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Why does TB freeze on Attach/File(s)?

  • 7 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by sfhowes

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I am using TB version 24.3.0 on Windows XP. This problem has only been occurring since I updated to the latest version of TB. When I select Attach/File(s) the pop-up file-selection window opens at the directory that was most recently used for selecting an attachment (about a week ago) and then everything freezes! When I try to close the pop-up, Windows says "not responding" and then TB crashes and the email I have been compiling is lost. Therefore I cannot select any attachments at all - I cannot even hit the "Attach" button or any unsaved data is lost.

I am using TB version 24.3.0 on Windows XP. This problem has only been occurring since I updated to the latest version of TB. When I select Attach/File(s) the pop-up file-selection window opens at the directory that was most recently used for selecting an attachment (about a week ago) and then everything freezes! When I try to close the pop-up, Windows says "not responding" and then TB crashes and the email I have been compiling is lost. Therefore I cannot select any attachments at all - I cannot even hit the "Attach" button or any unsaved data is lost.

All Replies (7)

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Thanks for the suggestion but I have tried safe mode without success. I am using XP not Win 8 and although the OS might not be relevant, I have been using the same antivirus for years. The significant change does seem to be the update to latest version of TB. I have also noticed that TB is now defaulting to an opening view that is different from the one that I have been using. Email works ok as long as I don't want to attach anything.

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The OS is probably not relevant, but if you have your AV program scanning mail folders (generally not recommended), that could causing the problem, even if it's not been a problem before. TB and AV programs update periodically, and it's well known that certain combinations create issues.

As for the other problem of opening to a different view, that could be caused by any number of things, such as CCleaner resetting the TB session, or a corrupted localstore.rdf file. TB should open to the view that existed at the last exit.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Thunderbird

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Toolbar_or_windows_layout_not_working

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Thanks for your suggestions - those two solutions seem pretty daunting - separating profile, backing up, stripping bits out etc! Safe mode makes no difference - the 'attach' lookup window remains locked, and TB crashes if I try to close it. However, I have found that I can drag & drop attachments ok, and that's an acceptable work-around.

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have you tried windows safe mode :- with networking?

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Thanks for suggestions. Tried Windows safe mode, problem persists. Tried earlier restore point, lost TB and had to reinstall, problem persists. Looks as if I'll have to bite the bullet and wade into the heavy stuff in the links suggested by sfhowes on 17 March. Meanwhile drag & drop is ok as workaround.

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The quickest and simplest approach may be to create a new profile with Profile Manager, set up one account, and see if it works properly. If it does, you can set up other accounts and transfer contacts and mail from the old profile to the new one.

To start Profile Manager. Winkey-R, type thunderbird.exe -p

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Thunderbird