Can you locate the appdata/roaming/thunderbird folder on the backup? That's the place to start. Let me know

I can see it on my online iDrive backup, will need to download as it is on a different drive and so far I have only downloaded the 2nd drive. So I'll get started on getting that data down.

I am not sure what might happen if I try to restore everything on the C: Drive it was on prior to the crash? Have you ever done a restore after the reinstall wiped things out? New territory for me.

I have not installed Thunderbird since the drives were wiped. I started with D: and have restored the files on it with good results. But it does not have the Tbird profile we need. So far, I have restored the second drive (D:) and it doesn't have that file.

Will get a copy of the C: drive downloaded and let you know when I have it.

Greatly appreciate any help you can offer. I've got lots to get back in shape after this mess.

Sincerely blessed, Kelly aka kelly@transitiontimecoach.com (retired now)

First, I would not attempt a full restore if you already have the PC running. Idrive will have the files, but I am not sure whether your setup with Idrive will do that. Let's focus of the files. It may help if you are able to do a screenshot of what you have recovered, or a screenshot of an Idrive screen that may be useful. Right now, anything will help. Although we may not be able to fully restore Thunderbird, the message folders are mostly likely recoverablel - once we can locate them.  :) davi

Thanks for your response and help.

Agree. I thought not doing the full restore is a good idea too! Too many things might go wrong.

OK, so I am able to see and will take some time and do a download of the C: drive so I'll have it all available in my external drive. It is slower than an online restore so will take about 2-3 hrs from recently downloading a copy of the D: drive.

I will update you when the system is downloaded as will be easier to navigate and copy files as needed. Not sure where you are located. I'm in FL & EDT US time zone. I will add screenshot but need to wait until the files are downloaded to external drive since it is in progress now.

Again, thank you for your assistance and sharing your experience with things like this. Yikes... I hope I never have this happen again!

Blessings, Kelly

David,

Sorry, It has taken a long time to copy the file list... turns out it is HUGE 1406 gigabytes. I don't have enough space on the current card or anything else i have currently... not sure why file is so large. I only need the files of the one most recent backup and think this is history on previous years. Didn't realize it was trying to do all 4 iterations. I think all we need is the most recent and not the previous files that were on a different desktop. Sigh.

I will need to see if I can get only that one that is the most recent file that is the one at this link. Not sure how to get only that one... may need to contact iDrive to get clarification on that part. Not as easy as I thought.

Here's a screenshot of the one the day before the drive crash in the meantime. Second shot is of some of the files that are at that location in the most current Tbird location of my App data files.

does this make sense? Again, grateful for your patience with me... mind slow due to effects of radiation and chemo treatments.

Thanks, Kelly

that screenshot looks like you found the files you want. Those are message folders from Local Folders. The ones ending in .msf can be ignored as those are just index files that Thunderbird will restore. the easiest way to recover those files in Thunderbird would be to:

1. install the addon, importexporttools NG.
2. highlight the Local Folders folder
3. rightclick and select the importexport option to import mbox
4. then, locate and select one of those message files from your screenshot and click ok.
5. repeat the process for the other message files there

You should now see the messages in Thunderbird. If there are more files missing, or if there are problems, do post back.

Hi David!

Great help! I'm off to church now, but will be getting back to you after I return and have tried the steps you suggested.

Question: I have not installed Thunderbird on the drive yet. Should I do that before I follow the steps you outlined? I held off installing it as I was unclear if that would be needed. From your steps, looks like I should go ahead and install Thunderbird so I can use the import add-on to handle the files. Is that correct?

Deeply grateful for your help and patience as I work through this mess and try to get some important saved emails and files back where I can access them and get my Tbird working again.

Will be posting back as soon as I have the files downloaded and give things a go.

Blessings, Kelly

Yes, installing thunderbird will give you a base to incrementally add the missing messages. And that will restore a sense of control over the situation.

Hi David,

Well I got the importExportNG addin installed. Then our air conditioner stopped working, so put on my HVAC guy hat and went into troubleshooting mode as temp got to 84F in the condo. FL weather mid to high 90's and high humidity this time of year.

So spent the last 3+ hours getting that going...good thing I learned a bit of HVAC and Refrigeration in US Navy, and have a son that is a commercial HVAC mgr with a private HVAC contractor when I get stuck.

Whew... need to sort out things so lost a good bit of time and energy with being outside in the heat for a good bit and not much better in the condo. But it is back down to our normal 78F and so back to the computer.

I've got 3 email accts so will have to sort out what goes where and how the ImportExportNG add-in works. I'll probably need some time and have some questions as I get back to getting the files needed downloaded and will update you when I get caught up.

Nice to learn a few new things, but really have a lot of recovery of data and setups to do as well.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and expertise. You've been a huge help and blessing to me.

Blessings to you, Kelly

That certainly keeps you busy. I admire your talent/skills in working with HVAC. Let me know if/when you need assistance. david

David,

Still a bit confused. Do I need to download the Local Folders from my iDrive to an external drive to be able to import them?

Otherwise, I don't see a means to access the files so I can import them from the iDrive site.

Hope this question makes sense. In the meantime, until I hear clarification from you, I will be downloading them locally to external drive anyway.

Sorry, I am being overly careful on how to recover some important personal files I have collected in these local file section.

Continued thanks for your help.

Blessings, Kelly

David,

I gave it a go after downloading the Local Folder file to my external drive. From there I could see the file and picked the one I could live without as my guinea pig test. IT WORKED! So now, I'll proceed with the couple dozen other files and get things back in order.

Thank you for being a patient and kind help! You have truly helped me restore some personal email files that are very important.

Blessings and more be yours, Kelly

You are very welcome. It was my pleasure to assist. :)