Is this "registry scrubber" working automatically when you power down or reboot the computer? Tools such as CCleaner can cause TB to lose important data if they're not set up properly.

Thanks for your reply, sfhowes!  :)

Good question . . . the answer is, no. I do not use any cleaner/scrubber in an automatic mode. And I while I do use CCleaner, I minimize the default Application "clean" settings for Firefox to include only - Internet Cache, Internet History, Cookies, Download History, Saved Form Information, and Save Passwords.

That being said, prior to posting, my analysis including ensuring the problem was ONLY associated with TB and possibly in tangent with FF - to accomplish this, I did not run any cleaner(s), I simply close the program(s) after each use. To further ensure isolation, all anti-virus, malware/spyware program(s) were disabled. In addition, the only programs running were Microsoft operating system and services.

After reviewing others who have the same problem, I could not find a solution that resolved mine. For that matter, most every other post that was same or similar does not appear to have been resolved. Accordingly, it seems abundantly clear that this is a TB 24 problem - in my case, the problem includes the latest release 24.4.0

Any other thoughts?

Thanks again!

CurlySue  :)

Obviously this is a tangent, but... The forum software detected your Firefox as version 15.0.1. Is that correct?

Version 15 is not secure; Mozilla discloses security flaws after each new release.

If Help > About Firefox shows Firefox 28.0, you may need to clear the preference that is misreporting your version number. See: How to reset the default user agent on Firefox.

Are you using any other software like Advanced SystemCare that might protect some files against changes?

Good question - tried FF25, 26, 27 and 28 - same problem. Why FF15, less problems printing coupons from coupons dot com, redplum, smartsource and target websites (dunno why, but its a fact).

From my previous post -

That being said, prior to posting, my analysis including ensuring the problem was ONLY associated with TB and possibly in tangent with FF - to accomplish this, I did not run any cleaner(s), I simply close the program(s) after each use. To further ensure isolation, all anti-virus, malware/spyware program(s) were disabled. In addition, the only programs running were Microsoft operating system and services.

- and no other anti-spyware.

You say you have modified your CCleaner settings for Firefox, have you done the same with Thunderbird

see http://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/thunderbird-and-ccleaner-or-my-settings.html

I'm glad you asked, Matt.

I was wrong. I have 2 PCs - one XP and the other Windows 7.

I do not use CCleaner on my Windows 7 PC, and confused the issue associated with TB by checking my CCleaner settings used on my XP PC.

My XP PC uses Outlook Express and therefore no need for TB. Windows 7, as you probably already know, does not come with Outlook Express and that is why I chose TB as my email program.

So the answer to your question would be no - because I do not use CCleaner at all.

Thanks for asking - your question brought me back to reality.

CurlySue  :)

Matt,

Specifically, the session.json file found here

C:\Users\Win7PC\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\b9nnzexc.default\session.json

is never deleted and does not change unless I re-enter the password (twice, once for checking email and a second time for sending email) and then the file is updated to reflect the time stamp I re-entered the password.

Then when I reboot, or shutdown and then restart, my PC, while the file date/time stamp remains unchanged, I have to re-enter my password all over again - it is really a drag and I am really getting tired of it, and that's why I hope there is a solution or a fix.

CurlySue  :)

Maybe the files that store passwords are corrupted and can't retain the data between restarts. It's just a guess, but it's easy to test: delete or rename key3.db and signons.sqlite from the profile folder, start TB and enter the password, check the box to remember the password, and see if it now is stored permanently.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Password_Manager#Troubleshooting

Thanks, sfhowes, I will give it a try.

Between now and then, here's what I also know about the session.json file:

After I power on my PC, I check the directory and confirm the session.json file exists - as seen in the first image, which should be TB1.png

Next, when I open TB the session.json file disappears from its' directory - as seen in the first image, which should be TB2.png

After opening TB, once again, I am forced to re-enter my password - twice if I want to send an email - and once I re-enter my password I find that sesson.json reappears in its' directory with an updated time stamp - as seen in the first image, which should be TB3.png

It's likely the file session.json disappears whenever TB is opened - whether TB is healthy (as in bug free) or not healthy (with a problem as I describe), but I thought posting my finding may have some worth. Hope it does!

Thanks again, sfhowes!

