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New computer-trying to set up Thunderbird. Do not want to import anything but address book

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  • Last reply by david

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Trying to set up Thunderbird on new computer. I do NOT want to import anything but address book from old computer. I use Thunderbird to Gmail since I also have an Android phone and want to access emails with Thunderbird and Gmail. I downloaded the Thunderbird installer, but I cannot log into Gmail when the Thunderbird setup asks me to EVEN THOUGH I know I am using the correct Gmail password, it is rejected as incorrect. Do I need to set up a whole new Gmail account? I MUST use the same email address, and I doubt Google will allow me to set up a new account with that address.

Please help.

Trying to set up Thunderbird on new computer. I do NOT want to import anything but address book from old computer. I use Thunderbird to Gmail since I also have an Android phone and want to access emails with Thunderbird and Gmail. I downloaded the Thunderbird installer, but I cannot log into Gmail when the Thunderbird setup asks me to EVEN THOUGH I know I am using the correct Gmail password, it is rejected as incorrect. Do I need to set up a whole new Gmail account? I MUST use the same email address, and I doubt Google will allow me to set up a new account with that address. Please help.

Chosen solution

Ok, - press alt key to display menu bar - then, click view>toolbars and tick 'menu bar' to ensure it stays visible - now, click view>folders and tick 'folder pane header' to display the 'New Message' button

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In setup, I suggest NOT entering password until Gmail asks for it. Leave it blank in setup screen. On addressbook, just click tools>import>import from a file and follow the menus until the 'sqlite' option appears and then click and select the abook.sqlite file from old profile.

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Thank you David.

I copied profile folder from old computer onto USB drive. I brought that over to new computer and got to the profile folder on the new computer. I decided I wanted bookmarks.backups, logins.json, and persdict.dat and substituted those (from the old profile) in place of any corresponding file in the profile on the new computer. Bookmarks came over. Don't know yet about dictionary additions, but the auto login for Thunderbird did not come. Now I cannot log into Thunderbird.

However, I went through the steps to bring over the address book from the old computer and got an error message. Said something to the effect of, 'perhaps more detail in error log', but I could not find the error log.

Any further suggestions?

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Perhaps useful additional info: I used the 'default' option on what profile.

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Figured out how to find 'hidden files' and found that the 'default' folder that import was using was not the right folder. Put in the path of the only other (hidden) folder that contained an address book file and successfully imported that. HOWEVER, still no address book shows up in the Thunderbird on the new computer. Frustrating! Too many addresses to start over from scratch!

Any further help?

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I thought you had identified the right addressbook. It is possible that there is more than one profile in the old profile folder. If you locate the right file, it will have the addresses. Another technique is to exit thunderbird, and use windows file explorer to copy the old abook.sqlite from old profile and replace the one in new profile. That always works.

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Thanks.

I never did get the 'collected addresses' address book transferred. Could not find or figure out where the eqlite file was for that. I've given up trying to transfer any more addresses.

I appreciate your help. I must say that this process is remarkably complex.

Maybe you could help with one more question. I successfully transferred my Firefox bookmarks, but all my file folders (into which I had them organized) are gone. What I have now is a very LONG list of bookmarks with no organization. How can I get my folders back, or at least reorganize and create new folders if I cannot get the old ones back?

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I will pass on the bookmarks question, but for collected addresses, the file is named history.sqlite. You can process it the same as the abook.sqlite file.

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Thanks again.

Sorry, but another question: My Thunderbird opening screen shows no tabs across the top, including lack of any 'new message' tab. The only way I can send a new message is to open the address book. How can I get the tabs back across the top? I cannot even find three dots (...) for more options.

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It may help if you post a screenshot of that thunderbird looks like when started.

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Blacked-out image is what I've got.

Other image (screenshot from another computer) is what I want. Please note the tabs, search bar and "NEW" button on top and the other stuff on the left side missing in the blacked-out image.

How can I get those on the Thunderbird installed on my new computer?

Thanks.

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Sorry, search window is there; other stuff missing.

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Chosen Solution

Ok, - press alt key to display menu bar - then, click view>toolbars and tick 'menu bar' to ensure it stays visible - now, click view>folders and tick 'folder pane header' to display the 'New Message' button

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Thank you David!  : )

Before leaving you to ride off into the sunset, I will say I cou8ld not find any history.sqlite file. (But I've given up on that one, and can live fine without.

Cheers.

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You are very welcome.

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