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Can't import profile due to mismatched hostnames

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  • Last reply by david

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I'm transitioning to a new computer and am having trouble getting my email profile to import. I’ve installed Thunderbird and set up my account on the new machine. I created a backup of my profile folder and attempted to use the import function for the (very) large file, but I keep encountering numerous errors related to hostname connectivity. Here’s the issue: My email address is still @teleport.com, but since Teleport has transitioned to Earthlink, my incoming and outgoing hostnames have changed to include "earthlink" instead of "teleport." How can I successfully import my old profile onto my new computer when the hostnames no longer match?

I'm transitioning to a new computer and am having trouble getting my email profile to import. I’ve installed Thunderbird and set up my account on the new machine. I created a backup of my profile folder and attempted to use the import function for the (very) large file, but I keep encountering numerous errors related to hostname connectivity. Here’s the issue: My email address is still @teleport.com, but since Teleport has transitioned to Earthlink, my incoming and outgoing hostnames have changed to include "earthlink" instead of "teleport." How can I successfully import my old profile onto my new computer when the hostnames no longer match?

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I am not understanding. Here is a suggestion:

  1. copy the backed up profile to c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles
  2. click help>troubleshootinginformation and scroll down to 'profiles' in left side and click 'about:profiles'
  3. your profile should appear and you can launch from there. BUT if it does not appear then do this:
    • click 'create profile' button in upper left of screen
    • then, click next
    • then, enter short name for proflie, such as MYPROFILE, click the 'choose' button to locate and select the profile, click finish and launch

At this point, you should be using the new profile. Since the accounts don't work, click 'account settings' and update each as necessary for the new names. Don't forget the SMTP servers also.

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Thank you, David! I appreciate your quick response. Your advice was a helpful guide to tracking down what I needed to do. and my issue is now resolved!! WOOT! WOOT!

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Kewl! I was glad to assist. :)

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