message could not be filtered, other operation in progress (building summary .msf file)
I have a recurring issue at each startup, half of my filters do not work and get an error message that it could not be filtered due to another operation in progress. These filters are just moving an email from the inbox to a specific folder.
When I look at the destination folder indeed, I have a 1 to 2 seconds delay with the "building summary file" notice on the task bar.
I have tried to repair/compact the folders. I have tried to delete the .msf file and have them recreated by TB.
But still at the next startup of TB, some of the folders still need to rebuild the .msf file and can't receive the emails from the filters.
It is happening even with folders that have less than 20 messages in them.
It is extremely annoying as I have to block any email reception on boot, then manually click on each of my 100 folders to have the 'building summary' done before receiving email.
It is becoming so frustrating that I am considering switching away from TB that I have been using for over 10 years now...
Chosen solution
I found a solution to my problem.
I had to lower mail.db.max_open to 20 and now I don't see the filtering error or the constant rebuilding of the .msf file.
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If a folder hasn't changed since the last restart, it shouldn't have to rebuild the index, unless there is some other process, such as AV, operating on the folder. Assuming you don't have AV scanning mail folders, it's possible the repetitive 'building' is due to a corrupted mail folder. To repair a folder, follow the instructions here. Once you have fresh set of folders, see if the filters work without interruption.
Or, to test with a smaller set of folders and filters, you could create a second profile with Profile Manager, add an account and create a filter, and see if it works properly. To start PM, close TB, Winkey+R, type thunderbird.exe -p
I agree with you that the .msf should not be rebuilt every time; I have tried to create new folders, I have tried to move emails from an old folder to a new one, I have tried to delete the .msf file, but still most of the folders need to rebuild every time.
And my AV does not scan the TB profile folder.
By creating a log, I can see that while the .msf is present and in the folder (was created by the prior session), I got a few errors on some random .msf files. The .msf files are different at each session.
[12864:Main Thread]: I/MsgDB error opening db 80550005 [12864:Main Thread]: I/MsgDB error opening db 80550006 [12864:Main Thread]: I/MsgDB error opening db 80520006 [12864:Main Thread]: I/MsgDB error opening db 80004005
If you have the required patience, you might want to look at this bug report, which I don't really understand, but has similarities with your issue, and suggests it may work if you run filters manually rather than automatically on checking for new mail.
The problem may be that downloading new messages forces a re-index, but the action of the filter to move messages also prompts a re-index, and the two processes clash if the folder is such that the re-indexing doesn't complete before the message is moved. It might work better if the action is to copy rather than move, or run manually, which has the effect of allowing the initial re-indexing to complete.
But I still think it's worth testing in a new profile.
Modified by sfhowes
Chosen Solution
I found a solution to my problem.
I had to lower mail.db.max_open to 20 and now I don't see the filtering error or the constant rebuilding of the .msf file.