finding email logs for netscape 7.0, 7.1

[LARRYB]

God does this sound familiar.

I have read the postings regarding trying to find the emails files in netscape. My probelm was that I just loaded a Microsoft upgrade to XP and now my netscape 7.0 is trashed along with about 7k of emails in various stages. I cannot find the folder that netscape stores the emails incomming/sent and trashed.
I have not reinstalled netscape (only had to set up the incomming and outgoing server locations). My bookmarks/address books are still there but all email is lost. I want to import or move the emil file back into netscape.

Does anyone know the PATH to the magic email folders?????

Larry Barnes

[Moved by profman to proper Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox Forum. 12/5/2007]

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[LARRYB]

Just did a search for all files updated with todays date. found several SNM files and they look like the right file sizes. However the date modified are about 3 to 4 years old.

Does windows update netscape SNM files each time they are used or just when the file was created?

If so then the 2004 dated file would be about the tme I started using nestcape 7.0.

Larry Barnes

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[PaulD]

"Does windows update netscape SNM files each time they are used or just when the file was created?"
1. 'Windows' will not change a date on a file spontaneously. But a SNM file is Opened when the associated mail folder is clicked on. Hence, the date will be changed (yes, this is a function of the Windows File Subsystem); this occurs when a file is Opened or Closed. The mail file date is not changed unless an email within it is opened.
2. When one is in Explorer, one can choose just which dates are displayed in the columns. Go to View > Choose Details. One can choose any combination of the Dates: Modified, Created, Accessed.
3. What was this "Microsoft upgrade to XP"?

"Just did a search for all files updated with todays date. found several SNM files and they look like the right file sizes. However the date modified are about 3 to 4 years old."
4. Huh? 'updated with todays date' ... 'date modified ... years old'. This paragraph logically says that 'todays date' is '3 to 4 years old". Please elucidate.

5. For the (default; one can change this during installation) Profile location, please see this article. You ARE able to find the hidden folders, aren't you?

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.12) Gecko/20070508 Firefox/1.5.0.12

[LARRYB]

Wow, thanks for the link. I will look into it.
It was not a upgrade to XP operating system, it was a microsoft softeware update that killed netscape.
Like i said, my bookmarks are intact, address book somewhat intact and all my inbox, sent, trash emails gone or not being able to find them. The upgdate also slamed my internet connection info, had to reload th smpt and pop addresses back in to access email.

About 6 years ago I used to back up all the folders that contained my emails (I run a internet business). But with 7.x version the files seemed to not be in the same place or i just forgot where they are.

I did a search on my hard drives for all files that had updated dates and times. Hopeing to find my emaiil folder. but no luck.

Larry

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[PaulD]

I repeat:
3. What was the Microsoft update that you applied?
- No update should have touched Netscape.
- Did you have any 'hiccups' during the update?
5. Have you enabled Explorer to show hidden files and folders?
- If not, then you cannot Search for them either.

Yes, the Netscape profile locations changed between NS 4 and 7.

Strong Recommendation (and you knew this was coming):
After you get things straightened out, upgrade to current products.
- I prefer the Firefox (browser) / Thunderbird (email) combination.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.12) Gecko/20070508 Firefox/1.5.0.12

[LARRYB]

WOW, now I am really confused.

I think my problems is several ones. on a earlier post I stated the file dates were 3 -4 years old. These files were located in propgram files\netscape\users\default\mail. Since I have updated netscape several times over the years i am not sure if these older files are for an older version of netscape. that didnt get deleted when the newer version was installed.

I am running 7.01 now and would like to update to 7.2 or above. Right now I am gunshy as wondering if the newer version will pick up my bookmarks,mail,trash, etc from 7.01.

I know it should, but is it advised to back up the files before updating? If so where are the mail files located? I cannot seem to find the hidded files for the new mail, sent, trash that I created about a week ago.

Thanks in advance.

larry

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[Fulvio]

netscape\users\default\mail is the path for NS4.x. So, it is not surprising if it is old, if you did not use 4.x. .snm header files are characteristic of 4.x, while 7.0 andf on use .msf header files.
Paul gave you the correct location for the profiles in XP.
Now, let me get this straight. You had WinXP all along, and some undescribed Microsoft update did the damage. Do I get it straight that you cannot find the hidden files, or don't you know how to "unhide" them?
It is always a good idea to back up when you update, but, what would you update, if you don't find the files? I have another link for the profile location.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.11) Gecko/20071127 Firefox/2.0.0.11

[LARRYB]

yeah, something like that. I suspected that the files were from an older version of netscape. Yes i did have 4.x installed and went up to v6.x and then 7.x.
SO your indicating that I can delete these old files.

Yes, I always had xp installed. About 2 weeks ago a windows update icon appeared on the taskbar. I clicked on it like I have in the pst and the next time I booted my computer and launched netscape the setup wizard for netscape came up. All my data and pop, smtp info was gone. It was looking at a new first time installation.

Now, I do not know if or what the update was, (dont really pay that much attention to it). Maybe netscape did a hic-up and crashed.

I did a search for *.msf, now I have found my missing inbox, outbox and trash files. They are dated 12/04/07, which is the time this all started. I do have newer msf files dated 12/14/07 (today) which are the file after i started netscape again.

I was looking for a import function and noticed that there is one, but I have not attempted to import. It says that it will import files from other programs but it dosent state if it is from netscape or not.

Someone also indicated (not on the board) that I could just click and drag the older msf files in to the inbox, sent and trash and they would transfer over. Dont see how that can be done.

