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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Os X Mail
drsmeltz - Mar 28, 2005 - 8:08 pm
I can't open the Mail Application. I was using it (offline, I thought, composing a note) when I noticed that while my connection was trying to disconnect it would not complete the disconnect. This happens now and then.
I shut down the computer by pressing and holding the button used to turn it on. The I restarted. When I tried to start Mail, I got a message that it had unexpectedly quit. And it would not open. This keeps happening even when I restart. I ran Norton Utilities and it fixed some problems. I even reinstalled the OS X software and it still won't open.
What do you suggest? I am on an eMac, OS X 10.2 the earliest version.
Thanks!
I shut down the computer by pressing and holding the button used to turn it on. The I restarted. When I tried to start Mail, I got a message that it had unexpectedly quit. And it would not open. This keeps happening even when I restart. I ran Norton Utilities and it fixed some problems. I even reinstalled the OS X software and it still won't open.
What do you suggest? I am on an eMac, OS X 10.2 the earliest version.
Thanks!
Cheryl - Mar 28, 2005 - 9:09 pm
Diana,
My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.
First, stop using Norton Utilities on your OS X machine. Symantec has stopped supporting utilities for OS X.
Next, go to Applications>Utilities and open Disk Utility. When it opens, select the second icon at the left, then click on First Aid. At the bottom right is Verify Disk and Repair Disk. Those buttons will be grayed out. Now move to the left of those buttons and you will see Verify Permissions and Repair permissions. Click on Repair Permissions.
When done, quit Disk utility and see if Mail will open for you.
The next time you need to restart the computer, first quit your programs by the File Menu or by hitting the Apple key and the Q key.
Next, go to the Apple Menu and select Restart.
As for a third party utility, I highly recommend Disk Warrior, Drive 10 or Tech Tool Pro. All are supported for OS X and come on a bootable CD, so you can start up your computer with it and do repairs to the drive.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.
First, stop using Norton Utilities on your OS X machine. Symantec has stopped supporting utilities for OS X.
Next, go to Applications>Utilities and open Disk Utility. When it opens, select the second icon at the left, then click on First Aid. At the bottom right is Verify Disk and Repair Disk. Those buttons will be grayed out. Now move to the left of those buttons and you will see Verify Permissions and Repair permissions. Click on Repair Permissions.
When done, quit Disk utility and see if Mail will open for you.
The next time you need to restart the computer, first quit your programs by the File Menu or by hitting the Apple key and the Q key.
Next, go to the Apple Menu and select Restart.
As for a third party utility, I highly recommend Disk Warrior, Drive 10 or Tech Tool Pro. All are supported for OS X and come on a bootable CD, so you can start up your computer with it and do repairs to the drive.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Mar 29, 2005 - 8:04 pm
Thanks, Cheryl--
I did all you said and the Mail still will not open. Disk First Aid did fix several permissions from what the messages said.
The message I get when I try to open Mail reads "The application Mail has unexpectedly quit. The system and other applications have not been affected."
I should have thought before shutting down the way I did. Any more ideas what to do?
I appreciate your help.
Diana
I did all you said and the Mail still will not open. Disk First Aid did fix several permissions from what the messages said.
The message I get when I try to open Mail reads "The application Mail has unexpectedly quit. The system and other applications have not been affected."
I should have thought before shutting down the way I did. Any more ideas what to do?
I appreciate your help.
Diana
Cheryl - Mar 29, 2005 - 9:10 pm
Diana,
I do have more tricks. :-)
Go to your home folder and locate and open Library folder.
Now locate and open the folder named Mail.
Next, go to the View Menu and select by list. Everything will be in alpha order.
You want to find and trash the following files:
DefaultCounts
MessageSorting.plist
MessageSorting.plist.backup
Now close the window, empty the trash and give Mail a try.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I do have more tricks. :-)
Go to your home folder and locate and open Library folder.
Now locate and open the folder named Mail.
Next, go to the View Menu and select by list. Everything will be in alpha order.
You want to find and trash the following files:
DefaultCounts
MessageSorting.plist
MessageSorting.plist.backup
Now close the window, empty the trash and give Mail a try.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Mar 30, 2005 - 4:08 pm
Cheryl,
I did all you said and still can't open Mail. I did not have a MessageSorting.plist.backup file, but I trashed the other two files.
Any more tricks???
Diana
I did all you said and still can't open Mail. I did not have a MessageSorting.plist.backup file, but I trashed the other two files.
Any more tricks???
