Almost all functionality gone

[sync45]

Hello. This is the first time I've had to post here.

After nearly 2 years of trouble-free use, TB has suddenly lost most of its functionality. I have uninstalled and reinstalled it several times, but the problem continues. Here are the main symptoms:

-I cannot start the app "cold" while the PC is running. I have to restart the PC before TB will open.

-When it opens, it does not default into the last folder I was using, as it used to do. In the message field in the center of the display, all I get is 3 categories in horizontal bars: Email, Accounts, and Advanced Features. Clicking on them produces no response.

-The main folders listed vertically in the left-hand side of the display (e.g. Inbox, Sent, Trash etc.) do not respond when clicked on. The only way to read their contents is to open them as tabs.

-I cannot compose mail. The "New Message" function does not respond.

I'm on the verge of giving up and finding another email client, as much as I like TB. Any suggestions much appreciated

Thanks,
Sync

[DanRaisch]

Does the same thing occur if you launch the application in Mozilla Safe Mode? http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_mode

What version of Thunderbird? Check that under Help->About...

[sync45]

Hi Dan. Yes, using safe mode (no add-ons) changes nothing. Just tried again and now TB will not open. I will have to restart the PC (W8.1) to get it open.

[sync45]

PS I'm using the latest TB version.

[DanRaisch]

Clear the browser cache and the Windows Temp directory.
Shutdown any anti-virus software you are running.
Download a new copy of the full installer from http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/
Delete the directory C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird
Run the installer.
Restart the anti-virus program.

Note that your saved messages, address books, settings, passwords, etc (if any) are stored in a different directory from the program files and will not be removed by deleting the directory identified above.

This thread viewtopic.php?f=39&t=996475&p=5239885#p5239885 has a more detailed version of the above instructions if needed.

[sync45]

I cleaned everything up with Disk Cleanup and CCleaner and did the rest you suggested, although I'm not 100% I did it correctly. In any case, no change whatsoever.
Sync

[DanRaisch]

PS I'm using the latest TB version.

Please check the specific version number under Help->About. Depending on config settings, frequency of use, etc, etc, it's possible that Thunderbird has not updated to the current release version, 38.3.0.

[sync45]

"Help About" doesn't work, but troubleshooting info does. Yes, Ive got the latest version.

BTW, how do I go about about locating C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird (as you previously mentioned)? I'm fairly new to W8.1.

Many thanks,
Sync

[sync45]

UPDATE

I just found out how to use File Explorer in W8.1. I searched for C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird, but it could not be found. This is puzzling because when I reinstalled TB, it said it was being placed in C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird.

[no user names left]

Hi Sync,

I'm having the same issue but in W10. Like you I'm now looking at other email clients as I seem to get new faults every month. I will keep an eye on this thread in case a fix is found.

[toolong]

PS I'm using the latest TB version.

It appears that you are both using x86_64 versions of Windows. The 64 bit version.


Thunderbird is a 32 bit program so it's install path would be:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird. Note the (86). Your Thunderbird 'profile' folder is in a different place.

C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<a strange combination of letters and numbers.default


Windows 64bit installs programs into \Program Files (x86)\ paths for 32 bit programs and \Program Files\ path for 64 bit programs.

None of this however solves your original problem.



"

[no user names left]

Thanks tinsmith,

For me, I'm able to locate the profile but as you mention the problem still persists. Any fix for TB not working?
Thanks.

[wsmwk]

"Help About" doesn't work, but troubleshooting info does. Yes, Ive got the latest version.

BTW, how do I go about about locating C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird (as you previously mentioned)? I'm fairly new to W8.1.

Many thanks,
Sync

Hi Sync.

What happens when you try Help | About that you say it doesn't work?

[sync45]

Thanks for above comments. In the meantime, I realized that the TB folder does contain the (x86), so that's not the problem.

When I click on Help About, there is no response. That function, like most of the others, simply doesn't respond. TB here is essentially dead.
Sync

[toolong]

Thanks for above comments. In the meantime, I realized that the TB folder does contain the (x86), so that's not the problem.

When I click on Help About, there is no response. That function, like most of the others, simply doesn't respond. TB here is essentially dead.
Sync

The 'Help' in Thunderbird does not work as it does in Firefox. Actually clicking on 'help' should open a Firefox Window.

You do not 'click' on 'Help' but place your mouse pointer over the work 'Help' and another Menu will open. At the bottom is the 'About' option.