• Sorry, not move pages, move emails

What is your anti-virus s/w?

Windows Defender. I don't use any other, 3rd party AV's, so it shouldn't be causing an issue.

Try to start *Windows* in safe mode with networking enabled.

- Win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

- Win7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode

- XP http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode.

- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/safe-mode

Does the problem go away?

Sorry, I've only just had a chance to try this. Without thinking, I restarted in Safe Mode and obviously didn't have any internet, so couldn't test any of the usual triggers. When I restarted im Safe Mode with Networking, and started Thunderbird, it did seem to help, but I didn't really have time to sit here for a while and test. As I said, this is intermittent and doesn't follow any real rhyme or reason, so I'd need to put some real time into testing this in Safe Mode. I'm at work at the moment, so I don't have too much time to test this with.

Just a note, as I think I forgot to mention earlier, I've tried starting just Thunderbird in Safe Mode and that's not helped, which I understand would ordinarily suggest it's likely an issue with my installation of Windows, but I see this regularly on 3 different machines, one of which is a pretty fresh installation. I also see this on multiple, clean VM's.

Cheers,

Take your time to test again.

Sorry it's taken so long to get back!

I've had a chance to give this a real try. I'm afraid that it still crashes, just less often. Any other thoughts?

You said Thunderbird is hanging in your OP. Now you say it's crashing even in safe mode.
Even if it may not sound obvious, there is a big difference between hanging an crashing.
What is correct now?

Are you certain you started Windows in safe mode?

Sorry, hanging not crashing. I'm aware that there's a difference between crashing and hanging, I'm just a little tired today.

Yes, 100% sure that Windows was in safe mode with networking. I didn't restart in just "Safe Mode" because that doesn't allow me to test any of the things that cause Thunderbird to hang.

I too am having temporary hangs. Most every action by my mouse clicking on something in Thunderbird is met by a temporary hang or freeze. Sometimes the screen fades - gets very dim and after seconds or minutes the screen restores to normal viewing. I'm running Win 7 home premium and Thunderbird 24.4.0. Nothing has been added for some time other than automatic updates. The hanging is accompanied by a little spinning circle of light.

@Shortstop - Glad to see that you're having it too (I mean that in the best way possible). I also see that little spinning wheel of doom.

I've just re-installed my OS on my Work PC (was running Windows 8, now running Win 7 Ultimate x64) and the issue seemed to be resolved. It's now come back, with a vengeance.

It'll work fine for a while; smooth, no hangs, lags or crashes. But, after about 20 mins of smoothness, it starts to lag or hang. To explain what I mean by lag, I'll be typing and notice that it's not actually typing anything, then if I wait for a few seconds, what I've typed appears letter by letter. Or, I'll try to switch folders/inboxes or click on an email, then it will 'lag' and take a few seconds to complete the action.

I'm about to install Postbox and give that a little try, see if the issue is present with that too. I really don't want to switch to Postbox though, I don't like the UI anywhere near as much...

Just a side note, two colleagues of mine (one on Windows 8 Pro, one on Windows 8.1, both x64) have the same issue and were forced to switch to Postbox.

So would I be right in thinking that no Mozilla staff have a solution and are not willing to look any further into this? Is Thunderbird not supported anymore?

This has reached a critical point and I'm being forced to look into other alternatives. So far, Postbox seems to be a good candidate, but I'm now put off by the fact that it shares a lot of the same base code.

You didn't follow instructions yet and tried both, Windows *and* Thunderbird in safe mode.

Most people answering questions here are volunteers and users like you, dedicating their time to help others and answer questions.

You're of course free to choose whatever email client you like.

Respectfully, if you read my previous posts, I did do this and it seemed fine. In the interests of being thorough, however, I'll restate.

I first started just Windows in Safe Mode. No change in behaviour. I then started Thunderbird in Safe Mode and the hangs stopped. My third test was to start both in Safe Mode and this also (unsurprisingly) stopped the hangs.

The only plugin/add-on that I have for Thunderbird is the LookOut plugin (for opening Winmail.dat attachments) - uninstalling LookOut produces no change in the hangs.

Also, I get that and very much appreciate it, but does Mozilla not offer support? It seems a little strange that they would make a product and not support it.

Thanks. Can you post your Troubleshooting Information please when starting TB normally?

Help (Alt-H) - Troubleshooting Information

... does Mozilla not offer support?

This forum is the official Thunderbird support venue.

To verbw001 and others,

I was very happy with TB when I ran it on my old WinXP computer. I am now on a new Win8.1 computer and TB hangs up or faints so often it is almost useless.

I have tried some of the offered suggestions – disabling my AV program, working in safe mode – but nothing seems to be a cure. I wonder how many other threads are floating around describing these white-outs, but using different terminology?

I find it disheartening that Mozilla does not have an addressable support staff. Do the code writers know there is a problem? From this discussion, it looks like I will have to find a new email client. I see Postbox mentioned. Any other favorites?

StanleyKPatz, please start a new thread for your problem. Thank you.

@christ1 - are you a member of Mozilla Support? If not, then I really appreciate you trying to help me and all, but I don't see what sending the troubleshoot info. to someone who's not a Mozilla rep. will do..... If you are, then great, I'll get that to you because it may actually be helpful.

I'm here because I want to contact Mozilla and get their assistance. This is not a config or system issue. I could have this on a fresh PC, with a totally different setup and the issue will be there.

As I said, if you are a member of the support staff, that's wonderful, I'll send you what you need to help.

@StanleyKPatz - I'm inclined to agree with you here.

Other favourites? Not really, I'm not a fan of the UI of most other mail clients and, given that this is a work environment, I can't just run of an purchase/install whatever mail client I like, so I'm personally stuck with anything free (most of which sucks IMHO).

To christ1,

My "problem" appears to be similar to the one described by verbw001. Starting a new thread does not seem appropriate.

This morning I composed a short business email, 66 words in two little paragraphs. TB passed out no less than three times! How am I supposed to keep my concentration while watching a pale screen with a blue spinning wheel? (Was TB reading spam and deleting trash while I waited?)

If you meant that I should start another thread soliciting suggestions for an alternative email client, I will consider that.