THUNDERBIRD CONFIGURATION

[jamie1]

Ok I was advised by Hoov to use Thunderbird as my e-mail client rather than Outlook Express 2006.  I downloaded and installed Thunderbird and set it as my default e-mail client.  I clicked when installing to import settings from Outlook Express as when I first installed it I did not do this and was then told when setting account details that my smtp was not encrypted or digitally signed so did install again everything is ok .... well except for a small problem.  I sent an e-mail to myself just to check things were ok however nothing came back.  I opened Outlook Express and it pinged to let me know I had new mail.  I tried the same again only I clicked on "Get Mail" in Thunderbird and then on my pop account name.  It pinged and showed new mail.  It seems that whichever e-mail client I open first gets the e-mail.  Also I have opened Thunderbird/view account settings/pop3 account/server settings and checked box to automatically download new messages but I still have to click "Get Mail" and pop 3 account name to get any mail to download.

[Hoov]

That is one flaw in thunderbird that I wish were different, but there is a way to fix it. Get the Get all Mails Addon. I have been using since I started using thunderbird.

[jamie1]

Downloaded and installed per instructions.  Customised the toolbar by dragging the "get all mail" icon next to the "get mail" button.  It is showing as being installed in the "tools/addons" however when I click on it there is nothing happening.  I have restarted Thunderbird but I still have to click on "get mail" and then the pop address.  It is Thunderbird 3 I have so will maybe just have to put up with this problem.

[grsamf]

If I understand the problem correctly, whichever email client (Outlook Express or ThunderBird) first opens the email removes it from the server, so it is no longer available.  In Thunderbird, click the Tools, then Account Settings.  Then click Server Settings.  Put a check in the box "Leave message on server."  You probably should also check the "For at most" box and fill in 7, 10 or whatever number of days is reasonable to ensure you get the email with any client and on any computer you use.  Also check "Automatically download new messages."

You can do the same thing in Outlook Express by clicking Tools>Accounts>Properties>Advanced.

I agree that ThunderBird is much more preferable than Outlook Express and once you get ThunderBird tweaked properly and used to it, I would dump Outlook Express.

[jamie1]

Don't ask me how but I have got it working fine now.  I was fiddling about with some settings and clicked on Tools/account settings/server settings/advanced.  Now there are 3 options "Inbox for this servers account",  "Global Inbox (local folders account)",  "Inbox for a different account".  There is also a box checked which says include this server when getting new mail".

Now what I know I did was check the "Inbox for this servers account"  I don't know if the box "include this server when getting new mail" was checked.  When I returned to the main page there was a pop 3 account folder in my local folders and also one in my inbox.  When I clicked on this pop 3 account folder in my local folders then any new mail instantly downloaded.  Trouble is I don't know where it went to.

I decided just to uninstall and re-install Thunderbird without the "get all new mail" download being installed.  Lo and behold I sent an e-mail to myself and clicked on the button "get mail" and it downloaded the e-mail into my inbox.  Problem solved but who knows how.   Many thanks for the help. 

[jamie1]

Oh I forgot to ask.  I have Outlook Express on my applications set up disc which came with the computer.  Should I just uninstall Outlook Express or just leave it.  I won't be using it anyway.

[Hoov]

Sorry, I totally misread and misunderstood your first post. As for OE, do you have emails saved in it that you want to keep? You can move them to Thunderbird if you want.

As for keeping it, I would leave it installed for now. While Thunderbird is a better e-mail client, there are some thing that take a bit getting used to. Leaving OE installed allows you to go back to it if you decide you don't like Thunderbird.

[jamie1]

Everything transferred from OE when I installed Thunderbird.  I think the problem might have been that the box "include this server when getting new mail" was maybe not originally checked.  Anyway everything is fine and I think I will leave OE installed till I at least get used to Thunderbird.  A good thing about Thunderbird is apart from the improved security is that you can install themes and other addons.  Being a guy who likes his changes I have already installed  a Charamel Theme.  Looks great.  Anyway thanks again guys.