Status of Mozbackup 1.5.1 / Imap acct files incrementing - delete? [mozbackup should never be used]
All - there are enough questions on backups/restores that I don't want to load everyone down with an involved question, I'll try to keep it simple:
1- Using Mozbackup utility - appears to generally work fine and handy but continues to a) restore old accounts long gone (i.e. not present in Accounts list when backup file created with Mozbackup and b) does not restore complete set of new accounts (via Imapmail\*.com account files I take it). I am guessing that if any *.com account file is still sitting in \ImapMail folder and included in the .pcv file Mozbackup will try to restore this and set it up in Accounts list, so I'm going to try deleting all obsolete account *.com files before I do backup this time. Question remains about the non-restore of newer *.com account files though, which WERE present in \Imapmail folder at make backup.
Also, restore does not carry account server info into new accounts list, just the placeholder account name (in the list in Accounts pane on left). I have to repeatedly re-enter server info, re-establish connection, etc. Deficiency in Mozback or is this a safety thing?
2- see attached pic. Either Mozbackup, or something, is creating number-incremented copies of the account *.com files, with the newest (present time) copy having the highest added -# onto file name. Why is this and is it old to delete earlier/old dated files?
I am getting the feeling that it's safer/wiser to just manually backup-recopy all \Imapmail\*.com files (and *.msf files) into \Imapmail folder as per this post:
Restoring from a backup?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1381072
Any feedback appreciated! jt
Modified by Wayne Mery
Chosen solution
Indeed, mozbackup was great at one time, but it is now an antique and should NEVER be trusted.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (4)
My approach is built on the belief that nothing bad will happen as long as I do backups. So, I would first, - copy the profile elsewhere when Thunderbird is NOT running. (VERY important that TB not be running.) - in profile, rename the highest-numbered profile to be the primary (e.g., imap.zoho-3.com to be imap.zoho.com), deleting the other copies. (This also applies to prefs.js, in case it has multiple offspring). - also delete any remnants left over from prior deletes. - restart thunderbird to see if all is working ok. - for backup, if profile isn't too huge, the tools>export is an easy approach. The approach you linked to is my preference to be able to reinstall to existing PC, done via File Explorer when TB is not running.
I believe mozbackup is obsolete. At least, I wouldn't use it.
Thanks very much for that David. I will discontinue use of Mozbackup. However, still funny file behavior, see attached shot. Actions:
- closed TBird - saved off extra *.com files, renamed highest-increment to generic name - opened Tbird, all connect ok, app re-downloaded new & eariler emails from server/s ok, however, in a couple of the accounts (Mailfence, Zoho), it re-created a new *.com file with -# increment again...why? Notice that Posteo.de account didn't get any new corresponding increment file...why?! 2nd attached shot shows accounts listing.
Pref.js didn't have any extra files. Thanks!
Chosen Solution
Indeed, mozbackup was great at one time, but it is now an antique and should NEVER be trusted.
Thanks much Wayne, never would have known. And BTW the account files have stopped incrementing after the first renumber, still don't know why they're incrementing at all from the original name but all is normal anyway.