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Two computers with Thunderbird. Only one gets inbound POP messages. Why? How to fix?

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  • Last reply by dukebright

dukebright
dukebright
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Many years ago, I had two computers receiving email. Both received a copy of each email.

I am attempting a move from my old Thunderbird (38.5.0 in Windows XP) to a new 98.9.1 in Linux Cinnamon Mint. I sent an email to the mailbox. It was received only by the new Tb. I shut down Tb and restarted it. I sent a second email. It was received only by my old Tb.

The server settings are: Check at startup, Check every 10 minutes, Automatically download, Leave messages on server, Until I delete them."

I can find no option to allow the email to be downloaded by two Linux versions of Thunderbird, though surely that must be routine for those who receive their email both on a computer and phone. I need a POP solution, since I can be away from either version of Tb for some time.

Help, please!

Many years ago, I had two computers receiving email. Both received a copy of each email. I am attempting a move from my old Thunderbird (38.5.0 in Windows XP) to a new 98.9.1 in Linux Cinnamon Mint. I sent an email to the mailbox. It was received only by the new Tb. I shut down Tb and restarted it. I sent a second email. It was received only by my old Tb. The server settings are: Check at startup, Check every 10 minutes, Automatically download, Leave messages on server, Until I delete them." I can find no option to allow the email to be downloaded by two Linux versions of Thunderbird, though surely that must be routine for those who receive their email both on a computer and phone. I need a POP solution, since I can be away from either version of Tb for some time. Help, please!

Chosen solution

This sounds like a gmail account. Is it?

If so go here https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#settings/fwdandpop and ensure you are getting all mail on POP, even that which has already been downloaded.

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Matt
Matt
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Chosen Solution

This sounds like a gmail account. Is it?

If so go here https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#settings/fwdandpop and ensure you are getting all mail on POP, even that which has already been downloaded.

dukebright
dukebright Question owner
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Yes, it is gmail. I'm getting there ahead of the 30 May deadline that antiquates my old 38.5.0 Thunderbird, still running happily in Windows XP. Your solution works! Here are some more details, for anyone else with this issue: Log into Gmail. Your link gets me to a login screen, but is not preserved after login. Click settings (the gear, top right) / Click See all settings / Click Forwarding and POP/IMAP in the top tabs (this gets to the link you gave) In the Pop download section: 1. Enable POP for mail that arrives from now on and 2. .. keep Gmail's copy in the inbox. You can 1. Enable POP for all mail, but my emails go back to 2009, so that would lead to a massive download on the new computer. Gmail's options are well thought out.

I can be away from one of my computers for weeks, and may have extended periods with internet unavailable, so I need to POP email onto my computers. I configure the "Server Settings" in Thunderbird to "Leave messages on server" and "Until I delete them." Gmail probably keeps them whether or not I ask for it.

Thanks, Matt! I found several suggestions on line and tried them, but yours is the first that worked!