Another question (I'm just full of them): When I create new profile, am I going to be able to retrieve my old saved messages, address book?

new profile is really diagnostic rather than permanent. but as nothing is being deleted nothing is being lost.

So if new profile works, I will not be keeping it? It will just show (maybe) what is corrupt about old profile and we will fix that one? It was suggested that, after creating new profile on 'other' computer, I would back it up and then put it on 'ordinary' computer. Trying to understand process. Daughter had to create new profile when she moved computer to new office and lost all from old profile. But I don't know what process she used or whether she deleted the old profile. She may have just done all on her own, sort of hit/miss. If I kept the new profile and the old, would I switch between them when I needed old message, address, etc? Would that corrupt email again? Or is there a way to migrate info from old profile into new one?

Just to save a couple of questions.

Install this add-on. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/profileswitcher/

Instructions http://chrisramsden.vfast.co.uk/3_How_to_install_Add-ons_in_Thunderbird.html

This add-on puts two entries on the bottom of the file menu. One to launch the profile manager and another to restart with another profile.

I really don't know why Thunderbird does not have this one by default. It takes all the mystery out of profiles, they are then almost like a new word processing document.

Address books can be migrated profile to profile using another of Paolos add-ons. https://freeshell.de//~kaosmos/morecols-en.html

Yet a third from his stable.https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/ allows any mail in any folder to be selectively imported and exported either as native Thunderbird mbox files or EML file which are compatible with just about any mail client except MS Outlook.

So even without detailed instructions on the brute force move this file type, you will loose nothing even if left to your own devices.

even if left to your own devices Exactly what I need, LOL. Something to protect me from my ignorance.

Will definitely install the add-ons. Thanks!

Ok so I deleted the profile and, in fact, the entire TB folder on the 'other computer'. I then installed newest version of TB (which I intensely dislike--I want my little strip with all the activities back up on top where I don't have to search for it). I added the 1st mail account. Only problem is that TB default is evidently to automatically start downloading messages from the server. I don't want that! Is there any way to change this setting prior to or during adding the account?? Or should I just delete all of them and then migrate my saved messages from the old profile?

On the positive side, the emails do display correctly--at least for this account.

I think I figured it out.

elceema said

I think I figured it out.

Can you give more details please?

"-I want my little strip with all the activities back up on top where I don't have to search for it). "

Do you mean the menu bar? View | Toolbars | enable the Menu Bar

elceema said

Installed TB 31.5. Everything looked fine til I attempted to open an email. When I attempt to do so, no content/body of email displays. Have tried many different emails with same result: shows To, From, Subject, etc on top left. Where message body should be, it is all blank. Have tried changing 'view message body as' options (original html, simple html, plain text). Nothing works.

I had same problem and no suggestions in this forum helped me out, though I haven't tried everything - the more complicated methods which I perceive quite frustrating. For me did the trick playing around a bit with options View - Placement (maybe this dubbed in English otherwise as I use localized version) and there switching between classical view; broad view, vertical view and folder panel, columns of folder panel, message text panel. Suddenly everything turned back normal, I was able to see message bodies again, send forward, replay etc.