, but it is for earlier versions I think and probably would not work on my version. Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Vanilla Ice

 

Hi Ice,

I'm using AboutConfig 0.5 with the latest nightly Aviary build (06-17-05) with no problems. To make it easy in FF, just add it as a bookmark (I hate to type when I don't have to ).

 

Thank you Jim. I downloaded the 'about config' extension you shared in your post and then tried to install it in Thunderbird but for some reason it won't install. I am not using FF at all right now, but have the new Netscape 8 set as my default browser and Thunderbird as my default email client. It works pretty good over all, it's the latest version but I can't get any themes or extensions to install in it . I played around with a few, and they ask me if I want to install ithe extension or theme, and then I click install, but nothing ever shows up in the Extensions or Themes tabs as being installed and no message ever tells me the theme or extension is not compatable with the version I am using either. Maybe something is flakey on my computer , who knows Is there any other way to access the 'about config ' in Thunderbird that you know of ? If not, I'm not gonna sweat it. Thanks for trying to help though.

Vanilla Ice

 

Hi Ice,

You haven't said whether you're using an installer build or a zipped build of Thunderbird (and it may not matter), but I'm going to suggest radical surgery ...

1. If you don't already have it, download RegSeeker. It doesn't require installation, as it runs from wherever you unzip it.

2. If you've used an installer version of Thunderbird, uninstall it. If a zipped version, just delete the program folder. Then, delete the contents (if any) of your Tbird profile's Extensions folder.

3. Open RegSeeker, click on "Find in registry ... ", type in thunderbird and click on the "Search!" button. When the search is complete, click on "Select all" at the bottom of the page, then right-click anywhere in the window, select "Delete all selected items" and click on "OK" in the box that opens. This is all reversible, so don't worry about harming anything.

4. Reinstall Tbird. Personally, I prefer to use the nightly zipped Aviary builds, as they don't require installation. They can be located anywhere you wish, as long as any shortcuts point to the executable, and the profile.ini file at C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Application Data\Mozilla\Thunderbird\profiles.ini points to the location of your profile.

NOTE 1: Be aware that you MAY have to run Tbird's profile manager (<path to>thunderbird.exe -p).

NOTE 2: As you probably know, the Tbird nightly release page shows the Aviary builds as "aviary1.0.1 ", but they're really 1.0.4.​

5. Open Tbird, open the Extensions window from the Tools menu, and see if you can install any extension. If you're installing AboutConfig, be aware that, to see the button for it, you have to right-click anywhere on the menubar or toolbar, select "Customize ", and drag the button to the toolbar.​

This procedure has worked for me numerous times, and I hope it solves your problem. Please let us know, either way.

 

Vanilla Ice,

To install about:config in Thunderbird, you must open the Extension Window which is located in Tools | Extensions. Drag the aboutconfig-0.5.xpi file, from the folder where you downloaded the file on your HD, to the Extension Window.

Once installed, you must then restart Thunderbird. Open the Extension Window, and you will see that the extension has been installed. It will be listed in the Tools drop down menu, for easy access.

Ramona

 

See, there's more than one way to skin this bird. That method never even occurred to me. I've always just clicked on the "Install" button at the bottom of the Extensions window, then navigated to whever my desired downloaded extension file was located, and selected it.

BTW, if you have numerous extensions to install in Tbird, Mass Installer makes quick work of the job. In Firefox, Mozilla, and Netscape, Mr. Tech's Local Install beta 4 does the same job even better, with additional features.

 

Jim and Ramona, Thanks for both of your help and instructions.

Ramona, I decided to try Jim's way and just uninstall my version, then clean the registry, with RegSeeker, and do the rest of the housecleaning as he instructed. Then I downloaded the nightly build from the site he gave, as I am thinking if I use the nightly build of TB, if I have any probs, I can start over and it may be a bit easier for a dummie like me to follow Jim's way. Anyhow, I did all that, and then unzipped TB to a designated folder on my D-Drive. I left my profile location where it was, and it all went good,I did not have to create a new anything, thank goodness. I then downloaded the about-config xpi file and a TB theme. They both installed the first time, and they work great. Now, just have to put it on the toolbar as you guys instructed.

Thanks again, to you both for your help in this. Jim, Thanks for the tip on the nightly builds. I had no idea one could still use TB in that manner,(thought the nightlty builds were no longer available for use) but to me it is a good way to stay current with the latest builds of TB. And, thanks for all the other instructons also. You were a big help.

Vanilla Ice

 

Hi Ice,

Glad to hear it all worked for you. The nightly builds I referred you to still use gecko 1.7.8, so they aren't cutting edge (1.8b2 was, last time I looked), but they are stable, which is the important thing for most users.

EDIT: Having said that, I have to admit that I was thinking about Firefox, rather than Thunderbird. The TB Aviary nightlies also use gecko 1.7.8, but whether the "experimental" builds use a more advanced gecko engine, I can't say.