Diana
Cheryl - Mar 30, 2005 - 6:07 pm
Diana,
This is another trick that just might work.
Go to your Home folder and locate and open the Library folder.
Go to the View menu and select by list. This will put everything in alpha order making it easier to find things.
Locate and open the Preference folder. Again, go to the View menu and select by list.
Now scroll down and locate the com.apple.Mail.plist file.
Drag that file to your desktop (do not trash it !).
Now close all the windows. Open Mail. Does it open properly? Good. You will notice that all your emails maybe have disappeared. Don't panic.
Now quit Mail.
Open Home >Library>Preferences. Locate the new com.apple.Mail.plist file and drag that one to the trash.
Drag the com. apple.Mail.plist file from your desktop back to the preference folder.
Close the windows. Open Mail. Keep me posted.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
This is another trick that just might work.
Go to your Home folder and locate and open the Library folder.
Go to the View menu and select by list. This will put everything in alpha order making it easier to find things.
Locate and open the Preference folder. Again, go to the View menu and select by list.
Now scroll down and locate the com.apple.Mail.plist file.
Drag that file to your desktop (do not trash it !).
Now close all the windows. Open Mail. Does it open properly? Good. You will notice that all your emails maybe have disappeared. Don't panic.
Now quit Mail.
Open Home >Library>Preferences. Locate the new com.apple.Mail.plist file and drag that one to the trash.
Drag the com. apple.Mail.plist file from your desktop back to the preference folder.
Close the windows. Open Mail. Keep me posted.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Mar 31, 2005 - 5:33 pm
So sorry, Cheryl. Mail still didn't open. I found everything just as you said, but no success opening Mail.
Diana
Diana
Cheryl - Mar 31, 2005 - 5:59 pm
Diana,
I think it is time to do an archive and install. All your files and applications will not be touched, but it will replace Mail.
Locate your OS X CD and insert it in the CD drive.
Now go to Applications and drag the Mail icon to the trash. Do the same with the Mail icon that is in the dock.
Go to the Apple menu and select Restart, then immediately hold down the C key. Continue to hold down the C key until you see the installer screen on your desktop.
Select your language. The Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer window appears.
Click Continue. The Important Information window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue. The Software License Agreement window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue.
An agreement sheet appears. If you agree with the license agreement, click Agree. The Select a Destination window appears.
Click the volume that you wish to install to.
Click Options. The installation options sheet appears.
Select Archive and Install.
Select the volume which already has Mac OS X installed.
You should also select Preserve Users and Network Settings, to preserve network and Home directory settings.
Click OK.
Click Continue to begin the installation.
After the installation, you will need to restart the computer. Once done, you will have a new System Folder and Previous System folder. Do not trash Previous System folder until you are sure that all your programs work.
You may need to reinstall some applications, like Anti Virus and Stuffit Expander. There are some settings that you may need to double check, like your desktop picture, network time server (in Time & Date) and your printer may need to be added.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I think it is time to do an archive and install. All your files and applications will not be touched, but it will replace Mail.
Locate your OS X CD and insert it in the CD drive.
Now go to Applications and drag the Mail icon to the trash. Do the same with the Mail icon that is in the dock.
Go to the Apple menu and select Restart, then immediately hold down the C key. Continue to hold down the C key until you see the installer screen on your desktop.
Select your language. The Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer window appears.
Click Continue. The Important Information window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue. The Software License Agreement window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue.
An agreement sheet appears. If you agree with the license agreement, click Agree. The Select a Destination window appears.
Click the volume that you wish to install to.
Click Options. The installation options sheet appears.
Select Archive and Install.
Select the volume which already has Mac OS X installed.
You should also select Preserve Users and Network Settings, to preserve network and Home directory settings.
Click OK.
Click Continue to begin the installation.
After the installation, you will need to restart the computer. Once done, you will have a new System Folder and Previous System folder. Do not trash Previous System folder until you are sure that all your programs work.
You may need to reinstall some applications, like Anti Virus and Stuffit Expander. There are some settings that you may need to double check, like your desktop picture, network time server (in Time & Date) and your printer may need to be added.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Mar 31, 2005 - 10:08 pm
Hi Cheryl,
Sad to report that Mail still won't open. I did the archive & install and it all went along just as you said. I tried to open Mail from the Applicatins list, and go tthat same old message - it has unexpectedly quit. The only thing I can think of -- should I have emptied the trash after trashing Mail before doing the install? And when I removed Mail from the Dock it just went up on a puff - not actually into the trash bin.
