I just did the loop again. the instructions say .. close TBird, do a bunch of stuff (Create a new profile and copy the old one over it; Modify profiles.ini to point to the new location), then open Tbird again. When I open TBird, it creates a new profile automatically, not reading off what is the only profile in the folder. So, I have to again, fill in the blanks to create a new account, and then do this (Account Settings -> Server Settings page, and use the "Browse" button to update its location) .. and that gives me the format mentioned with photo in my last message here .. everything listed to the left, where it should just be email folders. So, I hope you can help me to get it working, as I have no one and no place left to turn. Thanks so much. you're an angel! This help you give people is awesome ..

I also have in Profiles, the last new default profile that TBird created, with just the basics in there. Yesterday I selected every thing in the backed up file, to copy/paste into a new default profile, telling it to replace new with old, thinking that would carry over all the correct settings, etc. .. but it did not work. Perhaps I "missed" something, so do you think I should try that process again? thanks.

In the Pic, you will see everything listed where normally just our email folders are listed; and yes, the email folders, address books, etc. are showing, but I can not access anything.

You apparently did do something wrong. What you see in the folder pane is the contents of your profile. It's not supposed to look like this.

As said before, I'm struggling to follow what you're doing, and I'm not under the impression this trial and error is doing you any good.

I'm wondering if you follow the instructions as described in the article. In the 'Use the Profile Manager to move your profile' section - that's the part you're supposed to follow - I don't see anywhere where you're requested to create a new profile. So why are you creating new profiles over and over in the first place?

There are other methods mentioned underneath the 'Other ways' section, but you were not supposed to do these.

Starting from scratch ...

• What profile directories do you see in the file system now?
• What's the contents of profiles.ini?
• What's the name of your backed up profile?

Please be specific, and PLEASE, stop creating new profiles.

Thanks. Answering your questions in order:

1. 1 - Profile directories:

9f4cqdgq.default is the last new one created by TBird (see below) immediately when it opens, not me. So, it is "clean"; I've done nothing to it. It was created by TBird, AFTER following instructions down below in this message.

hkxc2v67.default is the current profile containing my backed up info .. and it comes DIRECTLY from my External Back-up drive.

9f4cqdgq.default

Profiles.ini:

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/9f4cqdgq.default

And, this is also strange, because I change Name=default IsRelative=1 to zero; and change the path, as directed, to this hkxc2v67.default.

But, then, following instructions ... "open Tbird.", and immediately TBird dumps a new profile in there! (that's now 9f4cqdgq.default, the last one it created, to which I have done nothing.

When I open TBird, it is again, brand new, and dumps ANOTHER new profile in there! ... and it wants me to make an account (why is the old one not showing?), so I enter my old account name, password, etc., create the account .. and

then I do this (Account Settings -> Server Settings page, and use the "Browse" button to update its location .. hkxc2v67.default) .. and that gives me the format mentioned with photo in my last message here .. EVERYTHING listed to the left, where it should just be email folders. 

I just closed and reopened TBird, and this time it did not create a new profile, but still shows everything listed to the left.

So, that is the only way I get to see my stuff. I am following these instructions, http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Use_the_Profile_Manager_to_move_your_profile

Problem, however is: Use the Profile Manager to move your profile: 1) .." Start the Profile Manager. One way to do that is to type Thunderbird -profilemanager from the run line in Windows Start menu. A window similar to the one shown will open. "

THAT WINDOW IS the 1st pic sent to you .. and it is about Windows, not Mac. Such an window, and choices I have no access to. I do not have a "Windows Start menu" .. so how to continue with that instruction?

2) So, next choice on that page is this: " Other ways ...Create a new profile and copy the old one over it." and it is followed by this instruction: "Modify profiles.ini to point to the new location", which I also do.

SO, I AM NOT creating the new profiles. That instruction says to close TBird, do some things, then open TBird .. immediately TBird dumps a new profile in there!

RE: Create a new profile and copy the old one over it." So, I have done this in two ways ..(1) just as those words say, and telling it to replace new with old. and (2) delete contents and insert the old.

