Netscape 6.2 Mail issues with XP

Being a long time Netscape Mail user, I tried running an earlier version of Netscape 4.X when I installed XP about 7 months ago.
I ran into problems with that and installed Netscape 6.

Now I'm having a problem with the Mail program not remembering my inbox's viewing preferences (the display of status, priority, unread, flag, etc.). Everytime I open my mail I have to deselect those items that I find unnecessary and annoying.

Anyway, this is a continuation of various workarounds to make 6 perform more like 4. I'm currently running 6.2.2, but I'm considering going to 4.79 (I just read it is XP compatible).

Can anyone suggest an "easy" fix to the display issue? I've already looked at several JS files, and I do not have Mozilla installed.

 

Welcome to the Forum!

Hello dwoods1,

I would urge you to download and install Netscape Communicator 4.79 and use Messenger for your Mail & NG's, and as your default browser.

Netscape 6.2.2 is great to experiment with, but the Mail and News program leaves much to be desired. Remember, it is a work in progress, and there are many features not yet enabled, nor stable. I had similar problems to yours with my settings, and that is why I use 4.79 as my default browser.

You can download 4.79 at these sites:

http://sillydog.org/narchive/
ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub/communicator/english/
http://home.netscape.com/download/index.html?cp=pi1

If you have further issues, or more questions, please post back, and we will be more than willing to help!

Ramona

 

Thanks Ramona,

That's what I thought I needed to do. But, since you've been there...

Please advise me on the process. Should I uninstall N6 first? Do I just need to copy bookmarks, address book (nab.na2?), Inbox, Sent, Drafts, and let the install generate the rest?

I'm on a home network with XP, W2K, ME & 98SE. Only my XP machine has N6. BTW, I'm at work now so I'm not sure what the address book file name is in N6. Can it be exported to N4 or do I need to use a utility like Dawn5.1?

Thanks again,
DW

 

Hi DW,

If you still want to experiment with NS6, there is a Standalone Version at the SillyDog701 site, i.e., no Mail/News component, AOL, players, etc. and is only 8.6 MB.

First, I would copy the Profiles folder. Then you have all pertinent user information backed up.

Address Book: (abook.mab)
Yes, you will need Dawn

Bookmarks:
Copy the Netscape 6 bookmarks.html file to your 4.79's
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\yourusername folder

Then rename the 4.79 bookmark.htm file to Xbookmark.htm.

Now, rename the NS6 bookmarks.html file to bookmark.htm

The Mail files (the ones with no extensions) are the same format in both programs, and may be directly copied from one mail directory to the other, in Windows Explorer.

Netscape 6.x profile data is in C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\

I think I've covered your questions, but if not, lemmeno.

Ramona

 

dwoods1,

Are you talking about the MySidebar and the default webpage when you opened Netscape Mail (6.xx)?

For the MySidebar to be closed by default, you have to go to View (menu bar) then deselect My Sidebar.

To disable default webpage when you open open Netscape Mail, you can simply change it from Preference.

I would not urge you to download Netscape Communicator 4.79 as your default mail/news and browser, of course you are welcome to do so; however I would recommend you to create backups of your profile from time to time.

 

Antony,

The settings DW refers to are his Inbox settings. A right click in the upper right pane, on the far right arrow, has a pull down menu with these settings listed. They don't "stick ". At least mine don't, and obviously neither do DW's.

I would not urge you to download Netscape Communicator 4.79 as your default mail/news and browser.

I don't happen to agree with your opinion, but thank goodness we live in a free world and can agree to disagree! I would, however, like to hear your reasons for making this recommendation.

I hope we won't confuse DW!

Ramona

 

My Netscape 6 Mail Inbox settings sticks, as it should be. (fact)
Tested with closing Mail windows and exiting entire Netscape 6.2.2

My reason for Netscape 6.2.2 Mail is simply that it integrates better with WindowsXP. You can set Netscape Mail and in the place of where OutLook Express in the Windows XP Startup menu. The Internet and E-Mail.
And in the user login page, Windows XP can display the number of unread e-mails in the Inbox of your Netscape 6.xx Mail.

 

Thanks Antony!

My main interest is to give our Members the most accurate information available. I certainly do appreciate your input.

