"Lost mail"

(The sticky for lost mail wasn't there the last time I was here - and have now just noticed it - I I've taken a look but would still like a small push toward identifying and accessing the old mail)

Looks like I messed up.

Was searchuing old Netscape 4 mailboxes and doing that seemed to corrupt Netscape 7.1 so no longer responded - never loaded.

Figured I should reinstall 7.1 to C drive - and did - result is all accounts disappeared - recreated but Netscape mail will now only try to import from Netscape 4 (don't need to do that) - and Eudora and Outlook - but doesn't look for old 7.1 mail which has been kept on F drive.

How can I access this old mail on F drive on this re-installed 7.1 - ?

(This computer is about to be re-invented with new parts, drives, etc. and intend to use Mozilla after that is done - but need to use this system and access the old mail just at this moment)

 

Was asking about the address book - but it looks like the new profile found it by itself.

 

Rob,

With Netscape and Quick Launch closed:

First, make a backup of your Profiles folder on both drives to ensure nothing is lost in editing.

Open Windows Explorer, and access the Mail Account folder on the F: drive. Rename the Inbox file to OldInbox and copy the file, then paste the file into the Mail Account folder of Netscape 7.1 on the C: drive.

By renaming the file, you won't overwrite any existing Mail. Do the same for Sent, Drafts, etc.

Also copy any SBD folders, as these are the subfolders of your Mail (if you have created any).
Do NOT copy any files with an .msf extension, e.g., Inbox.msf.
Also delete any .msf files contained in the subfolders.

This will be the cleanest way to consolidate all your Mail.

The Address Book file is abook.mab, you can copy and paste the file from F: to C:.

Let us know if you have further questions.

 

Thanks much!

Have not started yet - as last boots not yielding access to F - but will happen

Question though - is there any place on 'accounts' and/or 'prefs' that one can choose where email is 'stored' - ?

One person said should just go 'there' - and pick location.

But I have not seen such a choice - but do wonder how system could have been configured originally so that email stored on F - where does this choice exist when originally 'setting up?'

+++

What is the latest 'regular' Mozilla version? Has it been accepted as relatively 'bug free?'

 

By default the Mail folder is a subfolder of the Profiles folder. Depending on your OS, the default location is:

Windows 2000/XP
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles

Windows 98/ME
C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles

That your Mail was located on the F: drive could only mean that it was manually moved to that drive.

You can move the Mail folder anywhere you like. What you must do, however, is to point to the location of the newly created Mail folder from within the Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings:

Open the Mail window
Click on: Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings
In the right panel, scroll down to the "Local directory" field.
Ensure that the field has the correct path to the Mail folder
If you created a C:\Mail folder, and moved your Mail to that location, then that is the path that should be entered in the "Local directory" field.

If changing the storage location for more than one account, create a separate folder for each account.

Copy your mail files, in the existing profile folder, to the new location. For each account you want to move, find that account's folder in the "Mail" folder (POP3 accounts) or the "ImapMail" folder (IMAP accounts) and copy its entire contents, including all of its subfolders, to the new location.

If you have more than one mail account, repeat the above steps for each account whose mail you moved to a new location.

Restart Thunderbird to see the changes. Once you're certain that Thunderbird recognizes the new location of your mail, you can go back and delete the mail files from your profile folder.

The most current Mozilla version is 1.7.12, and is an official Release. You can download here: http://www.mozilla.org/releases/

Security fixes can be viewed here: http://www.mozilla.org/projects/security/known-vulnerabilities.html

Let us know if you have further questions.

 

Thanks again

Really feel like I am ALMOST 'starting' to understand the Netscape jungle

But here's some good news AND bad news

I was actually able to find 'email 2005' in the C/Documents and Settings directory - somehow I had succeeded in creating a completely new profile (by accident?) and seemingly it did not write over old one - so I renamed this old email I found as 'inbox2005' - and copied it to the present profile.

It is quite visible there as 'inbox2005' in the list with 'Sent' 'Drafts' etc - but when clicked yields NO emails as if it can't read them.

I 'read' it via 'notepad' and the 'inbox2005' is quite full - as evidenced by tons of 'notepad' gibberish.

The icons in the list do look a bit different - the inbox with the profile - the one that was immediately active with the new profile - has an icon with a small red 'sled' under it

The icon for 'inbox2005' has no red whatever under it

(I wonder where there is a legend to these icons?)

So while I have found the 'lost mail' - and located directories etc - it can't yet be read

??

