I need help to recover/relink mail after archive and install

I am helping my friend fix her 15" G4 PowerBook after memory failures caused many crashes. There was no recovering short of a reinstall via "archive and install". All that worked great, but now Mail doesn't recognize the accounts, mailboxes, signatures, etc. that are still located in the user/library/mail folder.
What's up with that? I can't figure out how to relink Mail to this stuff.
Here's more detail:
1) After lots of prior debugging (Disk Utility, Disk Warrior, Apple Hardware Test, single-user commands per Apple tech notes), I did the A&I to 10.3.4 from the original disks.
2) Per Dr. Smoke and The X Lab, I ran the 10.3.9 combo installer right away so that the "older" system would not get confused by the "newer" stuff in the Previous Systems folder.
3) I Launched Mail and it started anew, i.e. didn't recognize accounts and wanted to start over.
Thanks for any help.

The account settings are stored in HOME/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist. It looks like that file became corrupt -- maybe its permissions went awry (Disk Utility cannot fix that) and Mail just deleted the file to create a new one.
If your friend doesn't have a backup copy of that file, just set up the accounts from scratch all over again. If given the option to import existing mailboxes or something like that, don't. Just enter the account information and Mail will automagically rediscover the data in HOME/Library/Mail/ when done.
You'll also have to re-configure most settings in Mail > Preferences. For spam-related security reasons, the first thing you should do is go to Preferences > Viewing and disable Display remote images in HTML messages if it's enabled.

Similar Messages

Recover mail after archive and install

Hey there good mac people,
I recently archived and installed on my ibook g4. It was successful, my problem is that I forgot to backup all the mail I had in my osx mail app.
The previous system folder (library<mail<mail accounts<com.mac.mailaccounts<English.lproj< file, but I don't know if this will help restore or not?
Some of the mail is still on the server, but it is set to delete from the server once a week, and thus only a weeks worth at best is still on the server.
Does anybody have any suggestions?
In the future, what's the best way to back up mail?

Hello art-is-work.
I don't understand your problem. Archive and Install should have preserved all your data, unless you told it to do otherwise. Did you?
Mail stores most preferences and all account settings in ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist. Everything else, including all your messages and mailboxes, is stored within the ~/Library/Mail/ folder.
If the problem is that you told the installer to not Preserve Users and Network Settings, then Archive and Install should still have saved a copy of your entire home folder in /Previous Systems/Previous System N/Users/, where N is a number. The old Mail folder and preferences file should be there. You can just copy them to the appropriate location of your current home folder, or follow the somewhat convoluted procedure described in the following article to safely restore them:
How to get files from a previous home directory after Archive and Install (Mac OS X)
Note: For those not familiarized with the ~/ notation, it refers to the user's home folder.

Missing mail after "archive and install"

Hello,
I went to talk to the folks at the "genius bar" today because my powerbook fan has been blazing like crazy. I had OS 10.4 on my computer, which I had installed from an upgrade about a year ago. I bought the computer a few months before that, when it still shipped with OS 10.3. So the guy at the mac store told me to re-install the system using the archive and install feature and the original install disks. He told me to re-install 10.3, which came with the computer, and then to run the upgrade that I have to get it back to 10.4.
I am having some problems. I have reinstalled X.3 and find that when I open the Mail application, all of my messages of the last year are gone. I can't find them anywhere. But everything else on the computer seems untouched...all of my documents, and even old emails from before I made the upgrade to 10.4, one year ago.
I am afraid that if I do anything else, like install 10.4 that I will lose any chance of recovering these files. Does anybody have any advice on where I can recover the emails from my inbox and other folders? The guy at the apple store assured me that everything would be saved by clicking the "preserve users and network settings" option in the re-install program.
Or will everything show up again when I re-install 10.4? I was holding off on doing this because I wanted to see if the fan would run less using the older system, as someone suggested that I try this. I also tried to "import" the inbox in the library/mail folder, but this only imported all of the messages that I already have...not the lost ones.
thanks for any advice!
colin

