Cannot access Thunderbird Emails Offline

[Efkay]

I know this sounds weird, but how can I access my already sent/received emails in Thunderbird whilst not having an internet connection?

I've deleted all previously set-up passwords but every folder I try to look at, I get a window up asking for my server's password, which of course fails as I'm not online.

(Am house-sitting for a friend so thought I'd bring my machine with me as I intend to reformat it! Hence, no modem/internet connection on my own machine).

[fo3nix]

Bottom-right will be a lightbulb type icon in Thunderbird.

Click it, it'll ask if you want to go offline. Click yes.

(I forget if you have to tell it what folders to take offline -- if so, then go into your account options, and see if it says about taking folders offline there.)

[fo3nix]

Bingo:

http://www.american.edu/technology/sites/helpd esk/content.cfm?ID=1155

[Efkay]

Many thanks for making those two suggestions, but looks like my 'lightbulb' has blown a fuse as I don't appear to have one! That said I've turned off everything I can find in the account section relating to being offline, but still I can't access them!

Sadly it seems the second suggestion only related to Newsgroup settings.

I'm totally at a loss as to how I get access to them! Guess I'll be burning the midnight oil in Google-land!

[fo3nix]

Sorry, the icon could be more like a snake (I swear it was a lightbulb when I was using it a year ago or so).

http://kiosk.ph.unimelb.edu.au/IT-Support/Onli ne-Help/Email/Thunderbird/Thunderbird-Work-Off line

That menu should do the same job. I think that icon in statusbar bottom-right does same thing too -- if so, you should see it fetching the email in the status bar.

[Efkay]

When is a snake a lightbulb - when you download the latest version of Thunderbird!! My version was so old (v.1.0.6.) I removed it and installed the current TB2 (v.2.0.0.14).

Still have the same problem - cannot access my old emails.

Sadly, that new link you posted still doesn't help as it's to do with IMAP accounts, whereas I use POP3.

This is going to drive me to drink .... again!!

[Efkay]

I omitted to add that when I went to File | Offline - I could not check 'Download/Sync Now' (as suggested in your latest link) as it's greyed out. I do however have File | Offline | Work Offline <checked>.

Maybe Thunderbird expects you to have an internet connection and only then does the offline options work?

It's doing my head in!!

[fo3nix]

Well, yes.

To be taken offline, you first have to grab all the emails for offline use -- hence, you must be online then.

Once you've got your emails in your computer (above links, to work offline), you'll be able to click the button to take you offline and will be able to see the emails you've had.

Since you use POP and not IMAP (I'd assumed IMAP), then the emails should really already be on your computer, so I don't quite understand that, but I've not used POP accounts for several years now.

[Efkay]

This is my on-going dilema - as I do have all my emails, sent/received, sitting on my computer, but when I open Thunderbird and click on any folder, a window opens with 'Mail Server Password Required'. I can enter my password, click OK and the box disappears, but it's as if I only have folders, because when I click on any folder there is nothing there!

Hmmm, I wonder whether I can export them to Outlook Express. Now there's a thought. I maybe sometime ......

[fo3nix]

I'm not really sure what the issue is, not using Thunderbird any more to really investigate.

I'd recommend you register and ask your question here:

http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewforum.php?f= 39

It's a forum dedicated for Thunderbird, so most there will be able to solve your issue.

[Efkay]

fo3nix - many thanks for your help and suggestions and yes, I finally had to resort to the mozillazine forum on Sunday as I was beginning to bash my head against the proverbial brick wall!

If and when I get sorted I'll post on this same thread just to keep you informed.

My thanks once again.