Check you do not have the caps lock switched on.

If nothing to do with caps lock then follow the instructions at this link to reset the Master Password. Please note: this will also remove all stored mail account passwords because the purpose of the Master Password is to prevent non authorised people from seeing/having access to those mail account passwords. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/protect-your-thunderbird-passwords-master-password#w_forgotten-password

Thanks, I appreciate the advice .. I followed the clear instructions. BUT .. TBird won't recognise the original PW. Therefore, I cannot Reset the PW (or reinstall the old one.)

Please please tell me there is a way to fix this. TBird just keeps asking for a Master Password. I enter it and it is not recognised. Hence the frustrated query to you folks.

I can't get or send emails. Urrrgh! This happened after I did a "Time Machine" reset back a month because of problems. I never expected THIS kind of Snafu .. Please help .. How to reset master PW when it is not being recognised.

Cheers, Denis

OH .. and PS .. How do I back up my email account data from that last decade? Would one of you provide where I find it on my Mac so I can back it up please please please?

At the link provided the section called 'Changing or removing the master password' will assume you know the password and will prompt for it. However, the 'Forgotten Password' instructions are simply removing the entire bunch of passwords and therefore should not ask for any password.

Actually, having just read those instructions, they need updating. Please try the following: 'Menu icon' >'Tools' > 'Developer Tools' > 'Error Console' clear the content usingthe bin icon Then paste the following into the bottom openDialog("chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul") Press enter Click on 'Reset' see images as guide

Thanks Toady .. But when I DID: "'Menu icon' >'Tools' > 'Developer Tools' > 'Error Console' clear the content usingthe bin icon Then paste the following into the bottom openDialog("chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul") Press enter Click on 'Reset' see images as guide" There was NO RESPONSE at all when I entered ENTER/Return Also, there were NO IMAGES as you indicated there would be. "Click on 'Reset' see images as guide" ..

Any clues?

All I get in the Window is "NS_ERROR_ABORT: User canceled master password entry" Mr Toad.

Also: there WAS NO 'Reset' button or tab or link. So I just hit Return. Still Nothing. Any clues?

BTWay .. when the command line says "chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul" . Does that mean that Google/Chrome provides all the codes and settings for Tbird? As in "CHROME://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul . ?? Fascinating Mr T. Anyway .. I would LOVE it if you can help me solve this email snafu!

Ohh .. and WHERE can I find the T'Bird DATA on my Mac to Back up please? I understand it is in the Library somewhere? Any clues Mr T?

re :WHERE can I find the T'Bird DATA on my Mac to Back up please Mac OS X Profile folders are located here:

• ~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/<Profile name>/

The tilde character (~) refers to the current user's Home folder, so ~/Library is the /Macintosh HD/Users/<username>/Library folder.

Suggest you copy the 'Thunderbird' folder as it contains everything including the 'profiles.ini' file.

re :"chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul" . Does that mean that Google/Chrome provides all the codes and settings for Tbird?

No. 'chrome' in this instance has nothing to do with Google/Chrome.

re :Also, there were NO IMAGES as you indicated there would be. They are visible in this forum question.

After.... Error Console, paste the expression: openDialog("chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul") In Windows OS, you press 'Enter/REturn' button and this then opens another pop up window asking for 'Reset' confirmation.

There used to be an option to press the 'Evaluate' button. That will open a dialog asking you if you want to reset your password. Does your MAC have an 'Evaluate' button? If yes, then press that instead of 'Enter/Return'.