Cannot transfer profile/emails from one computer to another
I use Thunderbird on my older Macbook Air, which I am replacing with q new Mac laptop. I have a huge record of emails in many folders on the old computer and want the same thing on the new computer. I have done this many times in the past between a desktop and a laptop Mac with no issues. But something seems to have changed.
I installed the program, I tried to transfer the profile from the old computer to the new computer, and deleted the older profile. I tried to open Thunderbird and it tells me the profile is missing or inaccessible. I deleted the .ini file but that just makes me do a set up again. I used to do this all the time between my other Macs and it was super simple. Now it's a nightmare and doesn't work at all.
So how do we transfer all saved email, folders and server into etc from on computer to a different computer?
Sean
All Replies (3)
I'm not sure I understand what exactly you've done so far, but am I correct that you have a complete, intact copy of your old profile on the new computer? If so, I think I can guide you back to getting it working, but I need you to provide some information and screen shots.
- Please start Thunderbird on the new computer. Decline all prompts to set things up. When things settle down, click on <Help | Troubleshooting Information>, go down to Profile Directory, and click the "Open Directory" button. What is the name of the folder you are now in? Please take a screen shot of this folder.
- Now go down one level to the Profile Directory's containing folder. What is the name of this folder? Please take a screen shot of this folder.
You can now close Thunderbird down.
Please post the screen shots. Once I can see what is where, I think I can get things back in order.
I solved the issue. I just went to user, Library folder, then Thunderbird folder, copied BOTH the Profiles folder and the profiles.ini file to a hard drive, and then on the new computer did the same- found the Thunderbird folder in user Library, deleted existing Profiles folder and profiles.ini file and replaced them. The profiles.ini file is what is required, I guess.
Also, Apple now hides folders, so on newer computers you have to go to the Library folder type Shift, Command, period to reveal your Library folder.
Sean
Yes, the PROFILES.INI is crucial. If you view it with a text viewer, you'll see that it tells Thunderbird things like, what profiles are registered, where they're located in the file system, what's the default, etc. A new PROFILES.INI can be created using the Profiles Manager, which is where I was going for you, but you need to start the process armed with some information.
Glad you got it sorted out.
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