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Thunderbird Dictionary Add-on Gets Lost in Dual Boot System

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Paul

Paul
Paul
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I have a dual boot PC Linux (Mint 19.3) & Windows 10 pc. I have Thunderbird 78.8.1 installed on Windows 10 and also installed on Linux. I have set the Thunderbird Profiles on both operating systems to use the same physical profile directory so that when I switch operating systems and open Thunderbird all my emails, accounts etc are there. It works perfectly apart from the Dictionary Add-On (In my case UK English), which I have to reinstall every time I switch between Linux and Windows. For information I always close Thunderbird before switching operating systems and start again in whichever Operating system that I am using.

I have the dictionary and language pack .xpi's downloaded in a folder named "Dictionaries" which I hold in my Thunderbird Profile folder.

I install the add-on by using the "Install Add-On From File" option (I always have to restart Thunderbird before it takes effect). It works fine if I stop and restart Thunderbird within that operating system.

However if I then close down the operation system and re-boot in the other operating system and start Thunderbird the dictionary is nor there and I have to do the "Install Add-On From File" all over again.

Is there anyway that I can set things so that it will remember the dictionary whichever system I use? I would be happy with any workarounds as long as I don't have to continually change it. I am only interested in using the UK English if that simplifies and possible solutions.

Many thanks if you are able to help.

I have a dual boot PC Linux (Mint 19.3) & Windows 10 pc. I have Thunderbird 78.8.1 installed on Windows 10 and also installed on Linux. I have set the Thunderbird Profiles on both operating systems to use the same physical profile directory so that when I switch operating systems and open Thunderbird all my emails, accounts etc are there. It works perfectly apart from the Dictionary Add-On (In my case UK English), which I have to reinstall every time I switch between Linux and Windows. For information I always close Thunderbird before switching operating systems and start again in whichever Operating system that I am using. I have the dictionary and language pack .xpi's downloaded in a folder named "Dictionaries" which I hold in my Thunderbird Profile folder. I install the add-on by using the "Install Add-On From File" option (I always have to restart Thunderbird before it takes effect). It works fine if I stop and restart Thunderbird within that operating system. However if I then close down the operation system and re-boot in the other operating system and start Thunderbird the dictionary is nor there and I have to do the "Install Add-On From File" all over again. Is there anyway that I can set things so that it will remember the dictionary whichever system I use? I would be happy with any workarounds as long as I don't have to continually change it. I am only interested in using the UK English if that simplifies and possible solutions. Many thanks if you are able to help.

All Replies (3)

Matt
Matt
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The issue is the path. as you are probably aware Linux does not use drive letters and path names are delineated using / not \ so the path to the addon is simply getting messed up each time you change operating systems.

Paul
Paul Question owner
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Thanks for the reply Matt. I thought it was connected with that but I cannot find where those paths are kept in respect of my dictionary add-ons.

I already point the "profiles.ini" file in each operating system to the same physical place, using whichever syntax for that operating system - samples below. However it doesn't seem to make any difference for these add-ons (which are kept in a sub folder in my profile folder). One point of interest though is that the Windows "profile.ini" seems to add a second [Install.........] section, which isn't there on the the Linux "profiles.ini".

I was hoping that I could rig up little batch edit or file swap or something similar in each operating system that would run automatically before Thunderbird starts to put the relevant path format in the right place, but I cannot find any information on where that should be.

I'm sure it can be done - it's a case of finding where it is held but my searches haven't come up with anything yet. If you have any ideas where to look that would be much appreciated.

Thanks again

Sample Windows "profile.ini":- [Install8216C80C92C4E828] Default=C:\E\Thunderbird Profiles\paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current

[InstallD78BF5DD33499EC2] Default=C:\E\Thunderbird Profiles\paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=0 Path=C:\E\Thunderbird Profiles\paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current Default=1

[General] StartWithLastProfile=1 Version=2


Sample Linux "profile.ini":- [InstallBC489285358083CF] Default=/media/paul/Windows8_OS/E/Thunderbird Profiles/paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current Locked=1

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=0 Path=/media/paul/Windows8_OS/E/Thunderbird Profiles/paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current Default=1

[General] StartWithLastProfile=1 Version=2

Modified by Paul

Paul
Paul Question owner
more options

Thanks for the reply Matt. I thought it was connected with that but I cannot find where those paths are kept in respect of my dictionary add-ons.

I already point the "profiles.ini" file in each operating system to the same physical place, using whichever syntax for that operating system - samples below. However it doesn't seem to make any difference for these add-ons (which are kept in a sub folder in my profile folder). One point of interest though is that the Windows "profile.ini" seems to add a second [Install.........] section, which isn't there on the the Linux "profiles.ini".

I was hoping that I could rig up little batch edit or file swap or something similar in each operating system that would run automatically before Thunderbird starts to put the relevant path format in the right place, but I cannot find any information on where that should be.

I'm sure it can be done - it's a case of finding where it is held but my searches haven't come up with anything yet. If you have any ideas where to look that would be much appreciated.

Thanks again

Sample Windows "profile.ini":- [Install8216C80C92C4E828] Default=C:\E\Thunderbird Profiles\paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current

[InstallD78BF5DD33499EC2] Default=C:\E\Thunderbird Profiles\paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=0 Path=C:\E\Thunderbird Profiles\paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current Default=1

[General] StartWithLastProfile=1 Version=2


Sample Linux "profile.ini":- [InstallBC489285358083CF] Default=/media/paul/Windows8_OS/E/Thunderbird Profiles/paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current Locked=1

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=0 Path=/media/paul/Windows8_OS/E/Thunderbird Profiles/paul_thunderbird_profiles.default-current Default=1

[General] StartWithLastProfile=1 Version=2