When you update you will get the correct version

Thunderbird has gone totally whacked. This morning it would not 'send' my emails. I kept getting this error message: Sending of the message failed. Unable to open the temporary file C:\Users\Lena\AppData\Local\Temp\nsmail-3.tmp. Check your 'Temporary Directory' setting.: Well I have no idea what that means or how to check it.. And it will not save as a draft anymore either....Next, I went to the help tab in thunderbird and as soon a I click 'about thunderbird' it started automatically updating to the 45 version and there was nothing I could do.. When it finished, I still could not send emails or save as a draft

Yeah, it can be very disturbing when that happens. This is a symptom of one of your installed addons not behaving well. But good news, your data is still all there. It's just not displaying it.

Let's fix that. Use these steps exactly...

Use step 1 "If Thunderbird is not running" from https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/safe-mode-thunderbird#w_how-to-start-thunderbird-in-safe-mode to start Thunderbird in safe mode.

Go to tools | addons. Click the gear at the top and do "check for updates". Make note of the version of Lightning/Calendar. Restart Thunderbird.

Is all well?

If not, start in safe mode again. Go to tools | addons. Remove Lightning/Calendar. Disable all other extensions. Restart Thunderbird.

Please post your results, and if calendar is still not behaving well we'll take the next set of steps.

Wayne, thank you for responding so quickly but I had already muddled through and went in search of another version of the calendar and downloaded it and like magic, my calendar was back... But I still can't send email or save as a draft.. can we fix that problem? If so, I'm good to go!

> Wayne, thank you for responding so quickly but I had already muddled through and went in search of another version of the calendar and downloaded it and like magic, my calendar was back...

good work!

> But I still can't send email or save as a draft.. can we fix that problem? If so, I'm good to go!

Sounds like another addon. Start with safe mode. Post results

I started in safe mode, restarted with addons shut off but still can't send an email.. It did save it as a draft this time.. here is my popup from trying to send and email. I don't know a thing about 'settings'.... :Sending of the message failed. Unable to open the temporary file C:\Users\Lena\AppData\Local\Temp\nsmail-3.tmp. Check your 'Temporary Directory' setting.

Sounds like https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=988797

Do you have McAfee or some other addon?

Wayne Mery said

Sounds like https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=988797 Do you have McAfee or some other addon?

I 'had' McAfee Anti-Spam Thunderbird Extension but that has been disabled for a long time. AVG PC Tuneup is on here somewhere..

We've learned that disabling such things sometimes doesn't actually work.

You're on Windows 8.1?

Start *Windows'* safe mode with networking enabled - win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode Does problem go away?

If yes, the problem is some software that is loaded during Windows' startup

Wayne Mery said

We've learned that disabling such things sometimes doesn't actually work. You're on Windows 8.1? Start *Windows'* safe mode with networking enabled - win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode Does problem go away? If yes, the problem is some software that is loaded during Windows' startup

Yes I'm running 8.1... but I used the old rule of thumb, when all else fails, reboot.. so while everything was disabled, i rebooted my laptop and 'bingo' I can send now.. thank you for all your help. :)