Did the folks or this person at the "genius bar" also recommend that you create or update your backup before performing an Archive & Install?
If not, a "genius" he ain't.
The mbox filing structure used with Tiger Mail is significantly different than the mbox filing structure used with previous Mail.app versions under Jaguar and Panther.
Tiger Mail stores each message contained in a mailbox as a separate file in .emix format located within the Messages folder for the mailbox. Although you can import Jaguar and Panther mailboxes to Tiger, the mbox format used with Tiger Mail is not backwards compatible or interchangeable with Jaguar or Panther Mail without taking an additional step first. The reason you are seeing the old messages available before and up until the time you upgraded to Tiger is because you didn't delete the left over content package files used by Panther Mail and one of these files contains all messages messages and message attachments which are not automatically deleted after the conversion process to the mbox format used with Tiger Mail is completed.
Using the Finder, go to Home > Library > Mail > this POP account named folder (named by the user name and incoming mail server for the account). Within the account named folder is there an INBOX.mbox file and/or an INBOX.mbox named folder and the same for the other mailboxes (mboxes) within the account named folder?
Tiger Mail.app mboxes at the Finder level are folders and each folder contains a Messages folder which stores each message contained in the mailbox as a separate file in .emix format.
Jaguar and Panther Mail.app mboxes are .mbox files only, not a folder.

Help! Restore Display Preferences after Archive and Install

Hi there, Tiger was acting up, so I did an Archive and install, but now have lost my display preferences. Any idea how I can restore them?
I have all my old preferences saved in the Previous System folder the Archive and Install creates, I'm just not sure what file to pull out and where to put it to restore my display preferences. The wife is a graphic designer, so she needs the display prefs the way she had set them up. Thanks!

First, did you Repair Persions since the install, then reboot... they really sould still be there, but it looks like it's here on mine...
Machintosh HD/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist
Of course you'll need to look in Prevoius Systems.
Also, ColorSync and others may hold mor info.

Where is mail stored after archive and install?

Hello All,
I need to know where my old mails are stored after archive and install. To give a bit of background... This is a work computer. Its a MacMini which came with 10.4 installed. Before I joined the company boss upgraded to Leopard and thats what I have been using all this time. Recently it blue screened and I had to do an archive and install after trying various other options.
I only had the original install discs with 10.4 in them and not the Leopard discs. Since I needed to my computer up and running, I used those discs and did an archive and install.
I have all my old documents, etc but I couldn't open mail from the previous systems folder because its a different OS.
Is it possible to retrieve my old emails without having to install Leopard again?
Any help is appreciated.

When I started the computer up, instead of the login page with the account names coming up, there was just a blue screen. There are lots of articles that gave suggestions to try but nothing worked so I had to archive and install.

Cd inserted but unrecognized after "archive and install"

After "archive and install" OS X.2 and clicking on "save settings", everything works fine, except sound cds are not recognized when inserted. iTunes works fine with the original files on hard disk, but doesnt see the cd (it did before).
I repaired permissions. I deleted the "previous systems" folder. still nothing.
I did notice that the "previous systems" folder has an "audio" file in it but the current "system" folder doesnt. I tried copying this audio file into the current "system" folder but I get the notice that it cant be changed.
I need to hear cds on this computer. Any ideas?
(It isnt a speaker problem as the itunes files play fine).
John in Vancouver

Hi John in Vancouver! And Welcome To
Discussions!
Open System Preferences > CDs & DVDs.
Adjust the appropriate setting there, and see if it
helps.
Good Luck!
ali b
Thanks, ali, but I did that early on. Didnt put it in the post. On insertion of a CD I have it set to open iTUnes.
I found a further problem which is that the midi set-up no longer locates my external keyboard. I will check the discussions under audio for this one, however. (I did check about the CD problem in the audio discussion but nothing there.)
John

Finder not responding after Archive and install

I recently encountered my first problem ever with my mac(new in '05) This is the first mac I have owned; I have worked on G3's and G4's in the past. After reading through many message boards and support pages I don't believe my problem to be similar but different to previous posts.
My problem started off with an OS problem that I was able to diagnose in the "help" book I purchased when Leopard came out. It said I should Archive and Install to remedy the problem and keep my files. I ran the archive the install (it gave me no options to preserve user or network settings). After Archive and install my computer started up alright, but I got the permanent beachball and the finder does not work. it is constantly non responsive. I can relaunch finder, but after it restarts it goes non responsive immediately once again. So I can't actually access my "previous system" folder to move anything over. I checked my dock items and finder, they opened, but my itunes asked for an update. I list of update items came up; I did the non-restart items first. they updated fine, (my itunes old itunes playlists are viewable but not playable now) then I did the items that required a restart. That is when I found out that I could not shut down or restart my computer with std. procedures.
Currently I can only access my spotlight or apple pull down menu if I am in a functioning dock program (safari or itunes, quicktime. etc.) after reading some more support pages it looked like the common thing to do was check permissions and verify disk. I did, I repaired two permissions and the disk was OK. I did look at the HD files, they were as I remembered, but unaccessible (greyed out) and the "previous system" folder was present. +It didn't look like I would expect. The HD looked same as it used to just with a previous system folder.+ After checking the permissions and verified the disk I tried a hard restart. It came back the same as before, unresponsive finder and only the few dock items worked along with spotlight. I checked permissions and disk verify again and everything was OK.
Sorry to be long winded I am trying to be thorough...In short, My finder does not work after doing an Archive and Install to fix my original problem (which has been fixed)...the remedy for an unresponsive finder is to do an archive and install. Is another archive and install really going to fix my problem? Can I archive and install OSX 10.4 and work my way back up to 10.5.6?
Secondly is there a way to restart my computer without doing another hard restart?

