I thought I found the right file to restore my Thunderbird files

What happened in the first place that you had to restore a backup?

I copied the file and pasted it to this Thunderbird file.

Can you explain what exactly you copied from where to where? Please provide the full path. Please do not mix up files and folders.

I deleted my e-mail profile and closed Thunderbird before I did any of this.

Are you saying you deleted your account in Thunderbird? Why?

Then I reinstated my e-mail account.

Please explain in more detail what that means.

I wanted to thank you for your reply...I have been working some crazy hours so I couldn't get back to you... see below and thank you again!

   I thought I found the right file to restore my Thunderbird files 

What happened in the first place that you had to restore a backup?

• • My computer was so slow I decided to restore it to its original state.

   I copied the file and pasted it to this Thunderbird file. 

Can you explain what exactly you copied from where to where? Please provide the full path. Please do not mix up files and folders.

• • The file is on my desktop. It is called "Thunderbird Restore." I copied it to the folder "C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\9k2py1g1" I copied it to the folder "9k2p1g1.default"

I don't know if that is the right folder to copy the restore folder to. Obviously it is not because the restored items are not there.

   I deleted my e-mail profile and closed Thunderbird before I did any of this. 

Are you saying you deleted your account in Thunderbird? Why?

• • I read somewhere that one should do this before restoring.

   Then I reinstated my e-mail account. 

Please explain in more detail what that means.

I had deleted my Thunderbird account, so I re-added it. It didn't help :(

I just don't understand! What did I do wrong? What can I do to fix it? How can I get my restored files to show up in Thunderbird? TIA for your help! :D

Just wonder if you copied it into you profile as a subfolder or if it overwrote your profile? How did you create your backup? Is it a full copy, a partial copy or a compressed (zip) copy? You copied to "C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\9k2py1g1" That place, you profile, should have ended .default I assume it was a mistyping.

Only if your "Thunderbird Restore" was a full copy or if you expand a ziped one

To not destroy anything try:

• Rename your old profile fx "X9k2py1g1.Xdefault" or move it.
• Copy your "Thunderbird Restore" (I think it contains a folder 9k2p1g1.default with subfolders) so C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles contains a new 9k2p1g1.default

Try restart Tbird

Unfortunately, this did not work..I must have not done it correctly.

I renamed my profile (Or I thought I did) to the "X" profile as you instructed, then I copied the restore file and pasted it to the file.

It did not overwrite anything.

What file should I copy the restore file to? I tried to copy it to the "X" file folder - I also tried to copy it to one file folder up from this folder and then Thunderbird couldn't open because it said my default mail profile could not be opened.

• • SIGH** I don't think I will ever get this accomplished :(

Gnospen said

• Copy your "Thunderbird Restore" (I think it contains a folder 9k2p1g1.default with subfolders) so C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles contains a new 9k2p1g1.default

I wasn't clear enough you should have copied the folder or subfolder in Thunderbird Restore that has the name 9k2p1g1.default

As I said, there should be a new: C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\9k2p1g1.default AFTER copying.

The reason for renaming was to NOT overwrite your old profile.

I don't know what "Thunderbird Restore" contains (tell me). I assumed it is a copy of your profile, zipped or partial or full.

Now open your X9k2p1g1.Xdefault and tell me if there is any subfolder named 9k2p1g1.default or Thunderbird Restore. If its the latter open it and tell me if this contains a 9k2p1g1.default.

When (if) you find it move it to be in the same folder as X9k2p1g1.Xdefault.

If Thunderbird Restore is not a folder try view it in 7-zip or any un-zipping program. If you can view it unzip it to C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

I wasn't clear enough you should have copied the folder or subfolder in Thunderbird Restore that has the name 9k2p1g1.default

As I said, there should be a new: C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\9k2p1g1.default AFTER copying.

The reason for renaming was to NOT overwrite your old profile.

I don't know what "Thunderbird Restore" contains (tell me). I assumed it is a copy of your profile, zipped or partial or full.

• • it is a carbonite backup of my comcast mail account. It has my old mail, folders, contacts, etc.

Now open your X9k2p1g1.Xdefault and tell me if there is any subfolder named 9k2p1g1.default or Thunderbird Restore.

• • No, there is not. Neither one.

If its the latter open it and tell me if this contains a 9k2p1g1.default.

When (if) you find it move it to be in the same folder as X9k2p1g1.Xdefault.

If Thunderbird Restore is not a folder try view it in 7-zip or any un-zipping program. If you can view it unzip it to C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles It is two file folders. A total of >8,000 files in two folders.

Again, thank you for all your help and advice.

Maybe you should turn see hidden files on. To show hidden folders, open a Windows Explorer window and choose "Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders".

There is a page at Carbonite about restoring Thunderbird. http://support.carbonite.com/articles/Personal-Pro-Windows-Importing-Your-Thunderbird-Data

I have seen that page before and tried to follow the directions.

I found the file C:\Users\Regina\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles and deleted everything in the file. I copied the restore file and pasted it to the now empty file.

The restore files are STILL not there in thunderbird.

I give up :(

Thanks anyway :)

make a last attempt start tbird from RUN (use shortcut: windows-key + R) write: Thunderbird -P That starts profile manager. See if you can find your profile.

No luck-nothing happened :(

Regina1967 said

No luck-nothing happened :(

What do you mean? nothing??? Didnt profile manager start? what were your options? Error?