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Thunderbird blank on Mac with shared profile

  • 6 replies
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  • Last reply by rloseytx

rloseytx
rloseytx
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I've used Thunderbird on my iMac for about 10 years, but then the iMac hard drive crashed with no warning, so I couldn't access it.

I realized it would be better to save my TB data on a NAS. While I was waiting for a replacement iMac (it took about 5 weeks), I set up TB on Linux and on Win10 to access the TB profile I had on the iMac (thanks to Mac's Time Machine, I have been able to recover all [almost all?] of the data).

The new iMac arrived; I installed TB and changed the profile.ini file to point to the NAS, but TB just comes up blank. There don't seem to be any errors; just no files. It works fine on Win10.

It sounded like the Big Sur issue described in a closed thread, but I'm running an M1 Apple with macOS 12.15.1 (Monterey).

I'm stumped, and would appreciate ideas.

I've used Thunderbird on my iMac for about 10 years, but then the iMac hard drive crashed with no warning, so I couldn't access it. I realized it would be better to save my TB data on a NAS. While I was waiting for a replacement iMac (it took about 5 weeks), I set up TB on Linux and on Win10 to access the TB profile I had on the iMac (thanks to Mac's Time Machine, I have been able to recover all [almost all?] of the data). The new iMac arrived; I installed TB and changed the profile.ini file to point to the NAS, but TB just comes up blank. There don't seem to be any errors; just no files. It works fine on Win10. It sounded like the Big Sur issue described in a closed thread, but I'm running an M1 Apple with macOS 12.15.1 (Monterey). I'm stumped, and would appreciate ideas.

All Replies (6)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
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In 'Account Settings' > 'Server Settings' for account Bottom right - 'Local directory:' but where is it pointing to ?

rloseytx
rloseytx Question owner
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I don't understand... TB has nothing... the Account Settings will not bring up any window.

Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
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rloseytx said
I don't understand... TB has nothing... the Account Settings will not bring up any window.

Check Tools > Developer > Error console for error information

rloseytx
rloseytx Question owner
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I think I've figured it out... TB also won't run on Linux saying it's too old, but it is about as new as the ones on the iMac and Win10.

I think the real issue is that MacOS is a flavor of Linux, and some program has run, resetting the ownership and permissions on the TB profile. I suspect this change is what is making it not run on them. Win10 doesn't seem to care or check as much, so it runs fine there.

I'm going to need to play around with the program that is resetting permissions. I need it to run on most of the NAS, but I need it to exclude certain folders. I expect I'll get this to work; it just may take a little time.

I had totally forgotten about the program running to keep files accessible to all accounts.

Once I get this fixed (it may take a little while), I expect to post success.

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
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re: TB also won't run on Linux saying it's too old, some info:

rloseytx
rloseytx Question owner
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Thanks for the comment and link; my OP was unclear; when I said "TB also won't run on Linux saying it's too old..."

The "it" refers to Thunderbird, not Linux. It claims that the profile is from v68 or earlier (which isn't true).

I think it is the file permissions (which I'm still working on).