Hoping you have more ideas --
Diana
Sad to report that Mail still won't open. I did the archive & install and it all went along just as you said. I tried to open Mail from the Applicatins list, and go tthat same old message - it has unexpectedly quit. The only thing I can think of -- should I have emptied the trash after trashing Mail before doing the install? And when I removed Mail from the Dock it just went up on a puff - not actually into the trash bin.
Hoping you have more ideas --
Diana
Cheryl - Mar 31, 2005 - 10:29 pm
Diana,
The Mail icon from the dock will go poof when you drag it to the trash. That is normal.
As for Mail not opening, you have a corrupt mail message in your Inbox. Probably the one that was open when the problems began.
The next step will make you lose the emails that are in your inbox, but it should allow Mail to open.
Go to your Home folder>Library folder>Mail folder.
You will see a folder with your email address. Open that folder. Find the INBOX.mbox and drag that to the desktop.
Now close the folders and give Mail a try.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
The Mail icon from the dock will go poof when you drag it to the trash. That is normal.
As for Mail not opening, you have a corrupt mail message in your Inbox. Probably the one that was open when the problems began.
The next step will make you lose the emails that are in your inbox, but it should allow Mail to open.
Go to your Home folder>Library folder>Mail folder.
You will see a folder with your email address. Open that folder. Find the INBOX.mbox and drag that to the desktop.
Now close the folders and give Mail a try.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Apr 1, 2005 - 7:27 pm
Still no success, Cheryl. I also trashed a file that said drafts.mbox -- I was working on one when things shut down.
What now?
Diana
What now?
Diana
Cheryl - Apr 2, 2005 - 6:58 am
Diana,
The next trick is to trash the preference file. I did not want to recommend this, as you will lose your Mail settings and will have to start over. But as the last resort, this has to be done.
Go to your Home folder> Library Folder>Preference folder. (not to be confused with the Preference Pane folder).
Go to the view menu and select by list. Now everything will be in alpha order making it easier to find specific files.
Locate the com.apple.mail.plist. file and drag it to the trash. (do not empty the trash yet).
Now go to Home Folder>Library Folder and locate the Mail folder. Drag that to the trash. (do not empty the trash yet)
Now give Mail a try. Do not panic if there is no emails there. You may need to set up your email account. This will give you a fresh start.
Let me know if this works. If it does, we can slowly put back your mail boxes (that are sitting in the Trash)
To do this, you need to quit Mail, then open Home>Library>Mail and also open the trash. Now move just one mail box from the Trash to the Mail folder. Close the windows, start up Mail. If all is okay, quit Mail and try moving another next mailbox.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
The next trick is to trash the preference file. I did not want to recommend this, as you will lose your Mail settings and will have to start over. But as the last resort, this has to be done.
Go to your Home folder> Library Folder>Preference folder. (not to be confused with the Preference Pane folder).
Go to the view menu and select by list. Now everything will be in alpha order making it easier to find specific files.
Locate the com.apple.mail.plist. file and drag it to the trash. (do not empty the trash yet).
Now go to Home Folder>Library Folder and locate the Mail folder. Drag that to the trash. (do not empty the trash yet)
Now give Mail a try. Do not panic if there is no emails there. You may need to set up your email account. This will give you a fresh start.
Let me know if this works. If it does, we can slowly put back your mail boxes (that are sitting in the Trash)
To do this, you need to quit Mail, then open Home>Library>Mail and also open the trash. Now move just one mail box from the Trash to the Mail folder. Close the windows, start up Mail. If all is okay, quit Mail and try moving another next mailbox.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Apr 2, 2005 - 6:02 pm
Hi cheryl,
Dumping the preferences is working!! I got mail! I think I can finish up on mu own from here, but will write back if I run into trouble. I did lose my printer and apparently the antivirus program. Thanks much for your help.
Diana
Dumping the preferences is working!! I got mail! I think I can finish up on mu own from here, but will write back if I run into trouble. I did lose my printer and apparently the antivirus program. Thanks much for your help.
Diana
Cheryl - Apr 2, 2005 - 6:15 pm
Diana,
Your printer should be easy to add in the Print Center and your Anti Virus can be installed from the CD you (should) have.
I am glad you have Mail working. :-)
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Apr 3, 2005 - 5:26 pm
I'm back, Cheryl,
I have mail receiving but it will not send mail. So I called the ISP to check settings and had a hard time with a guy who hardly spoke English! Still can't send.