++

I also try to put in other files that I think are email files - but they don't show up at all in the lists in left hand lists along with drafts, templates, etc - somehow inbox2005 shows there - even if non-readable - but I would think these others from earlier years should at least 'show' in the same way because from what I know these other 'files' should be generically the same as inbox2005

all these email files are Netscape 7.1 items

 

Rob,

Open the Mail Window:

In Preferences | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings

Scroll down to the "Local directory" field. Insert the path to the ORIGINAL Profile where you found the Inbox2005. But first, rename the Inbox2005 back to its original name.

 

Well - here's a case where something works but I have got no idea how it does - and because I don't understand what's happening - it's going to make it difficult to end up with a 'solution'

It turns out that the 'profile' was trying to read the file - even when it was called 'inbox2005' - as I now recall seeing what I saw after I renamed it 'inbox' - the original name pointed to by the 'path' (recall seeing the 'creating ...' as I mention below)

Anyhow when it tried to read it as inbox it said 'creating summary file' etc - but then said 'error' and shut off - the inbox is 324 MB.

So I took an old file for just one month - removed the 'large' inbox - and put in the small monthly file - and changed it's name to 'inbox' - and it was readable - and even the icon got the red sled

BUT - being puzzled by the 'renaming' necessity - I changed the name back to 072003 in the 'local directory' directory in Win Explorer - BUT - the name does not change under local directory in the emmail window and continues to read the mail - even if I close the mail and open again - 072003 does not show in the 'list' in email window - even if that is the name under local directory in WinExpl

I'm hoping for an answer here that I understand because my problem is how do I read 8 years of old emails in one program - I can't see how I can get this 'path' process pointing to everythuing unless I would build a tree under the one 'pointed to' directory in this path - and seemingly something somewhere is saying it HAS to be named 'inbox'

I also have the problem of some large files which would seem to have to actually being read at least once so I can break them down if that is best for future stable use - so how to read 'large' iboxes? (maybe the new Mozilla wd not have the same problem?)

 

PS - I should have said that when the mail window opens now - with a differently named 'inbox' (in the mail window local directory) than what the 'local directory' under WinExp shows - it reads but is showing the hourglass as if all is not right (which it isn't)

Throughout - I have written 'local directory' - it should be 'local folders'

Also - the hourglass disappears when I renamed 072003 as 'inbox'

The question remains - why can't one read all the files under 'local folders' on the computer (as read in WinExpl) - under the 'local folders' section in email window - ?

 

When viewing the 324 MB Inbox in WE, is there an Inbox.msf file? If so, delete that Inbox.msf file. In fact, delete ALL MSF files in the Mail Account folder, i.e., Inbox.msf, Sent.msf, Templates.msf, Drafts.msf.......

The size of the Inbox gives me great cause for concern, because it is much too large. The "red sled" is normal... If we can get that Inbox to open, then the first thing you need to do is to create another folder with subfolders, and copy that 324 MB out of the Inbox. The Inbox is not intended for archiving, and should be kept lean. I always advise to not let it build beyond 1 MB. I hope you will be able to recover the Mail, but no guarantee with an Inbox that size...

Did you also exit Netscape, and not just the Mail window? You must also exit the browser for the edit to write to the prefs.js file.

You need to copy the Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Templates files (assuming you have messages in the folders) from ALL Profiles to the existing Profile, but first giving them a unique name in order not to overwrite existing Mail. Inbox1, Inbox2, Inbox3, Sent1, Sent2, etc. Do not copy the MSF files from other Profiles. An MSF will be built when opening the renamed file in the existing Profile. (We hope!)

Once all mail is in one Profile, then the Server Settings | Local directory path should point to that Profile.

Answered above, and you would have the same problem in Mozilla, as I believe that it is the size which causes the problem.

Try deleting all the MSF files, then get all your Mail in one Profile as outlined above, then let us know what is happening.

 

Thanks

Will get on it in the morning - but can say already:

1. yes - have 'msf' files - will delete - but what are they there for?

2. yes - forgot I had to close Netscape and all associates

3. but still don't understand why 072003 was not understood by itself - and had to have its name changed to 'inbox' - can't email files and directories be named freely? (subject to normal restrictions)

4. the 342 MB file is actually a directory which is divided into 6-7 months - can be accessed in parts - still big - but not THAT big. But does still have me anxious about the naming and pointing game. Am hoping can be 'individualized - let's see

but am wondering how you are limiting inbox stuff to 1MB in your 'operations' - the 'average' family picture or video email these days is close to 10mb - and even Yahoo permits 10mb mails

And if one archives emails on CD's etc - there should be a sensible way to access and read them from archives without creating all kinds of profiles, copying them, renaming them and files, etc. Why in heavens name isn't there a simple 'email reader' system. I can understand all the special paraphenalia for receiving them - but once they are stored it should be sensible to be able to just read them conveniently. Have I got something wrong here?