This one Instruction I have avoided .. seems to tricky ... Transferring data to a new profile - Thunderbird http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile__Thunderbird

         yet, on that webpage, they also say: 

"Create a new profile!! Create a new profile, if you haven't done so already. To do this, completely close Thunderbird by choosing File -> Exit (or Quit). Use the Profile Manager to create a new profile. Make note of the name you give to the new profile so you can distinguish between the old and the new. Then completely close Thunderbird."

So, how to stop creating new profiles, and just have my old profile and data showing properly. Why can I not drag the old from the external back up, and have it work. My backup program (SuperDUper) says we can do a direct drag and drop. It would be nice to have some clear directions .. JUST FOR THE MAC!

Thanks for hanging in with me. LOTS of Gold stars to you!!

because I change Name=default IsRelative=1 to zero;

That would explain why Thunderbird creates a new profile upon start-up. I don't think you have been advised to mess with profiles.ini, so why are you doing that?

Just to re-cap based on the information above: 9f4cqdgq.default is a fresh profile, with no accounts set-up.

hkxc2v67.default is your backed up profile, containing all your mail, address book, and account information.

and change the path, as directed, to this hkxc2v67.default.

You were supposed to do that via profile manager, not manually editing profiles.ini. Forget about it for now.

So, next choice on that page is this: " Other ways ...Create a new profile and copy the old one over it."

That is a different method, and you were not supposed to do that, so I have no idea why you tried it. In any case, you should try the following now:

• Close Thunderbird.
• Copy the contents of the backed up profile folder hkxc2v67.default (its files and subfolders) into the previously created 9f4cqdgq.default directory.
• Start Thunderbird.

If there is anything you don't understand with these three steps, please ask before doing anything else.

"Modify profiles.ini to point to the new location", which I also do.

You were not supposed to do that and I haven't told you to do so.

It would be nice to have some clear directions .. JUST FOR THE MAC!

The instructions are pretty clear, and there are specific instructions for the Mac as well.

Thanks. All the things I did were on that instruction pages which you sent to me. BEFORE I DO ANYTHING (because I have done this a variety of times and ways) please advise which way to do this:

So, if copying from backed up into the 9f4c etc.(copy paste or drag and drop) it will ask me do I want to replace new with Old? I've done this before, and chose to keep the old, thinking that folder had all the proper formating, etc.

So this time, do you want me to keep the new?

re: profile manager In Mac, called terminal

it only tells if a file exists, or not . but no option to do anything after that. The window which comes up only shows this.... Last login: Mon Sep 15 16:01:54 on ttys000 You have mail. macmini:~ ananda$

and then when I enter this string from the directions you sent ..

   /Applications/Thunderbird.app/Contents/MacOS/thunderbird -profilemanager 

It will tell if the account exists or not.

thanks again .. my gut is now starting to relax a bit.

All the things I did were on that instruction pages which you sent to me.

Sure, but once again, you were not supposed to carry out all of them, just one specific section.

it will ask me do I want to replace new with Old?

Overwrite whatever is in 9f4cqdgq.default with the contents from hkxc2v67.default.

Last login: Mon Sep 15 16:01:54 on ttys000 You have mail.

That's the local mail spooler on your Mac, it has got nothing to do with the account you set up in Thunderbird.

/Applications/Thunderbird.app/Contents/MacOS/thunderbird -profilemanager

I have no idea why this didn't work, may be you installed Thunderbird at a different location.

Thanks. I just looked, and TBird is in apps folder. I've tried that profile manager thing several times, and that's all it gave.

I did what you said .. and I am now in TEARS!!!

TEARS OF GRATEFULNESS for you staying with me on this. I have been feeling my entire life slipping away these past few days, ... 10 yrs history of VERY IMPORTANT emails, addresses, for all I do in this country and India (lots of social work in India, supported by my business here) .. I have never felt so lost and alone trying to do this. I am in a bath of tears .. at 70 years age in such gratefulness to you for this.

May you forever live in bliss, peace and joy .. knowing as you do know, what a valueable gift you are to humanity!! all the best, Jai Ma, Ananda

Glad to hear you got it working. Make sure to continue creating backups of your profile folder on a regular basis. You may also delete those profiles created in error.

thanks again. I now shifted my external backup to daily, from 3 times per week, and have made a separate copy from the profile as it now is. You are obviously a wonderful gift to the Mozilla community. Blissings and blessings, ananda