CurlySue  :)

Sorry, sfhowes, I followed your suggestion to the letter (deleting both the key3.db and signons.sqlite files) and after shutting down and powering on, when I opened TB the problem remains.

I have attached an image confirming the location of the key3.db file, and an image showing the passwords (one for checking email and the other for sending email - where both are the same) were saved after deleting the files (noted above) as I followed your suggestion to the letter.

Had high hopes your suggest would solve the problem.

Thanks again!

CurlySue  :)

I found this article, not sure there is anything new to check here: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Password_not_remembered_%28Thunderbird%29

Regarding session.json, when I open it in a text editor, it lists the tabs I had open (and what folder they pointed to) before I exited Thunderbird. I don't think session.json is factor in whether the password is retained between sessions.

Thanks for your reply, jscher2000.  :)

I read the same article prior to posting - unfortunately it did not resolve my problem.

After reading your post, I am in complete agreement regarding whether or not session.json is a factor regarding passwords.

Using notepad, I find my TB's session.json reads:

{"rev":0,"windows":[{"type":"3pane","tabs":{"rev":0,"selectedIndex":0,"tabs":[{"mode":"folder","state":{"folderURI":"mailbox://xx-email-address-xx%40gmail.com@pop.googlemail.com/Inbox","folderPaneVisible":true,"messagePaneVisible":true,"firstTab":true},"ext":{"quickFilter":{"filterValues":{"text":{"text":null,"states":{"sender":true,"recipients":true,"subject":true}}},"visible":true}}}]}}]}

While I find the ID associated with the email address that I setup, specifically, mailbox://xx-email-address-xx%40gmail.com@pop.googlemail.com (as noted above), I find nothing regarding my password(s).

That being said, I am currently re-investigating sfhowes' suggestion regarding rename key3.db and signons.sqlite

Thanks again!

CurlySue  :)

Is the a "Password Vault" (the names vary) in your "internet security suite" or anti virus.

Of late I have seen some oddities related to security software thinking it is managing passwords that it is not.

Alternatively try restarting Thunderbird htom the help menu (alt+H) with addons disabled. Just in case you have an add-on that is causing difficulties ( again AV software often puts poorly behaved add-ons into Thunderbird)

Thanks for your reply, Matt.

From my 2nd post, date stamped 4/9/14 . . . "To further ensure isolation, all anti-virus, malware/spyware program(s) were disabled. In addition, the only programs running were Microsoft operating system and services."

Currently, three of my staff engineers are in the process of reviewing suspected lines of code and a troublesome subroutine in TB.

Thanks again, Matt!

CurlySue  :o)

Just to clarify, key3.db and signons.sqlite are the only locations relevant to passwords.

The SQLite file contains the data and the key3.db file the encryption key.

A couple of point which may or may not be relevant.

Is the profile location within the current users appdata folder, or has it been redirected to perhaps a network location?

Check the ownership of the two files. check they belong to the signed on user and not an admin or superuser (An engineer perhaps?)

Finally, unless your in Windows safe mode, never assume the anti virus program you disabled is actually disabled. They do not do anything you tell them but their default well and even that is questionable sometimes. One of the few programs to routinely require you to download a "remover tool" because their uninstall routine does not work as advertised and remove the application.

> Just to clarify, key3.db and signons.sqlite are the only locations relevant to passwords.

Addressed in previous posts.

> The SQLite file contains the data and the key3.db file the encryption key.

Addressed in previous posts.

> A couple of point which may or may not be relevant.

> Is the profile location within the current users appdata folder, or has it been redirected to perhaps a network location?

Users . . . Win7PC\AppData folder . . . Thunderbird\Profiles\b9nnzexc.default

> Check the ownership of the two files. check they belong to the signed on user and not an admin or superuser (An engineer perhaps?)

Know all ownerships well . . . user . . . Full control

> Finally, unless your in Windows safe mode, never assume the anti virus program you disabled is actually disabled. They do not do anything you tell them but their default well and even that is questionable sometimes. One of the few programs to routinely require you to download a "remover tool" because their uninstall routine does not work as advertised and remove the application.

Never assumed . . . for emphasis, note that no AV or MW program was installed - I referenced them only to avoid superfluous suggestions.

CurlySue  :)