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Changed server and all the old messages are gone in thunderbird

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  • Last reply by christ1

sbrenner
sbrenner
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We moved the server location for the imap and smtp server for a given domain name (domain name server changed) We are now receiving and sending email ok but the old messages from that domain name are now gone. We have a second computer that also run mozilla and has the old messages if that is helpful. What is the easiest method to get the old messages back? And is there anyway to avoid the same problem when we switch domain name servers on the other computer?

We moved the server location for the imap and smtp server for a given domain name (domain name server changed) We are now receiving and sending email ok but the old messages from that domain name are now gone. We have a second computer that also run mozilla and has the old messages if that is helpful. What is the easiest method to get the old messages back? And is there anyway to avoid the same problem when we switch domain name servers on the other computer?

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christ1
christ1
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We moved the server location for the imap and smtp server for a given domain

I suppose that means you changed the IMAP server name for an existing account.

the old messages from that domain name are now gone.
With IMAP all messages are managed on the server. So what you see is exactly the expected behavior. In order to preserve your messages you should have moved the messages from the old server to your local disc prior to changing to the new server.

What is the easiest method to get the old messages back?

Restoring a backup.

And is there anyway to avoid the same problem when we switch domain name servers on the other computer?

I don't understand that. Once your domain has been moved to the new provider, the mail server of the previous provider isn't reachable anymore. So basically you do have the same problem on the 'other computer'. The reason you still do see messages there probably is that the old server isn't reachable anymore. The question is whether you just see the headers or the entire messages. In the latter case you probably told Thunderbird to download an offline copy (synchronization). Please confirm.

Modified by christ1

sbrenner
sbrenner Question owner
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This is for a web hosting client, so I won't have access to their computers till tomorrow morning. If the full message is stored on the computer, is there an easy way to copy the message folder over, or would I have to email each message over to the new server? I saw some docs on where the files might be located but when I looked in the users/ folder, there were no such subfolders.

If the messages are just headers, I suppose my only recourse would be to connect back to the older server and somehow download the messages to that computer.

I'm used to using a pop server on my mac mail and never even imagined that the imap files were not stored with the client app.

Thanks for the help.

Steve

christ1
christ1
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If the messages are just headers, I suppose my only recourse would be to connect back to the older server and somehow download the messages to that computer.

That would assume that the messages still exist on the old server. Otherwise even the headers will be wiped on your 'other computer'.

It isn't a wise idea to change an existing account. It makes more sense to create a new account for a new server. So if you still have access to the old server you can re-create the old account in addition to the existing account for the new server.