Unlike Airmail, I think this is one of the best version of Thunderbird ever released. But hen he was not around for the V3 release.

have you tried safe mode? Hold the shift key while you start Thunderbird and continue in safe mode when prompted.

The response was kind of a double edged knife, it runs under safe mode and it will then run two times in regular mode, then the problem shows back up. What I have decided to do is to run Version 31.2.0 until a solution is found for the problem. I know it is not my computer or the way that I have it configured, as there are many others that have the same problem.

Did my screenshot ever finish loading?

I saw that "siliconglen" was able to access his email if he opened the inbox account in another tab, but that would not let you delete emails, just mark them as having been read. I have been with Thunderbird for a LONG time, and I have heard that Mozilla is not going to be doing any further development of it. Shame, that is what killed Netscape! [Anybody remember Netscape 8?]

Thanks Matt for your quick response.

JPKirkpatrick

I just did the upgrade to 38.2.0 yesterday. Was Working Full AND Fine on previous version. This NEW version, either does NOT COME UP AT ALL, maybe coming up with a "Thunderbird has Crashed" message, after giving it OVER an Hour to come up.... Or it has come up with folders showing on left side, NOTHING on the right, and MANY missing items on the top (NO Command line like Files or help). It DOES come up in Safe Mode. I have Windows XP Sp3, so since people are having problems with Windows 7 AND 8 ALSO, and my Last version WAS WORKING, I don't think it is an XP problem. I thought that waiting a week or two, after getting messages about doing the upgrade, was being cautious.. That I wouldn't be downloading a BETA.

We are into a third release since Mozilla dropped out. The organization is a bit of a mess still, what with Mozilla leaving us no ability to actually hire staff. But we are determined.

@RandMF, I think anyone still using XP in defiance of the lack of support is basically asking for trouble. There are free alternatives, I suggest you use them. It is bad enough my bank is still using it in their cash machines, but at least they do not expose it to the internet with a browser and email enabled.

@JPKirkpatrick Please post that screen shot. Unless we work it through there is little chance of your so called bug getting fixed, as there is no bug filed and no steps to reproduce so a developer can actually look at the issue.

The following are standard diagnostic steps. you should always try both things before you do anything else where a new version is released and causes you troubles.

To diagnose problems with Thunderbird, try one of the following:

• Restart Thunderbird with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender.
• Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX

If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.

The only way that I have been able to get Thunderbird to work properly has been to retrograde to 31.2.0 (I did not try any version between it and 38.2.0). Safe mode partially works, but since 31 works and 38 does not I don't see how any other item can be at fault, since they have not changed. Screenshot has been 're-uploaded'. Oh, by the way, another user "siliconglen" from the UK and running Win10 has the same EXACT problem that I have, and a reported 6 other known users have reported the same problem, came about the same way too. JPKirkpatrick

Unfortunately many things can cause a new version to have issues that the previous did not. Some obviously are internal, but most are external. Things like anti virus programs that have sorted fine for years suddenly misbehave. They scan the message files while Thunderbird is trying to use them and basically slow things to a crawl. Or block access to the internet entirely as they re not set to accept this new program and instead of asking choose block.

This version significantly tightens SSL/TLS security and this has tripped up many with older security setting on their servers, but this is not your issue as it works for two days. That is unless in those two days you change versions.

You say safe mode partially works. What does that mean exactly? Is that the works for two days part?

One other thing to check right at the beginning is that hardware acceleration is turned off in Tools menu > options > advanced > General. It has been causing weird issues ever since it was turned on. WE recently reverted the default to disabled, but that does not really help those that already have it on.

Do you have a link to this exact same issue you mention?

Go to the help menu and select troubleshooting information. click the show profile button. Close Thunderbird. Check in task manager that the task for Thunderbird is closed. delete the following files. foldertree.json panacea.dat Session.json localstore.rdf XULSTore.Json.

These are all cached information or in the case of XULstore and local store windows positions etc. Deleting them is basically resetting things to their default values. without affecting your mail accounts and add-ons.

While I do not know what the issue is. That may well force fix it as the files are rebuilt.

JPKirkpatrick,

Were you using the Lightning/calendar addon at the time?

Might have been it. Possible that when I got the update, the (now) built-in Lightning was having a problem with the Addon Lightning. Maybe the update was Not removing the addon? Haven't had any problems for a bit. But, of Course there are more Updates coming thru and thru and thru.. Still using 38.2.0.

No, I run Thunderbird just as a Plain Vanilla eMail Client.

I have had no further problems since retrograding to 31.2.0. I have had to turn off the update/upgrade.

I don't understand why Mozilla ceased the Thunderbird program, but I have to question Mozilla's commitment to any of their products. I use Firefox 41.0.1 and it seems to have problems that earlier versions did not have... Sad details...