I must ask the obvious with all these new Linux converts around. Are you pointing to your file using windows \\ or unix // path separators.

I'm pretty well versed in the O/S, I've been using it since 2008.

I'm launching the command from $HOME which is where the file resides.

~$ pwd /home/xxx ~$ls -al -rw-rw-r-- 1 xxx xxx 23943 Jun 2 19:20 thefilename.log

Using neither / or \.

 thunderbird -compose attach=thefilename.log

both result in compose window opening w/no attachment.

Tried

thunderbird -compose /home/attach=thefilename.log

Be explicit. Implicit can be problematic in all things as it assumes facts not in evidence. Such as where does Thunderbird start in. On windows it's startup location is the program location. I do not have a Linux installation to test on, but I assume it is something similar.

This all started when a program I use stopped attaching the file as it did in the prior version of "T-Bird". I don't remember at this time what version that was, but reverting to it at the time, didn't solve it either.

I "backtracked" via the program that stopped working's log, the command being issued, that USED to work. (-compose attach=xxx). Hence my experimentation of the "attach=" not working no matter how I invoked it. Regardless of how explicit/implicit I issue it from the command line.

"T-Bird" "lives" in /usr/lib, as it should. Program startup locations/etc are not pertinant., even in winblows. If it's "pathed" to, it runs. The compose window does "launch", but MINUS the attachment I "told" it to. THAT'S my "problem".

Hence looking for suggestions on how to trouble shoot from here.

Clearly copying the command line from the program that does not work does not work, or you would not have a problem. So we can conclude without a shadow of a doubt that the attachment is not attached if only the file name is specified. Have you tried the other options given to you. No you have not you have started a lecture on pathing and startup locations being irrelevant. Your troubleshooting... everything is relevant because you don't know why it is not working.

I do not claim to be an expert in Linux, but some things really translate well from DOS to Linux as the DOS and Linux guys both got their inspiration from UNIX. and MVS

So what is the working directory for Thunderbird? as the startup location isnot relevant I am sure you will have no trouble here. Is the file your looking to attach in your path environment variable? Do you (as a user account) have the necessary read write access allocate update etc permissions to the file? Does the program when run?

So have you tried this with an explicit location of the file? yes or No. Did it work? Yes or No.

I think you have some idea that the launching of Thunderbird without the attachment is somehow Thunderbird fault and that your going to be given Thunderbird troubleshooting tips. Your not.

The most likely reason the file is not there is your compose statement is not valid for some reason. In this case as there is a single compose parameter therefore the FQN of the file is most likely the issue.