I guess my next question is if I upgraded to a newer version of netscape will these files come over, can I make them come over or do I start all over again?

Thanks for your help.

Larry

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[PaulD]

Well, Larry, you have some some interesting balls of tar to play with. (As in Uncle Remus' story.)(And not related to Unix either.)

With all the confusion that is present, do not delete anything yet. And do not copy anything either; the advice given you to copy (only) the .msf files was wrong, and could lead you into a distracting mess. All your older materials probably are salvable, but you'll have to proceed carefully and with guidance.

But before we can go anywhere, please answer these questions:
1. Fulvio has asked this better than I: "Do I get it straight that you cannot find the hidden files, or don't you know how to 'unhide' them?"
Since you now report that you HAVE found some '.msf' files (which the Search function can do), this leaves on the table the second part of the question, viz. Do you have Explorer enabled to "Show hidden files and folders"? If you don't know how, just say so. This is the last time that I will ask this.
2. Do you require an internet suite (browser+mail in one package) or is it OK to have the functions split? Or does it make any difference?
3. Do you want or need any of the old mail that is residual from Netscape 4.x?

The rest of your questions will be addressed when you've answered these.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.6) Gecko/20060728 Firefox/1.5.0.6

[Ramona]

Yes, I always had xp installed. About 2 weeks ago a windows update icon appeared on the taskbar. I clicked on it like I have in the pst and the next time I booted my computer and launched netscape the setup wizard for netscape came up. All my data and pop, smtp info was gone. It was looking at a new first time installation.

Larry,

Open Netscape Mail
Click on: Edit | Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings | Server Settings
Scroll down the page, and in the right panel find: "Local directory"

The "Local directory" field should contain the path to the original Mail Account folder which contains your current mail. It now points to the new Profile that was created when your system restarted. See this Screen Shot

Open Windows Explorer and browse to the original Profiles folder which contains the current Mail Account folder.
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profile_name\*.slt\Mail\pop.isp_name.net

NOTE: These files are hidden by default.
To see hidden files:
1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options
2. Click the View tab
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders
4. Disable "Hide File Extensions for Known Files."
5. Click OK.

You don't want to do any updating until you have the current problem solved.

To answer your question, yes Netscape 7.2 will pick up your current Profile. Do not install a newer version of Netscape on top of the existing 7.01.

Uninstall 7.01 using Add/Remove
Delete the C:\Program Folders\Netscape\Netscape folder

If there is nothing in the Netscape Communicator Program that you want, then Uninstall using Add/Remove. Then remove the C:\Program Files\Netscape folder
If it has already been uninstalled, then delete the C:\Program Files\Netscape folder


Windows' Updates don't have any effect on the Netscape browser, so I suggest that either your system crashed, or when the Windows update restarted your system, Netscape was open, and therefore could not shut down properly, which caused a corruption of the prefs.js file. This file contains all your settings and mail data, therefore a new Profile was created by Netscape on restart.

One other word of advice: do frequent backups of your entire Profiles folder. If this should occur again, then you will be able to replace the entire Profiles folder.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.11) Gecko/20071127 Firefox/2.0.0.11

[LARRYB]

To paul D:

Well, Larry, you have some some interesting balls of tar to play with. (As in Uncle Remus' story.)(And not related to Unix either.)

With all the confusion that is present, do not delete anything yet. And do not copy anything either; the advice given you to copy (only) the .msf files was wrong, and could lead you into a distracting mess. All your older materials probably are salvable, but you'll have to proceed carefully and with guidance.

But before we can go anywhere, please answer these questions:
1. Fulvio has asked this better than I: "Do I get it straight that you cannot find the hidden files, or don't you know how to 'unhide' them?"

* Yes I found them

Since you now report that you HAVE found some '.msf' files (which the Search function can do), this leaves on the table the second part of the question, viz. Do you have Explorer enabled to "Show hidden files and folders"? If you don't know how, just say so. This is the last time that I will ask this.

* yes explorer shows hidden files

2. Do you require an internet suite (browser+mail in one package) or is it OK to have the functions split? Or does it make any difference?

* one program would be nice

3. Do you want or need any of the old mail that is residual from Netscape 4.x?

* no I dont need 4.x files

The rest of your questions will be addressed when you've answered these

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[Fulvio]

After reading the original question, and all the replies, I could not find any reference to what the original operating system was. All I get is that there was a Microsoft upgrade to XP. What kind of update? Or was it an update from one operating system, like Win98, or 98SE, or whatever to XP.
If that is the case, the "slamming" was due to the fact that file/folders in XP are in a different location from earlier OS. So, where are the bookmarks, and address books? Are they working? As far as I know the Profile was in a different path than it should be in XP. I think that NS should be uninstalled, and then reinstalled (you said tha netscape was not reinstalled). Then, a new location for the profile would be available. A default|xxxxx.slt folder would be created in Documents and Settings.
The xxxxx letters and numbers would be different in this new location than those in the original location.
Do I have something right, or is this another case when a long thread makes everything more and more confusing.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US) AppleWebKit/523.12.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Safari/523.12.9

[LARRYB]

windows XP was installed and it was a windows update that caused all the issues. I have netscape running again but just want to get my messages back in to operation from the crashed netscape.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20021120 Netscape/7.01 (CK-SillyDog)

[Fulvio]

And, you can't find anything on your hard drive, as Ramona outlined?
You may have a crash which will lose the link to your profile or just mail, but the files/folders should not disappear.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.11) Gecko/20071127 Firefox/2.0.0.11