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Move or merge TBird address books from a "dead" disk to current installation?

  • 2 replies
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  • Last reply by John_chase

John_chase
John_chase
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Old boot disk failed to start Windows 7 Pro because a "critical boot file" got corrupted somehow at previous shutdown (shutdown appeared "clean"). Re-installed Windows 7 Pro to a new disk, downloaded and installed Thunderbird, etc on the new disk, and now access the "dead" disk as another "local" disk on the new installation. The Thunderbird Profiles directory on the "dead" disk is completely readable but I can't seem to find the "address books" (there were four). Also can't find the magic incantation to start Thunderbird while pointing to the "old" profile so I can "Export" the address books. Any hints?

TIA, John Chase

Old boot disk failed to start Windows 7 Pro because a "critical boot file" got corrupted somehow at previous shutdown (shutdown appeared "clean"). Re-installed Windows 7 Pro to a new disk, downloaded and installed Thunderbird, etc on the new disk, and now access the "dead" disk as another "local" disk on the new installation. The Thunderbird Profiles directory on the "dead" disk is completely readable but I can't seem to find the "address books" (there were four). Also can't find the magic incantation to start Thunderbird while pointing to the "old" profile so I can "Export" the address books. Any hints? TIA, John Chase

Chosen solution

Copy over the entire profile instead. Instructions in this article: 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

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christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Copy over the entire profile instead. Instructions in this article: 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

John_chase
John_chase Question owner
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I did substantially that to synchronize my archives, but found that I had a recent export of my address books from my laptop, which I keep synch'ed manually to the desktop machine. Just copied my archives and "local folders" from the "dead disk" profile to the new installation, and all is well.

Thanks, 

   -jc-