how to clean corruption from Thunderbird 'prefs.js file
I made some changes to my profile which caused it to become corrupt and the programme to crash My Address book is still good so I assume the problem lies with the 'prefs.js' file. Unfortunately, however, I have limited knowledge of computers and their workings and so although I found some answers online on how to rebuild a profile, putting this into practice is proving to be a huge challenge for me. In essence I am interested only in not having to change my current email address as I can still access my emails on my Ipad. Is it possible for me then to create a new Thunderbird account whilst keeping my current email address?
Any help would be most welcome
Ausgewählte Lösung
Rename the "notebook entry" then
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What changes did you make? and how?
I reset items appearing in Bold. Somewhere I read that I should do this to solve a problem I was having with actually printing out an email which wouldn't print.
Ok so you have reset the values to default. Given you appear to have no idea what you changed then there is not a lot that can be done to help repair the profile (the prefs.js file being the heart of a profile with all settings in it.)
Make sure Thunderbird is closed
on the start menu type %appdata%\Thunderbird and press enter
locate the file profile.ini in the explorer window that opens and rename it oldprofile.ini
Start Thunderbird
Set up your accounts like it was a new installation.
Sorry but this did not work either. I entered %appdata% in the start menu, pressed Enter and 3 items appeared - first Crash Reports File (empty), second Profiles "vwd0bsg9.default" and third was a Notebook entry (General). - StartWithLastProfile=1. (Profile0). Name =default. - IsRelative=1. - Path=Profiles/vwd0bsg9.default
Ausgewählte Lösung
Rename the "notebook entry" then
Many thanks for your invaluable help with my problem Matt. This has now been solved. I renamed the entry as you advised and after being prompted to enter the username for my gmail account, Thunderbird was restored (including all my emails). The only thing I lost was my address book. I have just one other problem and this is that whilst my primary account is working I have a secondary account which is not visible. I think perhaps the reason for this is that the account was set up some time after the old profile was put in place. This account is still operative in gmail and I can send and receive emails but I have to go into my gmail account to check them. This is not very satisfactory since Thunderbird is where I look to send and receive all my messages
File menu (alt+F) > New > existing mail account and add the aditional account.
Now ; On the help menu select troubleshooting information Select the show profile button in troubleshooting information An explorer window will open in your current Thunderbird profile folder. Make sure Thunderbird is closed on the start menu type %appdata%\Thunderbird\profiles and press enter
This will open a second explorer window. This should show two folders. One will have the same name as the one opened when you clicked the "show folder" button. Ignore it and open the other folder.
copy the abook.mab file and the history.mab file to the folder that opening in the "show profile" button window. Start Thunderbird.
Your address book is now transferred.
Hi Mat, many thanks for your help - everything ok now. You help was invaluable, saving me many hours (or perhaps even days) of frustration