Trying to restore a lost Thunderbird profile, but can't "move profile" because filenames are too long
I'm having a problem with Thunderbird that is addressed in several postings here and on "mozillaZine," but in trying to follow the instructions given for fixing it, I have run into a new problem that I don't see addressed. The original problem is the one described in this thread, where my folders and everything have just vanished, and I'm prompted on startup to create a whole new profile:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1040003
Following the links in that thread, I get to this -- and since my address book has also apparently disappeared, I click the internal link to the section headed "Lost Profile":
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_profile_that_suddenly_disappeared
Step 1 then sends me here:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird
Step 2 on that page says, "Copy the profile folder to where you want to store it." When I try to do that, though (using Windows Explorer on Windows 7), it gets partway through the copying and then hangs up because it runs into a filename that is too long to copy. And according to the prompt that tells me this, there are many more such long filenames still to come.
Do I ignore this error and just skip those files? That means the profile copy won't be complete, which I would think would be dangerous and/or would just cause further errors. Or is there some simpler way altogether to do what I originally set out to do, which is recover the profile that just mysteriously disappeared?
Again, I'm running Thunderbird on Windows 7, and had been using it for years without ever before encountering this extremely irritating glitch. I'll be grateful for any help.
I very much appreciate both these answers and will save them for future reference if needed. The problem seems to be resolved, although not for any reason I can explain. What happened was that I suddenly had three problems all in the same 24 hours or so: a very slow, almost unusable internet (I thought connected with my "IPv6 Connectivity"), then the Thunderbird crash, then Google Chrome not starting. Whether and how these are all related, I don't know. Anyway, while I was sitting here unable to get e-mail or get back into this forum, I decided to try a System Restore just for the heck of it, even though someone else had reported this not working. And it too seemed to fail, at first, giving me an error message that said the system couldn't be restored due to an "unknown error." But clearly at least part of it worked, because I am seeing some earlier settings, and Thunderbird then started -- almost normally, except for needing my passwords entered again.
So I'm running "MozBackup" now in hopes of having the profile readily available next time this problem comes up. Also, Chrome is now working again after I did something or other with the security settings, and the internet seems normal even though my IPv6 status still shows "No network access." I really don't know what's been going on, but for whatever reason everything seems fixed. For now. :-S
Again, I'm sincerely grateful for your efforts to help me. Now that I'm a member of the forum I'll try to do the same for someone else.
Similar Messages
-
Assist to help on my iphone when trying to restore and update. Is state "We're sorry, we are unable to continue with your activation at this time". How am i going to restore back? As my iphone unable to use now.
Which version of the app Cydia are you using?
Has your iPhone been jailbroken? -
one fine day yesterday, my i phone just hangup lost all contact detail. The screen only show a picture depicting cable connection to iTune. I have tried to restore iphone to factory setting but not working . May i know how to proceed to recover lost contacts.
I have taken it back to the Apple store genius bar, but they say they don't see anything wrong. Well unless you use it all day and experience the problems when they happen, you wont see anything wrong. But there are lots wrong with it. But this would be the same store as I purchased the phone. And they backed up my old Iphone 4, but were not able to get anything to load back onto my new phone. So, I lost pretty much everything. But over time, some of my contacts have started showing up, although i am still missing over 800 of them.
-
I took my mac to an iStore in South Africa however my country does not have an iStore. Macbook upgraded from 10.5.8 to mountain lion. I lost the update when I tried to restore my old information. How can I get my update back without paying again?
Ok, that sounds like a valid approach...but now the question is, when you say you lost the upgrade when you tried to restore, exactly what do you mean? Restore from a Time Machine backup, or another kind of backup? What happened to the operating system when you did that?
If it damaged the operating system, you should be able to recover it by restarting your computer holding either the Option key (should result in a grey screen that shows the macintosh hard drive and a recovery hard drive), or by holding the Command and R keys while starting.
You can use the recovery hard drive to reinstall Mac OS X either way. If the Option key restart, click on the recovery hard drive to boot from that.
Then with either approach you will have a screen with a drop-down that gives you choices, such as install Mac OS X, Disk Utility, Terminal. You will want to use Install (or Reinstall) Mac OS X...note, you must be connected to the internet from this point on. -
I am trying to restore an older iPod Touch, but do not have the passcode. I am getting an error message saying that I need to free up some space, but I cannot because I don't have the passcode and have never synced this device to my account. Help..
If it is asking for the screen-lock passcode then:
Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode and then connect to your computer and restore via iTunes. The iPod will be erased.
iOS: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
For how to restore:
iTunes: Restoring iOS software
To restore from backup see:
iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes
If you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.
You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
If problem what happens or does not happen and when in the instructions? When you successfully get the iPod in recovery mode and connect to computer iTunes should say it found an iPod in recovery mode.
Otherwise follow varjak paw recommendation -
I have tried to restore my old iPhone 3, but when i tried the itunes logo and a pic of a USB cable have come up on my phone and now i cant do anything with my phone.Any ideas how i can fix this? I can make/receive call. iPhone 3GS(Ireally don't remember if it's a 3G or 3GS), iOS 3.1.2. Thanks for your help
please help me!!!
