Migrating mail from Netscape 7.2 to Thunderbird 2.0.0.6

I need to migrate the email from Netscape 7.2 to Thunderbird 2.0.0.6. I tried to apply the answer to a previous post for Netscape 7.1 to Thunderbird 0.9 posted in 2005.

It worked fine for the Address book, but when I follow the procedure for the mail folders by copying from the Netscape 7.2 files to the Thunderbird files, the folders do appear when I open Thunderbird, but the mail in the folders isn't visible.
Can anyone help me on this.
Thanks,
Abeatspark

 

You should have been given a choice, on installation, to import your settings from the mail of your choice. However, I never did that, so I am not so how efficient the process is.
I don't know which reply was used, but I don't know what went wrong.
In my experience, what should be working very smoothly does not. That's why I reject the word migrate. That means to do a lot with one click. I have seen it work in some cases, but it is more efficient to plod along, doing things the slow way. I got to be good enough that I can get all mail of up to ten accounts from one program to another in half hour or so.
I do the following:1. I set up the accounts which I want, in the new program, as if it was the first time.
2. I rename the basic files of the old program, like Inbox, or Sent to something like Inbox2, and Sent2.
3. I copy the renamed files, and paste them into the account folder(s) of the new program.
4. If there are subfolders, copy the Inbox.sbd folder, and paste it in the same account.
5.Do not bother with the .msf files of the old account. I delete even the .msf files in the subfolder.
6. All this was done from Windows Explorer, with both programs closed.
When you reopen the new program, you should see the pasted folders, with the mail in them. When you log in you should get the mail which is on server, on the new program Inbox.
7. It is best to export the address book(s) as .ldif files, and store them somewhere. Since I have several ABs this is very handy.
And, remember the .msf files should not copy/pasted.

 

Welcome to the Forum, Abeatspark!

Abeatspark,

The easiest way to copy Mail from Netscape 7.2 to Thunderbird:

First:
Set up ALL your Mail Accounts in Thunderbird

Next:
Close Thunderbird, and open Windows Explorer

Copy the Netscape 7.2 Mail folder
Paste it into the Thunderbird xxxxxxxx.profilename folder, it's that simple.

Open TB and your Mail will be intact.

 

It is a simple way, which I never tried. Just to keep things straight, we are talking about the Mail folder in the .slt folder used by NS7.2 (App.Data|mozilla|profiles, while the Thunderbird xxxxxxxx.profilename is in another location, also in App.data.

 

Thanks for the help - "simplest" is still hard for me

and also from Westside:
It is a simple way, which I never tried. Just to keep things straight, we are talking about the Mail folder in the .slt folder used by NS7.2 (App.Data|mozilla|profiles, while the Thunderbird xxxxxxxx.profilename is in another location, also in App.data.
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Thanks for all the replies.
I was able to do it, but a lot of caution is required. Because there are similarly named folders, the ".slt" clue was vital.
Regards,
Abe

 

I had an interesting experience using this method to get mail set up in Seamokey1.1.4 for which I had created a new profile. I had an unexpected complication, because I had renamed the mail account folders. It is so much easier to keep track of the right account, if I use Cox, Cox2, etc, instead of pop.central.cox.net, pop.central.cox.net-1, and then if one cancel an account, and then put it back in, there may be a -2 which is the same as number -1, except for the lack of mail. All five accounts of mine were set up, then I changed to the local directory to the renamed account names. But, I had only mail on the server. So, I had to rename the old files, and copy/paste the present Inboxes, etc. Then I selected all e-mail from the past, and moved it to the present Inbox. But, having all the Mail in one folder made my efforts easier.

 

Abe,

Glad to hear that all went well. Now, make a copy of your entire Thunderbird folder, and save it to a "Backup" folder, or external media. Do this frequently and you will never have to worry about losing any profile data.

 

What is Seamokey?

Thanks for this information. Hopefully, I won't be migrating mail again as we will be dispensing with NS 7.2 after "migrating" the email.

Small correction: Should Seamokey be SeaMonkey?
Regards,
Abeatspark

 

I did a lousy job of spellchecking. Yes, it is SeaMonkey, not Seamokey. But, I use Seamonkey, mainly out of convenience.
And, although I usually post Addons (Extentions), the correct name is Add-on.
I am going to trap that mokey, though.