Netscape-3 weeks later-Mail Gone!

Windows 2000 Pro - Service Pack 4

I've used Netscape as my primary browser for years without too many problems. However, about 3 weeks ago I upgraded Netscape 7.0 to 7.1. Everything seemed to go smoothly until today.

When launching AOL 9.0, I got the blue screen of death with a physical memory dump. I was then prompted to run scandisk, which I did. The next time I launched Netscape, it behaved as if I'd just installed it and it didn't detect any previous version (so nothing was transferred). This wiped out all of my stored email and preferences.

Preferences are no big deal...but I had email I certainly don't need to lose.

Suggestions on where this may have gone and how to restore or am I just up the creek without a paddle??

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to the Forum, imHope!

Hi imHope,

A Windows crash, or Netscape crash often results in a "lost" Profile. However, you will be able to retrieve your Mail.

Your Profiles are located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profilename\xxxxxxxx.slt
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


Start troubleshooting here:

Mail Settings
In the Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings:
- Disable: Empty Trash on Exit

In the Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings:
- Ensure "Local directory" points to the correct path of your Profile location

Close Netscape:
Corrupt Mail Summary Files
Do a "Find" for files with an MSF extension
Delete all Files
Don't delete files without the MSF extension, as they contain your Mail

If you have a "good" backup of the prefs.js file, copy the backup to your salted folder (xxxxxxxx.slt), replacing the current prefs.js file.

Corrupt Netscape Registry
If no joy and you have no Mozilla, no Mozilla Firebird, and only ONE Netscape Profile:

With Netscape open:
Delete the registry.dat file
- the file is located in:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla
Close Netscape

When you restart Netscape the Profile Manager will ask for a new Profile
Rename using the exact same name as the existing Profile
You may lose some of your Preferences

If none of the above solve your problem, then Create a new Profile.

Post back with any further questions. Once you have Netscape back in operation make frequent backups of your Profile folder. Then in the event of another mishap, you can copy files from your "good" backup.

Ramona