Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I am trying to get a new PC working, as my old one died on me. Trying to get just a few of my every-day programs installed has been a nightmare so far. The biggest problem has been Thunderbird, trying to get my old data across... The biggest issue right now, is if I uninstall a program to try a clean install, it comes back with the same wrong settings as before. I am stuck, and need to talk to someone who has a clue. I don't want to clutter up the list with this, but if there is someone who has a bit more in-depth knowledge than I have, who would be prepared to chat with me, either through the message system here, or by email, or even phone, I would be extremely grateful...

Another problem is that I have been using Clipmate for probably 20 years now, and all my passwords and serial numbers are stored in its database. When I installed the program on here, it defaulted to a new empty database and I have been unable to get it to look in the right place. I have sent a couple of messages to their support email, but there is no reply yet, and I am not sure how active the company is anymore. Their website is still in place, but there have been no apparent changes, or program updates in several years. It can't be a great moneymaker for them, and I don't know if they do anything else. In the past when I have had issues, tech support has been very quick to respond. Crap - I thought they were in the UK and so wouldn't be affected by the holiday weekend, but according to their site, they are actually in NY, so I guess that is why I have not had a response yet! It also means that they may still be around, but just closed for the weekend, which is a bit reassuring, rather than being defunct!

Anyway, my request for general help still stands. I have been working on this problem for 2 days now, and getting basically nowhere. My usual go-to for tech help is currently in hospital, undergoing treatment for cancer, and obviously I am not about to bug him. I don't even have anyone to talk the matter through with, in case I am missing something obvious...

So, I throw myself on the mercy of the Hog!
Thanks.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

If you are doing a clean install re-format your drive first then do the install. That will clear everything out of the FAT area of the drive.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

I use Thunderbird and enjoy it. To 'transfer' your data such as your Mail list, you must 'export' the list from Thunderbird, (to Desktop or any other location where you can find them), and then 'import' them into the newly installed Thunderbird program. You'll find these features (export and import), under 'ADDRESS BOOK', 'TOOLS', and then exp. or imp. Good luck.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Have never used or even heard of, the programs you mention but generally what I've seen is that hardly any older software works with WIN10. I have an older scanner that won't work with WIN10 so ended up having to pick up an older Windows XP laptop and running the old software on that pulling data out of the old files.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

This is a brand new machine I am just setting up. What I mean by the clean install is that the program just seems to be screwed up, so I want to try and install it again. Somehow, it the machine remembers settings, even when the program has been uninstalled, system rebooted, and program installed from fresh...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

The problem is that my old PC died... I was not able to export anything, but I do have the data directory where all my data files were stored. The support website goes on about copying a 'profile' across, which I didn't have. After a great deal of struggle, I got the C drive from the old machine connected to the new one through usb, and I was able to get the profile folder across. After the initial install, Thunderbird was working, but had no access to my old data. I followed the (extremely vague) instructions which they gave to overwrite the new profile with the old one. When I restarted the program, it came up with access to all my old stuff! Magic! Except it won't connect to my email servers... It prompts for passwords every time - despite my checking the box to have it remember the passwords. When I enter the passwords, it doesn't do anything. It doesn't appear to even try to access the server.

I am having to use the win10 'Mail' app to access emails, but it is pretty basic.

This is the point where I figured I would start again from scratch. I uninstalled the program, removed the profile folders, rebooted the machine, and pulled up thunderbird again. I figured that, worst case scenario, I would just have to abandon my email 'history' and start setting everything up again. However, when it comes up, it has the old stuff in, the old profile is restored, and it still won't access the email servers... So, despite a clean install of the program, it has retained the incorrect settings. I don't understand this at all...

I am growing increasingly frustrated by all this!

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I understand now. When people talk to me about a "clean install" the first thing I think about is an OS install. When I run into situations like this I use System Mechanic and do a registry clean after I have uninstalled a program and rebooted; then reboot again to be sure the old registry setup is gone. There are a number of products out there that will clean your registry but, if you use one, be sure to reboot twice.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Thunderbird.

By default, everything is stored in the Profile. That profile is stored in "Appdata, roaming, Thunderbird". (You will need administrator privileges, and change the file explorer options to show all the system files.) You can install TB but then replace the new profile with your old one. You must copy over the profile.ini file as well. I've just been going through the same thing with my new Dell 8920. This profile copying method worked perfectly.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Ok, I managed to get the profile folder across, but copying that one over the newly created one screwed things up. I now have my history of messages, but the program won't connect to get mail. It keeps asking me to enter my passwords, even though I select the box to have the program remember them. After entering them, it doesn't seem to do anything at all. Certainly doesn't connect.

Where is the profile.ini file stored? I seem to remember looking at that, and it only contained a single line, with nothing that seemed critical...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

2nd reply here...

There is also a profiles folder in Appdata, *local*...

Did you copy the whole profile folder across, or just the contents of it? The reason I ask, is that the profiles.ini file has the name of the profile, so if you copy just the contents across, that would be wrong... Guess I just answered my own question there, huh?

I am going to do another uninstall, and start from scratch here. Copy *both* profile folders into their respective places and also the profiles.ini file... Maybe this will make a difference!

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Hi guys...

It's been a rough couple of days, I can tell you... The good news is that I have Thunderbird up and working correctly, history, settings and all! Several of you helped me a lot, here and through private messages, and I wanted to say thank you to everyone!

Clipmate, however, is another issue - and one which probably can't be helped without some tech support from the company, which may or may not still be in operation. It turns out that the program *is* aware of the location of its database, containing all my valuable data. It even writes new entries into it!
It will not display the contents of its database, however... All my serial numbers, passwords, everything may well be irretrievable... Still looking into my options there, but I am *so* glad that my email situation is now resolved!

Thanks again!