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Can't start Thunderbird without hanging and force quit. [Mac] Developed after trying to delete a mass quantity of emails. CAUSE unknown (problem gone)

  • 6 replies
  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Matt

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I have rendered Thunderbird unusable! Every time I start it up now, it crashes immediately and I have to force it to quit.

I deleted thousands of emails, folder by folder, and it was going well, but I must have overloaded it with work or something, because it crashed. Now I can't even try to troubleshoot, since it won't actually run.

I reinstalled it- same problem. I tried to open it in safe mode- same problem.

Help!

I have rendered Thunderbird unusable! Every time I start it up now, it crashes immediately and I have to force it to quit. I deleted thousands of emails, folder by folder, and it was going well, but I must have overloaded it with work or something, because it crashed. Now I can't even try to troubleshoot, since it won't actually run. I reinstalled it- same problem. I tried to open it in safe mode- same problem. Help!

Modified by Wayne Mery

Chosen solution

Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX

You know this safe mode information is on the apple knowledge base.

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All Replies (6)

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Hi! Thanks for the response! I should have mentioned that I use a Mac. OSX 10.9.5

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Chosen Solution

Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX

You know this safe mode information is on the apple knowledge base.

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Did we determine in this case exactly what is causing the problem?

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No, I did not figure out what was causing the problem. Now, though, it seems to be working fine. After letting it "rest" for three days, I relaunched Thunderbird and it seemed to have worked itself out. This is not helpful for solving the glitch, but it's useable again and that's what I need!

Thanks.

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I would postulate that the global index update may be a part of the issue, as could the actual IMAP synchronization. But I doubt we will ever really know.