It won't let me add a new account. I am locked out and when I try to unlock it gives me the beachball and becomes non responsive after it tries to authenticate.
I looked at the log file, I am not sure what exactly to look for. I am no programer. I see an awful lot of negative wording. I see some errors like "error (-4956) locating menu extra but they are mostly under system preferences...I see some stuff in the loginwindow that says is not a full path... Otherwise, the only reference I see to the finder is when I have force quit the finder.
2/8/09 8:59:55 PM com.apple.launchd[114] ([0x0-0x4d04d].com.apple.finder[304]) Exited: Terminated
2/8/09 11:10:17 PM com.apple.launchd[114] ([0x0-0x57057].com.apple.finder[321]) Exited: Terminated

HELP! Problem after Archive and Install

I need help. I did an Archive and install because I was having problems with my ical not opening. I did the archive and install without checking the "preserve settings" box. I want to know what I need to transfer from either the "previous system" folder that was created when I did the archive and install or a back up I have on a seperate hard drive so that I can get all of my info back (ie: mail, addresses, bookmarks etc.). I am also having problems with some 3rd party software. For instance, when I open password plus I don't have access to all of my saved info.
I am feeling overwhelmed right now and know I am not thinking clearly. Do I just copy and paste from the previous system folder to the new system folder?

No, making an image won't help. There isn't anything you really need to copy from the /Library/ folder unless it's in the /Library/Applications Support/ folder in which case you shouldn't have any permissions problems unless you reinstalled your OS and used a different username and password. In this case you will have to change to ownership and permissions to enable moving the folders. In some cases try moving the contents of the folder rather than the folder itself.

FCP S2 wont start after archive and instal.... Please help

Hi I have been on the imac forum with the first half of this problem. Ill start from the beginning to give you some background.
I did a routine apple software update and when restarting my computer it got stuck on the blue screen and would go no further. After trying everything I had to do an Archive and Instal. This worked and I can now fully boot up.
However, after this process my FCP S2 will not work. When I click on any of the FCP S2 icons, they bounce and nothing else happens. It does not matter if I do this from the apps folder or on the desk top. The strange thing is that DVD Studio will open and works like normal.
Is there anything I can do to get my FCP S2 programs to work again and if not how should I go about reinstalling so I will not lose all my projects. What is the proper procedure for deletion and reinstallation.
Thanks so much for your time

The Previous System folder is just a folder. OS X just treats it like any other folder, so Final Cut Studio isn't technically installed. You don't need to necessarily remove it, although the purpose of performing an Archive and Install is so that you can retrieve files from the Previous System folder before removing it permanently.

Help, I lost my system adminstrator account after archive and install

I did an archive and install and checked 'preserve users and network settings'. Prior to install I had two accounts: mine (adminstrator) and my son's. My iTunes and iPhoto are all on my account. After install, my normal desk top appeared. Software update informed me I had updates to download. I started the process and the password window appeared, but would not accept my password. I checked the users in the right hand corner of the menu bar and only my son's account appeared. When I clicked on that, a log-in window appeared (and my desktop disappeared). The only log-in option is my son's account. I can log into his account ok, but mine no longer shows up. I tried to access my account info in the previous system folder, but my son's account does not have sufficient access rights. How can I get my account back?
As a side note, I went to my old mac (a power pc G4 iMac) and could no longer log-in to iTunes Store or to .Mac. I changed my Apple ID password so I can now log into .Mac and the iTunes store. I don't know how to get my adminstrator account back on my Intel mac. My old Mac cannot be upgraded to Leopard and has no airport card.