After that I discovered the inbox mail I had found is now gone. I can live with that -- there wasn't much there. But what is supposed to be in the file home>library>mail>POP-drsmeltz.....? I wonder if I am missing something.
Diana
I have mail receiving but it will not send mail. So I called the ISP to check settings and had a hard time with a guy who hardly spoke English! Still can't send.
After that I discovered the inbox mail I had found is now gone. I can live with that -- there wasn't much there. But what is supposed to be in the file home>library>mail>POP-drsmeltz.....? I wonder if I am missing something.
Diana
Cheryl - Apr 3, 2005 - 6:01 pm
Diana,
In that POP folder should be:
INBOX,mbox
Drafts.mbox
Deleted Messages.mbox
Sent Messages.mbox
MessageUidsAlreadyDownloaded
Junk.mbox
Let me help yu make sure you Mail is set correctly to send.
Open Mail and go to the Mail Menu and select Preferences.
When that window opens, select Accounts.
Click on your account name at the left, then at the bottom right is Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP). Right next to it should say something like:
smtp.your ips name.com (or net)
Click on the server settings button.
A new window will open.
Outgoing Mail Server should say smtp. your isp name.com (or net)
Server port should be 25
Leave Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) blank and unchecked.
Authentication should have password selected.
Your user name is either your full email address drsmeltz@ isp.com or it is just drsmeltz.
Then type in your password. This is the same password you use to get your email.
Now click on okay.
When you close the preference window you will be asked to save. Click on save.
Now try to send an email. You can try to send one to me at:
cheryl@macosx.com
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
In that POP folder should be:
INBOX,mbox
Drafts.mbox
Deleted Messages.mbox
Sent Messages.mbox
MessageUidsAlreadyDownloaded
Junk.mbox
Let me help yu make sure you Mail is set correctly to send.
Open Mail and go to the Mail Menu and select Preferences.
When that window opens, select Accounts.
Click on your account name at the left, then at the bottom right is Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP). Right next to it should say something like:
smtp.your ips name.com (or net)
Click on the server settings button.
A new window will open.
Outgoing Mail Server should say smtp. your isp name.com (or net)
Server port should be 25
Leave Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) blank and unchecked.
Authentication should have password selected.
Your user name is either your full email address drsmeltz@ isp.com or it is just drsmeltz.
Then type in your password. This is the same password you use to get your email.
Now click on okay.
When you close the preference window you will be asked to save. Click on save.
Now try to send an email. You can try to send one to me at:
cheryl@macosx.com
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
drsmeltz - Apr 3, 2005 - 9:37 pm
Cheryl,
I have all the items except junk.mbox. I have no clue what happened to that. My recent in-mail reappeared! I don't quite know what that was all about.
I am getting some strange messages when I boot up, about files that may jeopardize security or something. I'll copy one into a message to you next time it happens. I'm wondering if it has something to do with my anti-virus.
Thanks again for all your help. The mail sending problem appears to be that password was not selected for authentication. Things seem to be ok now.
Thanks! Diana
I have all the items except junk.mbox. I have no clue what happened to that. My recent in-mail reappeared! I don't quite know what that was all about.
I am getting some strange messages when I boot up, about files that may jeopardize security or something. I'll copy one into a message to you next time it happens. I'm wondering if it has something to do with my anti-virus.
Thanks again for all your help. The mail sending problem appears to be that password was not selected for authentication. Things seem to be ok now.
Thanks! Diana
Cheryl - Apr 3, 2005 - 10:04 pm
Diana,
You are working well. As for the Junk.mbox, you have to train Mail to know what is junk. Go to the Mail menu>preferences and select the Junk icon. Now the window will change. Click on Leave it in my Inbox, but indicate Junk.
After about a week, you can change that to Move it to the Junk mailbox. You will then have a junk.mbox and you can continue to train Mail to know what junk is. Mail does a very good job of trashing the spam.
Let me know what that message is. You may need to write it down as most dialog boxes like that can not be copied to the clipboard. (that is where your copy command goes, then it is saved until you paste it. )
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
You are working well. As for the Junk.mbox, you have to train Mail to know what is junk. Go to the Mail menu>preferences and select the Junk icon. Now the window will change. Click on Leave it in my Inbox, but indicate Junk.
After about a week, you can change that to Move it to the Junk mailbox. You will then have a junk.mbox and you can continue to train Mail to know what junk is. Mail does a very good job of trashing the spam.
Let me know what that message is. You may need to write it down as most dialog boxes like that can not be copied to the clipboard. (that is where your copy command goes, then it is saved until you paste it. )
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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