After Daily update Thunderbird 64bit error "Couldn't load XPCOM". No longer starts. What do I do to fix this? DId I lose all my emails?
I packed a lot into my question.
I ran the Daily update for Thunderbird 64-bit. When I tried to restart I only get the message "Couldn't load XPCOM". I hoped that another update might be released repairing it, or some advisory explaining how to repair it. I was desperate for a replacement for Outlook Express and Thunderbird has been almost a perfect replacement. Moreover this is 64 bit for my win 7 64bit ( I am a refugee of XP). I would re-install but I am afraid to lose all my emails, contacts and accounts. I do not know where they are stored or what files are what in TB. I did not back them up - stupid! (My backup drive is broken and I do not have the money for another.) There was always info on the web for OE so I could salvage or repair.
I have googled and hoped I could repair it. Nothing on the web fits. What do/can I do? Where is there more info?
Chosen solution
And, this has nothing to do with a 64-bit/32-bit issues, the installer or updater had a problem in both builds and needed fixing. Which also means that your e-mails should be fine, given that this specific bug didn't even allow Thunderbird to touch the profile before failing, thus didn't have time to screw up anything (it's a different story if installing 24.6.0 over 33.0a1 will correctly migrate everything back to the 24.x-style if necessary, but I don't recall any major changes recently in schemas or other version-dependent profile items).
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Why do you use Daily in the first place? It's a development version which has alpha quality, and as the name suggests, is updated daily. It is not meant for production use in any way. Use the release version if this is a production system. The current release version is 24.6.0. Version 31 will be released very soon. Get the release version from https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/all.html
All data is stored in a profile, which is separate from the program install. So re-installing Thunderbird is safe, unless you tell it to delete the profile during the process. Check this article for more information about the profile. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird
I did not back them up - stupid!
Indeed. To backup your profile see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Thunderbird_:_FAQs_:_Backing_Up_and_Restoring
I have googled and hoped I could repair it. Nothing on the web fits.
Can't be that hard. http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=thunderbird+profile+backup
Modified by christ1
That was a bug introduced with yesterday's nightly build and fixed with today's. As pointed out by christ1, these builds are regular but random snapshots of the current development for testing purposes and may have serious bugs which can wipe out your entire mail box in the worst case. Thus, unless you are running it on purpose to follow development (and it doesn't appear to me that you do), go with either 24.6.0 or the upcoming 31.0, which is due for release on Tuesday.
In other words the Win32 Releases will work fine as you do not need to use those bleeding edge builds.
Chosen Solution
And, this has nothing to do with a 64-bit/32-bit issues, the installer or updater had a problem in both builds and needed fixing. Which also means that your e-mails should be fine, given that this specific bug didn't even allow Thunderbird to touch the profile before failing, thus didn't have time to screw up anything (it's a different story if installing 24.6.0 over 33.0a1 will correctly migrate everything back to the 24.x-style if necessary, but I don't recall any major changes recently in schemas or other version-dependent profile items).
Modified by rsx11m