A master password needs to be set deliberately. If you get the master password prompt you presumably set one in the past.

For more information see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Master_password

I too have the problem of the Software Security Device.

I tried to remove the password by deleting the file "key3.db" but I can't find the file. Where should I look? Since I never set a Master Password (I have other password protection.),

I'm sort of at a loss for how this happened. One day the machine worked. Next day it did not.

Eric Johnson

In the above linked article it states.. To reset a forgotten master password do the following. Thunderbird: Choose Tools ->Developer Tools-> Error Console, paste the expression: openDialog("chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul") and press the Evaluate button. That will open a dialog asking you if you want to reset your password.

No place does it mention the key3.db file.

I have never used "Master Password". Someplace I read that Thunderbird, in a very recent release, sets the master password itself. As a result, I am now to lose all of my passwords including nearly 100 passwords that are carefully protected and managed? That sucks!

I suddenly think I may have the solution. Would this "Master Password" have any effect on an Amazon.com account used to purchase things or a Washington Post account used to pay for a subscription? It only would impact processing of my email account(s)?

Perhaps it will be very easy to resolve using the dialog statement you provided.

Thanks.

ejstruan,

if your problem isn't resolved yet, please start a new topic for your problem. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new