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Adding my IMAP server to Thunderbird.

  • 2 replies
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  • Last reply by RickGreder

RickGreder
RickGreder

Hello,

I have been running my IMAP server for several years, but a recent upgrade to PHP7 has left my Squirrelmail in an damaged state, so I am seeking an alternative method to access my email services. I have Thunderbird 38.8.0 running on Ubuntu.

I have verified that my IMAP server is visible outside from localhost.

$ openssl s_client -connect example.com:993 -quiet depth=1 /C=US/O=Let's Encrypt/CN=Let's Encrypt Authority X3 verify error:num=20:unable to get local issuer certificate verify return:0

  • OK [CAPABILITY IMAP4rev1 LITERAL+ SASL-IR LOGIN-REFERRALS ID ENABLE IDLE AUTH=PLAIN AUTH=LOGIN] Dovecot ready.

I launch Thunderbird for the first time and I expect to go to a properties menu and fill in the fields, but I used the wizard instead. I typed in the email address I use to log into my account, but I got "Thunderbird failed to find the settings for your email account"

I am troubled with the fields on this form. There is a select menu to choose IMAP or POP3 and my server hostname is entered as .example.com, which implies a name of imap.example.com, but it is not named as such, and I will take the risk of changing this configuration as sheer luck and fortune makes my email server work and I will not make temporary changes to suit the defaults of a software client that I chose arbitrarily.

So, I have a IMAP server running on 993 called example.com and I have a password. There is also an SMTP server here too. How can I just enter these values to make this tool work for me?

I didn't follow through with the "New account". I already have an email address and don't need to be sold somebody's service. I just want my own account to work with my Ubuntu client. I am currently reading most of my email in /var using vim, and that is quite inconvenient.

Hello, I have been running my IMAP server for several years, but a recent upgrade to PHP7 has left my Squirrelmail in an damaged state, so I am seeking an alternative method to access my email services. I have Thunderbird 38.8.0 running on Ubuntu. I have verified that my IMAP server is visible outside from localhost. $ openssl s_client -connect example.com:993 -quiet depth=1 /C=US/O=Let's Encrypt/CN=Let's Encrypt Authority X3 verify error:num=20:unable to get local issuer certificate verify return:0 * OK [CAPABILITY IMAP4rev1 LITERAL+ SASL-IR LOGIN-REFERRALS ID ENABLE IDLE AUTH=PLAIN AUTH=LOGIN] Dovecot ready. I launch Thunderbird for the first time and I expect to go to a properties menu and fill in the fields, but I used the wizard instead. I typed in the email address I use to log into my account, but I got "Thunderbird failed to find the settings for your email account" I am troubled with the fields on this form. There is a select menu to choose IMAP or POP3 and my server hostname is entered as .example.com, which implies a name of imap.example.com, but it is not named as such, and I will take the risk of changing this configuration as sheer luck and fortune makes my email server work and I will not make temporary changes to suit the defaults of a software client that I chose arbitrarily. So, I have a IMAP server running on 993 called example.com and I have a password. There is also an SMTP server here too. How can I just enter these values to make this tool work for me? I didn't follow through with the "New account". I already have an email address and don't need to be sold somebody's service. I just want my own account to work with my Ubuntu client. I am currently reading most of my email in /var using vim, and that is quite inconvenient.

Chosen solution

over write the connections settings server names etc with what you know are correct. Then use the try or test or whatever the button is to verify they work.

Make sure you have updated your open SSL see https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/logjam-and-thunderbird.html

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All Replies (2)

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor

Chosen Solution

over write the connections settings server names etc with what you know are correct. Then use the try or test or whatever the button is to verify they work.

Make sure you have updated your open SSL see https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/logjam-and-thunderbird.html

RickGreder
RickGreder Question owner

Ah thanks. I tried it again, after these very busy holidays, and it downloaded. Not sure where the problem was.

This is the first time I've ever used a mail client like this. I have only used pine before switching to squirrelmail about 15 years ago. There is a learning curve to doing this.

IMAP works great, but there is an SMTP issue, which is almost certainly not Thunderbird related.