Ramona

 

Thanks all for your input on this matter. I haven't had a chance to switch, but after a 7 month experiment, I've wasted too much time trying to "fix" Netscape 6. Ramona is right about the settings not "sticking." It is extemely annoying when you tweak something and it won't stay that way. I'm not sure when it broke - it didn't always behave this way. I've updated it, but I am unwilling to do a clean install of it. Enough is enough.

I agree that N6 does go better with XP - it's the only machince I've used N6 on (my 5 other PC's/laptops have N4.7 and/or Lotus Notes). I typically use IE for web browsing - most notably for print preview and full screen capability. For security reasons, I've always preferred Netscape mail over Outlook.

Thanks again.

DW

 

Thanks DW for your comments on XP. Let us know when you experience 4.79 with XP. I'll be interested in the outcome.

Thanks,

Ramona

 

Ramona,

I don't have a "mozilla\profiles" folder. User profile info was left in the traditional (Netscape) place when I upgraded N4.7 to N6.1 in October 2001.

This is the version info for N6...

Netscape 6.2.2
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:0.9.4.1) Gecko/20020314 Netscape6/6.2.2

I just installed N4.79 to a different directory, but the mail install located the N6 profile, and didn't create a new one.

I have one significant unresolved issue...N4.79 will only open mail from Jan 2000 to Oct 2001. This problem persists even after I moved and changed the reference to the inbox file. The same inbox file is still complete when viewed in N6.2. I deleted it and the program it created a new one 0Kb. I deselected an option prohibiting downloads of more than 500 messages, then copied the 100Mb (~1000 messages) inbox file back. The same result was reproduced. ;-(

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your consideration,
DW

 

DW,
Your Netscape 6 profile is located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profile_name\salted_name

By default, Application Data is hidden by Windows XP.

More info, please visit http://sillydog.org/netscape/kb/plocation.html

 

Hi DW,

I just installed N4.79 to a different directory, but the mail install located the N6 profile, and didn't create a new one.

Netscape 4.79 would not have automatically converted 6.2 Mail files to 4.79. That is only done in the reverse, i.e., 6.2 automatically converts 4.x profile directories. You do have to manually copy your Mail, and Bookmarks back to 4.79.

Your Mail files (the ones with no extensions) are the same format in both programs, and may be directly copied from one mail directory to the other, in Windows Explorer.

As Antony explains, the Netscape 6.x profile data is in \windows\application data\mozilla\profiles.

The directory Application Data may be hidden on some Windows platforms (such as Windows 2000 and XP). If this is the case, the user should follow these steps to see it:
1. Open the View menu for the Mozilla directory and choose Options.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Under Hidden Options, click "Show all files ". "

Let me just quickly add, I would be archiving those messages. That's a lot of mail to risk losing!

I moved and changed the reference to the inbox file.

You changed the reference to the inbox in what way? All you need to do is copy the files with no extension.

What you can do, and I have done it, so I know it works:

With Netscape 6.2 and 4.79 closed:

Back up both Profiles

Open Notepad and browse to your 6.2 Mail folder. Open the INBOX file (with no extension), highlight the entire contents, right click and select copy. Close the file.

Open Notepad and browse to your 4.79 Mail folder. Open the INBOX file (with no extension). Paste the contents of the 6.2.2 Inbox file into the 4.79 Inbox file. Click on File | Save, and close Notepad.

Your 4.79 Inbox folder should now be complete. This is the long way around, but it does work. Back up those Profiles frequently, DW.

See HERE for some preventive maintenance tips!

Let us know how it goes.

Ramona

 

Thanks Anthony & Ramona,

The old mail files were those which were incorporated in N6 during its installation. I mistakenly thought the mail folder within the Netscape directory was current. The mail install located those old files and didn't bother creating them under the new directory I selected to install N4.79.

I always show all files, but didn't realize explorer wouldn't search my own profile. Once you're within it, it will. I did a straight copy of "inbox" & "sent" from the mozilla profile to the current N4 profile.

I think everything is fine now. Messenger opens and closes and looks the way I want it to! Thanks again

DW

 

Hi DW,

So glad that you have your Mail files where they should be. Keep those babies backed up!

Ramona