-
I have a 3G iphone. I just tried to download the new itunes and lost all my itunes I had. I tried to transfer them from my computer but can't. How can I and what do I do to get the ones I bought before and now have lost.
It has always been very basic to always maintain a backup copy of your computer.
Use your backup copy to put everything back.
If for some reason you have failed to maintain a backup ( not good), then you can transfer itunes purchases from an ipod/iphone/ipad: File>Transfer Purchases -
tried to restore the phone in itunes but it says error 21 and is still stuck on the apple loading page
anyone got a clue how to un freeze it ?See > Check for hardware issues
Related errors: 1, 3, 10-47, 1002, 1011, 1012, 1014, 1000-1020, 1669.
Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694#hardware -
My ipad mini 2 is not turning on. I tried to reset with the power/home buttons but it didnt work. I tried to restore it in DFU mode but it didnt work, i get error 4004. Please help me!
I also tried the ol' whacking 3 times trick...Didn't work to my surprise
-
I tried to restore my I Phone today but now its not working. The screen is stuck with the plug in picture, and only allows me to make emergency calls. It says I have no service and I can't use my phone.
Why does the device show in the left hand side of I tunes, but the right hand side is blank and shows no options?Walter...seems to be a multiplying problem. My problem appears to be the same:
(Original iPhone Restore...HELP !!!
I was having syncing issues with my iPhone (an original) and ultimately took the step to restore the factory default settings in an attempt to start over from fresh...iTunes 'sees' the iPhone device and seems to go through all the requisite restore, load, verify steps, but I can't get the iPhone to load the main menu. I continue to get a window that shows a USB Cable pointing to iTunes...I have had 800 call support technicians and genius bar techs look at the problem without result.
Anybody run into this problem or have any ideas how to resolve? Thanks in advance for any assistance you might offer! regards, mdh)
That was a post I put in LinkedIn hoping to find someone with a similar experience and perhaps a solution. Had intended to post here...then saw your post of what appears to be the same issue.
HEEEEEEEEEEEELP! I want my iPhone back (please) -
HT201210 i tried to restore my new iphone 5 but i couldn't, what can i do?
I tried to restore my new iphone 5 but i couldn't, what can i do?
iOS: Unable to update or restore - Support - Apple
-
im trying to restore my mac book pro but when i get to the mac os x utilities screen it wont let me click anything?
I think ive just done it! I think ive been in Safari clicking file, open files, downloads - and thats where it was grey. i just went from the 'Finder' icon and was able to download its doing it now. i think i need some tuition as i dont know if i wasi n the wrong place initially but i could see the downloads just not click on them. Thank you for your patience Don
-
I bought my iPhone5 4 months ago and now the camera is not working, it only displays black in the screen. I've tried reset, restore for how many times but still the problem is not being resolve. Any help from you Apple team?
There is no Apple here, this is a user to user forum. When you said you restored, then you restore as NEW?
If you restored as New and still the problem persiist, then it time to take a trip to the Apple store. -
m trying to restore backup on i tunes but have forgot the password can i get passed it please
Hello there, hullmartyn.
The following Knowledge Base article provides the options available for resolving the issue you are describing:
iOS: Forgotten passcode or device disabled after entering wrong passcode
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1212
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro. -
i been trying to restore my ipod on itunes but a lil box always pops up saying that my ipod software update server cannot contacted i feel like i tryed everything idk what to do i need help
Try:
- Powering off and then back on your router.
-iTunes for Windows: iTunes cannot contact the iPhone, iPad, or iPod software update server
- Change the DNS to either Google's or Open DNS servers
Public DNS — Google Developers
OpenDNS IP Addresses
- Try on another computer/network
- Wait if it is an Apple problem
Maybe you are looking for
-
In the Bex Excel, I'm trying to filter values of dataprovider DP_1 with multiple single values. The following filter only works for one value (the last in the list of values : COSTCTR2) FILTER_COLLAPS | 1 | FILTER_IOBJNM |
-
Illustrator CS6 crashes when saving or printing
A couple weeks ago, my AI CS6 started crashing when saving complex line work (Rhino Make2D exports) or when I tried to check the printer setting. I've reinstalled AI and installed the latest updates. For a few days, the saving problem went away but i
-
Hi, can I get the substitution tags value used by template and assign this to a variable defined in a Unstructured template? My problem is to manage a conditioned exit action from a reports chain called by several Dynamic Pages thanks Giovanna
-
Hi, I have a question on LAG analytical function. Here is my test scenario. SCOTT@CRP1 > CREATE TABLE test1 AS SELECT 123 document_id, 0 bill_id, 12.40 prev_balance FROM DUAL UNION ALL SELECT 123, 1, 13.2 FROM DUAL UNION ALL SELECT 123, 2, 1.2
-
Can't close Quicktime Windows!! CMD-W is not working
Hi my quicktime did not close anymore..CDM-W is not working and neither can i see the red amber green icons on the top left.. there is no menu when i try to rightclick within the video. the effect is dramatic that every time i open quicktime it autom