Same thing happened to me! Now when I want to delete apps I get a window demanding my administrator password. I give it, but that is no longer correct. Actually, I suspect it is but the Administrator name has changed, but I have no idea what it now is. I tried to use the change password utility on the install disk, but it's just exactly that: a password changer, it won't change the administrator name, or even tell you what it is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

Can't Print PDF/Folders Need Password To Opem After Archive and Install

Greetings:
I did a archive and install on my 10.4.11 eMac because of ever sluggish performance and Safari 3.1.1 and QuickTime 1.4 problems (gotta be a better way than all that!). First, maybe by my shakey hand or because of bills, I somehow did the archive and install twice in succession, ending up with 2 previous system folders. (The second one doesn't contain any personal goodies). But I've lost my prefs and happily I regularly Sync Firefox/Thunderbird separately so they weren't lost in the grand sweep-up. I dumped the library folder in the 1st Previous System folder into the "new" System folder's (blank) library one and retrieved most of my functionality. What I can't do now is Print PDFs and annoyingly, most every other system folder wants my permissions password before I can use it. This sneaky lock-out kept NeoOffice from booting for hours despite reinstalling it several times before I realized the NeoOffice folder in the library folder was locked. Unfortunately, Safari seems to choke when you type a password or characters into some input windows, like some kind of auto-fill was trying beat you and gets hung.
How can I kill all these pesky permissions off and how do I recover Print PDF?
Thanks.
James Greenidge

Hi,
Could you clarify this... seems to cover an awful lot of ground...
Did everything standard in print what should be done.

FCP Studio 2 wont respond after archive and instal... please help

Hi I have been on the imac forum with the first half of this problem. Ill start from the beginning to give you some background.
I did a routine apple software update and when restarting my computer it got stuck on the blue screen and would go no further. After trying everything I had to do an Archive and Instal. This worked and I can now fully boot up.
However, after this process my FCP S2 will not work. When I click on any of the FCP S2 icons, they bounce and nothing else happens. It does not matter if I do this from the apps folder or on the desk top. The strange thing is that DVD Studio will open and works like normal.
Is there anything I can do to get my FCP S2 programs to work again and if not how should I go about reinstalling so I will not lose all my projects. What is the proper procedure for deletion and reinstallation.
Thanks so much for your time

backup project and all other work files
clean install Mac OS (this wipes the hard drive clean)
install from installation discs FCP Studio
reinstate the project files

Help--admin password not working after archive and reinstall

I reinstalled leopard and did an archive and install...when it restarts it goes to the logon screen...and asks for my password... and it doesnt work. what should i do? i have all the data i need and also i have a time machine back ups.
i dont want to go through a another hour or 2 re-installing leopard. im typing this off my boot volume on my external.
what do i do about the password?

use this [link|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/11627.html].

Getting space back after archiving and installing

hi i need help!!! guys after i archived and reinstall leopard. eveyting is fine only that i used to have only like 50 gigs of space used and now it says i have 75 gigs used ... Why is that ?? how can i get my space back and the previous system folder its only taking up like 6 gigs stiil where is ther 15 gigs? its like if installed leopard over leopard again please help! i Want to get my space backk

Hi JM111;
When you do an Archive & Install the procedure saves the old system for you in a folder called Previous System. It does this just in case something is missing so that you can recover it from the Previous System folder. Once you have tested the system and applications and are satisfied with it, you can delete the Previous System folder which will return some disk back.
Allan

How do I restore previous settings after archive and install?

I had to do an archive and install (with the box unchecked about users) on Friday after I had a kernel panic issue, but now I don't know if there is a way to restore my previous settings and access my previous files. I found the "previous system" folders, but it restricts my access to almost all of the folders, and I can't even find all of my music (iTunes) files or my stickies. I also can't find all of my bookmarks and internet settings. I'm totally panicked...there is a lot of information for my business that I really can't afford to lose. Please help me!

See the following:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107297.
The following can also apply to locating and moving data from a Previous System Folder. The "Home" folder will be /Users/shortname/ where "shortname" is the user account name you created.
Because you did not transfer the users accounts when you did the Archive and Install you may have created a new user account and password that is not the same as the one you previously used. This means the PSF has different permissions associated with it.
<font "size=+1">Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (* This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ copy any preferences needed for third-party applications
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to another forum user for this information.
Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
The reward system helps to increase community participation. When a community member gives you (or another member) a reward for providing helpful advice or a solution to their question, your accumulated points will increase your status level within the community.
Members may reward you with 5 points if they deem that your reply is helpful and 10 points if you post a solution to their issue. Likewise, when you mark a reply as Helpful or Solved in your own created topic, you will be awarding the respondent with the same point values.

I need help to recover/relink mail after archive and install

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for