Transfer Thunderbird email / address book from WindowsXP Pro to Windows 7 Pro
I have just upgraded my Windows XP Pro to Windows 7 Pro. I used the Microsoft easy transfer program. The transfer mostly went well.
I use Thunderbird for my email. It was copied to an external drive along with my other files. I have reinstalled Thunderbird and it works just fine. I can't figure out how to import / copy my old emails and contacts into the new Thunderbird.
I can't browse the Microsoft “Old_ComputerFiles” file to see the Thunderbird files but I did do a backup with Norton in addition to that backup. I can see these files and browse them in my new Windows 7 Pro.
The problem is that when I try to do a restore Norton it only sees the recent backups from the new install of Windows 7. I can't use Norton to browse to the old backup I did prior while I still had Windows XP Pro.
I have researched and it seems to me that all I need to do is copy the “profile” folder paste it into Thunderbird after I have deleted the new profile folder from the new Thunderbird.
I have used MozBackup to back up my old Thunderbird file and then restore it to my new computer but I always get a new Thunderbird that does not include my old emails and address book. I've run out of ideas...
Also I could never find that “roaming...” file pathway.
Is there a way to browse the files that were backed up by the Microsoft easy transfer program?
Any you have some new ideas??
I use Thunderbird for my email. It was copied to an external drive along with my other files. I have reinstalled Thunderbird and it works just fine. I can't figure out how to import / copy my old emails and contacts into the new Thunderbird.
I can't browse the Microsoft “Old_ComputerFiles” file to see the Thunderbird files but I did do a backup with Norton in addition to that backup. I can see these files and browse them in my new Windows 7 Pro.
The problem is that when I try to do a restore Norton it only sees the recent backups from the new install of Windows 7. I can't use Norton to browse to the old backup I did prior while I still had Windows XP Pro.
I have researched and it seems to me that all I need to do is copy the “profile” folder paste it into Thunderbird after I have deleted the new profile folder from the new Thunderbird.
I have used MozBackup to back up my old Thunderbird file and then restore it to my new computer but I always get a new Thunderbird that does not include my old emails and address book. I've run out of ideas...
Also I could never find that “roaming...” file pathway.
Is there a way to browse the files that were backed up by the Microsoft easy transfer program?
Any you have some new ideas??
In order to force Thunderbird to recognise your old data in you new installation you need to run Mozbackup again, then delete the thunderbird profile data. Next use Mozbackup to do another restore, use Thunderbird offline and wait for the rebuild, this time you should have a working profile. I am assuming that you already know the profile location etc and have simple missed the final steps.
ASKER
Thank you,
I have found the file pathway you gave above. The final folder has a strange name:
"36wev60e.default" it does not have a user name attached to it although I did go through the user name earlier in the file pathway.
Does this folder also contain my emails??
How do I make an import of this file to Thunderbird??
I have found the file pathway you gave above. The final folder has a strange name:
"36wev60e.default" it does not have a user name attached to it although I did go through the user name earlier in the file pathway.
Does this folder also contain my emails??
How do I make an import of this file to Thunderbird??
ASKER
Staplar,
When you say delete the thunderbird "profile data" do you mean deleate the folder "Profiles" in the thunderbird folder? and then use Mozbackup again while I'm unconnected to the web and wait for the rebuild?
In the windows 7 I can't find a "Documents and Settings" but I did find the folder "Profiles" is this the folder you are calling:
"...then delete the thunderbird profile data" ???
Thanks
When you say delete the thunderbird "profile data" do you mean deleate the folder "Profiles" in the thunderbird folder? and then use Mozbackup again while I'm unconnected to the web and wait for the rebuild?
In the windows 7 I can't find a "Documents and Settings" but I did find the folder "Profiles" is this the folder you are calling:
"...then delete the thunderbird profile data" ???
Thanks
ASKER
rknetwork,
I found that file "<profilename>.default>abo
can I copy it and paste it over the other file in the new thunderbird??
I found that file "<profilename>.default>abo
can I copy it and paste it over the other file in the new thunderbird??
ASKER
I just looked at the following file on my new computer "Mail" and I can see these folders
"mail.comcast.net" and mail.comcast-1.net
I can see all my old emails and folders but I can't see them in Thunderbird but this is the new thunderbird I just installed.
Is there some file I need to point at these files??
"mail.comcast.net" and mail.comcast-1.net
I can see all my old emails and folders but I can't see them in Thunderbird but this is the new thunderbird I just installed.
Is there some file I need to point at these files??
ASKER
Hey guys I kinda tired right now... I'm going to have a go at your suggestions again tomorrow. I would guess you all are ready to give it a rest too. I'm going to grill me a steak and have a beer. Thanks for the help thus far.
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ASKER
mtz10f4
OK now I see the hidden files. I am not going to delete the old TB profile folder. Let me see if I understand this:
1) I can delete the "Profiles" folder on my new Windows 7 Pro machine and then use the MozBackup to navagate back to my external drive to select the old windows XP Thunderbird "Profiles" folder and restore it to the new Windows 7 compter or:
2) delete the "Profiles" folder on the new Windows 7 then copy the old windows XP "profiles" folder from the external drive and paste it into the new Windows 7 Thunderbird folder where it belongs??
Is the above correct?
Thanks for the help
OK now I see the hidden files. I am not going to delete the old TB profile folder. Let me see if I understand this:
1) I can delete the "Profiles" folder on my new Windows 7 Pro machine and then use the MozBackup to navagate back to my external drive to select the old windows XP Thunderbird "Profiles" folder and restore it to the new Windows 7 compter or:
2) delete the "Profiles" folder on the new Windows 7 then copy the old windows XP "profiles" folder from the external drive and paste it into the new Windows 7 Thunderbird folder where it belongs??
Is the above correct?
Thanks for the help
#1 will work, yes
#2 then requires you to edit profiles.ini to have it read the exact profile Name
Start with #1
#2 then requires you to edit profiles.ini to have it read the exact profile Name
Start with #1
ASKER
OK... I seem to be having a little problem. I am using MozBackup 1.4.10
I have selected to backup the "default" profile. I then navagate to the "profile" I want to restore on the external drive.
I go through the file pathway up to the old "Profiles" folder and stop there and select it. When I hit the "Open' button I get this dialog box:
"The selected file is not a valid backup file."
Also in the file select field this file name appears without my typing it in:
"Thunderbird 3.1.3 (en-US) - 2010-09-12.pcv"
Am I supposed to open the folder "Profiles" and select a file from within it?
I have selected to backup the "default" profile. I then navagate to the "profile" I want to restore on the external drive.
I go through the file pathway up to the old "Profiles" folder and stop there and select it. When I hit the "Open' button I get this dialog box:
"The selected file is not a valid backup file."
Also in the file select field this file name appears without my typing it in:
"Thunderbird 3.1.3 (en-US) - 2010-09-12.pcv"
Am I supposed to open the folder "Profiles" and select a file from within it?
ASKER
Thanks, mtx10f4,
I just did a cut and paste it seemed the simplest and it worked. Thank you very much as this was important. I will also do a backup of this file now and then just to protect me. Thanks again
I just did a cut and paste it seemed the simplest and it worked. Thank you very much as this was important. I will also do a backup of this file now and then just to protect me. Thanks again
C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Applic
You may run a global search for the file name abook.mab on your Windows 7.
After you find it make an Import of this file to your Thunderbird