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Profile missing on new install

  • 4 replies
  • 11 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by christ1

avoran
avoran
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My original problem was with transferring a profile to a new computer, but I'll get back to that later. In the process of trying to fix it I seem to have created another one.

When I launch my *newly installed* version of Thunderbird, I get the error message "Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible." Presumably this is because I deleted the profile folder - but note, I did this BEFORE uninstalling and reinstalling TB. I assumed that a new install would create a new profile, but that doesn't seem to be the case. How can I fix this problem?

Note: the reason I deleted the folder is that it was corrupted when I overwrote it with my old profile, so I can't simply "undelete" it to get a working profile back. Working in Win 8, previous profile was created in Win XP.

My original problem was with transferring a profile to a new computer, but I'll get back to that later. In the process of trying to fix it I seem to have created another one. When I launch my *newly installed* version of Thunderbird, I get the error message "Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible." Presumably this is because I deleted the profile folder - but note, I did this BEFORE uninstalling and reinstalling TB. I assumed that a new install would create a new profile, but that doesn't seem to be the case. How can I fix this problem? Note: the reason I deleted the folder is that it was corrupted when I overwrote it with my old profile, so I can't simply "undelete" it to get a working profile back. Working in Win 8, previous profile was created in Win XP.

Modified by avoran

Chosen solution

Start the profile manager and remove the orphan profile entry.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager

Then create a new profile and copy the old one over it.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Create_a_new_profile_and_copy_the_old_one_over_it

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (4)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Start the profile manager and remove the orphan profile entry.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager

Then create a new profile and copy the old one over it.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Create_a_new_profile_and_copy_the_old_one_over_it

avoran
avoran Question owner
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Never mind, fixed it using the profile manager 

(see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager)

and deleting the default profile.

Note that in Windows 8 you don't use the whole file path, just: thunderbird.exe -p

Found that out the hard way :)

avoran
avoran Question owner
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Thanks for responding, christ1. I got the first part of the problem solved before I saw your answer.

Thank you for the rest. It seems to be working, once I was careful enough to follow all the instructions.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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When your problem has been resolved, can you mark this thread as solved please?
Thank you.