I'm on 24.6.0 but see there's a 31.0 available. If I install 31.0, will all my addresses/settings automatically come along for the ride?
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I've been having all sorts of problems w/Thunderbird lately. I'm getting the perpetual "saving to sent folder" and "saving to drafts folder" thing again; starting in Safe Mode works at the start and then it starts up again. It's driving me nuts. In looking around, I see that there's a v31.0 available -- I'm not a huge fan of .0 versions of anything -- and I'm wondering if I should upgrade to that version from 24.6.0? I mean, 24.6.0 isn't working for me at the moment anyway . . .
The big question is that I've got LOTS of different folders and subfolders, for tons of different accounts, in Thunderbird. Between those, and all the various filters I've created, it would be a huge pain to start from scratch. So, the question is can I install this latest version OVER 24.6, without losing my accounts? And the other question is SHOULD I go with 31.0 . . . how's the stability?
Thanks for all your advice,
stu
Wšykne wótegrona (7)
re: I'm getting the perpetual "saving to sent folder" and "saving to drafts folder" thing again;
You may have background processes slowing this down like email scanning. The Sent folder may be getting large, so try Archiving older messages to reduce the size of the folder.
re: 31.0 . . . how's the stability? I've been using 31.0 since it was released and have no issues with stability.
the Write window has been modified. Where you enter the TO email address - this is now the same colour backgfround as the rest of the window and only shows a white background when you are inserting an email address. I have found a bug that makes email address appear red instead of black - annoying but does not interfer with sending. I've reported the bug. They have also modified the autocomplete search and currently needs the MoreFunctionsForAddressBook addon to be installed and one of th config entries chnaged to make it work quicker and return more valid entries: Discussion here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1011952#answer-616258
Toad-Hall,
Thanks for the quick reply. Any problems with installing right over the old version? Do all the various folders and account, and the old saved mail, migrate properly?
I'd already archived most of the folders I have . . . also deleted a lot of old stuff and emptied all the trash folders. After a while, it just slows down and different functions stop, well, functioning. For example, just clicking on an email and hitting delete doesn't delete it . . can't move it to the trash either. Running filters does nothing . . . then I restart (again) in Safe Mode and it'll all work for a while.
stu
iMac running 10.8.5
Personally i would stay right where you are until they fix all the problems with V31.
There is no harm in continuing to use v. 24.6, do not feel you have to update just yet. For me it is stable in terms of downloading, email storage, sending etc. But there are annoying persistent issues with several sections of the Write window; none of which cause an issue with sending, so it still works.
when I updated to v.31.0: Help > About thunderbird clickon 'check for updates' button then it should auto update.
Or you uninstall and then download from here and reinstall.
The Thunderbird program is not in the same place as your thunderbird profile folders which contain the emails. So it should not effect any emails etc. However, as a precaution, I always create a backup.
If running in Thunderbird Safe Mode resolves an issue, then it is likely that an addon/extension is causing a conflict.
If running in computer Safe mode resolves the issue then another program outside of Thunderbird is causing a conflict. check Task manager to see what else is running.
I notice you mention deleting, archiving etc, but you do not mention whether you compact your folders on a regular basis.
When you mark an email as deleted, from your point of view it is removed from eg: Inbox and reappears in Deleted Folder. In reality, it is still in the Inbox, hidden from view and 'marked as deleted'. When you compact the fodler, all traces of the 'marked as deleted' email are removed. Thus freeling up space and making the file smaller. See info:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keep_it_working_-_Thunderbird
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Compacting_folders
If there is any corruption in a folder and you compact the folder, you may lose emails. I would create a backup first and then compact all folders. File > Compact folders.
On another note: Using the new version 31.0, how do you keep the address field from scrolling up and no longer be able to see the entry. When entering an email address, you use to be able to hit tab or enter and it would take you to the subject field but still allow you to see the email address that you entered in the To: field. Now it immediately scrolls up and shows an additional To: field.
Any help is appreciated.
Yet another bug in the Write compose window. I do not experience this one, but I have heard that others do. Please try this to get around that bug:
If toolbars are enabled:
- Tools > Options > Advanced > General Tab
OR
- 3barmenu icon > Options > Options > Advanced > General Tab
- click on 'Config Editor' button
it will tell you to be careful :)
- In top search type: compose
look for this line:
- mail.compose.addresswidget.numRowsShownDefault; Value = 3
- Double click on that line to open a small editing window.
- If the Value currently says '3', type in '4' and click on 'OK'
- then click on 'OK' to save and close Options.
This should add another line in the TO fields area and get around that bug. Please confirm it does that.
Adding additional TO fields when composing an email: When you want to add more than the number of visible TO fields, after entering the last email address, press 'Enter/Return' key to create a new line. Then you will discover the top line scrolls up, but a scroll bar appears on the right side, so that you can easily scroll up to see entries.
The other way of seeing additional lines is to drag the bar that separates the header from the compose area. Hover the mouse over the line a the top of the compose area, but below the Subject and Formatting bar. It will change to a double geaded arrow. Left click and hold down to grab. Then drag the line downwards. Release when you see enough. This second method is only temporary for that Write message.
Just as an addendum . . . I WAS planning on holding off on upgrading but, even though I have the "notify me for approval" setting on my upgrade path, Thunderbird went and updated itself just now. Hopefully the bugs that are being reported will be resolved quickly . . . and I guess we'll see if the problems I've been having are version specific.
Sigh.