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I need to export my Tbird folders from a machine that will no longer access the web - there is no simple way that I can find - all clues appreciated

  • 4 replies
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  • Last reply by MustangHV

MustangHV
MustangHV
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AARRGGH! My HP Pavilion will not access the web and I need to copy all my Tbird stuff out to USB stick then to another machine. Then I can reload the HP from OEM disc and start again. There seems to be no easy way to do the export, or even a difficult way when you have no net on the machine. Perhaps I am missing something, but why is it so hidden? All references so far say "use help" - can't as no web etc! Very frustrating. There appears to be no user account on the outgoing machine either. Have I been clobbered by a nasty? Any and all help much appreciated. Thanks

AARRGGH! My HP Pavilion will not access the web and I need to copy all my Tbird stuff out to USB stick then to another machine. Then I can reload the HP from OEM disc and start again. There seems to be no easy way to do the export, or even a difficult way when you have no net on the machine. Perhaps I am missing something, but why is it so hidden? All references so far say "use help" - can't as no web etc! Very frustrating. There appears to be no user account on the outgoing machine either. Have I been clobbered by a nasty? Any and all help much appreciated. Thanks

All Replies (4)

Zenos
Zenos
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On the original installation: Close Thunderbird Go to Help|Troubleshooting Information Click Profile Folder→Open Folder

That will open your "profile" (in your file manager) where all your messages and settings are stored. Navigate up one or two levels until you are can see a folder named Thunderbird.

Note the location.

Copy that Thunderbird folder and all its subfolders to a USB memory stick or similar.

On the repaired machine (or a new machine): Close Thunderbird (if open). Navigate to the local equivalent of the location you noted. It will be hidden by default, so you may need to enable viewing of hidden folders. Copy your Thunderbird folder in to it from the USB memory stick. Start Thunderbird…

MustangHV
MustangHV Question owner
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Thank you for your help. I may be a bit thick here, but having closed Tbird, where do I find the Help/Troubleshooting button, please?

Zenos
Zenos
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No, you're not thick. Sorry, my mistake. I got that all in the wrong order.

On the original installation:

  1. Go to Help|Troubleshooting Information
  2. Click Profile Folder→Open Folder
  3. Close Thunderbird

If we copy the profile while Thunderbird is open, we also copy a lock file that says the profile is "busy" and thus will stop your copy being opened on the new installation. Other files may currently be open, with their contents held in memory and so won't be updated until Thunderbird closes and refreshes them. Therefore we need Thunderbird closed before working on its profile.

Modified by Zenos

MustangHV
MustangHV Question owner
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Hello again,

Brilliant! That has worked and I now have Tbird on the other machine with all my stuff. Now to set to work on the other machine - back to OEM status as even a system restore has not helped. Many thanks for a quick resolution to the problem.