 

Rob,

1. The MSF files are summary files created by Netscape. When loading the mail, these files give Netscape/Mozilla/Thunderbird the header information. Your actual messages (including all headers) is stored in the file with no extension (unix format). These files can be safely deleted, and are regenerated on restart of the Browser. They frequently become corrupt, and why it is the first suggested workaround when a Mail problem exists. These files are especially prone to damage if you are running Quick Launch.

Some of the first indications of trouble are:
- Mail or news headers are downloaded but nothing is viewable
- Lost count of how many news/mail messages are unread
- Other strange phenomena

2. O.K., now you are aware.

3. When you renamed the Inbox to 072003, then did you delete the Inbox.msf file? I just tried renaming my Netscape Inbox to 072003, deleted the Inbox.msf file, and when I opened Netscape the file was listed with mail intact.

4. Good! It shouldn't be a problem to create subfolders.

I don't keep any Mail in my Inbox, once read, or answered. I archive the Mail to subfolders, thereby keeping the Inbox free for new incoming... I keep NO video, or large images in the Mail folder. Those all go to the HDD. I also archive my main account on CD, which can be read from within Mail & Newsgroups. See this page: Archive & Access Netscape/Mozilla Mail on CD. Also works for Thunderbird.

I don't think you're misunderstanding anything, Rob. I'm just giving you some suggestions, and whether or not you follow them is up to you.

 

I'm still trying to work things out - haven't been able to attack 'full time' yet

But one question now:

I see I also have a lot of older mail - created with Netscape 4 - that is carrying sbd and snm tags.

Could you explain what are these and how should they be handled? Thanks

 

Something else I'm not understanding. On the mail window there is a left column with Trash Drafts etc - it is divided into 2 parts - above - and then lower part under 'Local Folders' - it seems 'custom' folders are coming under 'local folders' - is there any way to 'access' the space ABOVE 'local folders other than via adding via 'file'? (guess I'm asking if it is anyplace on WEx)

 

Ignore the .snm files, which are the header files. Only the files with no extentions should be handled. The .sbd folders are subfolders. If there is any .snm file in them, it should be deleted. .msf files are the equivalent the new programs.This can be done after the .sbd folder has been copied and pasted.
However mail from NS4.x can be imported without going to the hard drive.
I don't quite understand the next post, or more precisely this part: to 'access' the space ABOVE 'local folders. What do you want to do, there?

 

I don't quite understand the next post, or more precisely this part: to 'access' the space ABOVE 'local folders. What do you want to do, there?

Nothing that can't be done in the Local Folders in practice - but just trying to figure out WHERE that stuff is on the computer so that I would understand - maybe - a bit more of how the mail is working - since does not seem to be 'visible' in the WinExpl 'tree'

 

Do you mean that you cannot see the account file/folders? I guess that this information did not come through, in the previous e-mails.

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
4. Disable "Hide File Extensions for Known Files. "
5. Click OK.

 

Rob,

SNM file definition is exactly the same as the MSF file. SBD extension is the subfolder file, i.e., the folders you create in addition to the default folders.

When you create a new folder, you are given the choice where it is to be assigned. You have the choice where to place the new folder.

If you right click the Mail Account name in the left column, the context menu gives you the choice of "New Folder ". The new folder would be listed below the default Trash folder

If you right click the Inbox in the left column, the context menu gives you the choice of "New Folder ". The new folder would be listed below the default Inbox folder. However, it will be listed in Windows Explorer as an SBD folder.


If you right click any other folder in the left column, the context menu gives you the choice of "New Subfolder ". The new subfolder would be listed below that folder.

All these choices are listed in the Mail Account folder in Windows Explorer. See this Screen Shot: http://home.att.net/~mojol/folders.jpg

I created two folders of the Mail Account: Family and Friends
I created two folders of the Inbox: Business and Personal
I created two SUBfolders of the Sent: Business and Personal
All this is viewable, as you can see in the screen shot.

Now, in Windows Explorer, the "Local Folders" has its own folder, and contents are listed within this folder.

If you are asking, can you move messages, that you have created in Local Folders to a folder in the Mail Account, the answer is yes. You can do this from within Netscape.