Transfer Mail data between user accounts

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Level 2

176 points

Transfer Mail data between user accounts

I have been having corruption problems with my Home folder, which have proved impossible to identify ( http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1513908&tstart=0). So I plan to rebuild my hard drive (system, apps, account) and build a new user account from scratch. The intent is to copy or transfer key items from the old home folder to the new (Documents, Pictures, etc.)

One item I need to transfer is my Mail data, which seems to have a spot in the Home>Library folder. I have tried copying the entire Home>Library>Mail folder contents over, but it doesn't seem to work. When I then open up Mail in the new user, it starts from new by asking me to set up an account and giving me an empty set of mailboxes, instead of recognizing the transferred accounts, mailboxes & messages.

So how can I transfer all my mailboxes, messages, account info, and whatever else is needed, from the old to the new? If I am careful, I can export individual mailboxes from the original user, then import them into the new user: this seems to keep the messages intact OK, which is the main thing, but am I missing anything else? And why did the original folder copy process not work?

Thanks for any suggestions.

iMac G5 (1st gen), Mac OS X (10.5.2), Bluetooth mouse/KB. Airport card. VirtualPC.

Posted on May 13, 2008 8:35 PM

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Answer 1

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scb

Level 5

5,388 points

May 13, 2008 8:46 PM in response to Paul Fryer

In ~/Library/M

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Answer 2

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

May 13, 2008 9:02 PM in response to Paul Fryer

in addition to the folder homedirectory/Library/Mail you need to copy the file com.apple.mail.plist from homedirectory/Library/Preferences to the corresponding location on the new account. that's the file that contains all the Mail account settings.

Make sure Mail is not running when you are doing that.

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Answer 3

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

May 13, 2008 9:12 PM in response to V.K.

You do not need the plist if you import.

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Answer 4

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

May 13, 2008 9:19 PM in response to scb

sure but it's easier that way. no need to import anything

Message was edited by: V.K.

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Answer 5

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

May 14, 2008 5:52 AM in response to V.K.

But, since he is having trouble, why risk the re-introduction of what may be part of the trouble? Make sense?

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Answer 6

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

176 points

May 14, 2008 5:13 PM in response to scb

Thanks for the discussion folks. It seems that the thing I missed was the file com.apple.mail.plist from homedirectory/Library/Preferences. Until I did that, Mail basically ignored everything in the Library/Mail folder.

Now I have a choice. I can either
(1) copy both the Library /Mail folder and the file com.apple.mail.plist from homedirectory/Library/Preferences from my backup to the new user (I assume when you say "import" you really mean just "copy"?).
Or (2) I can copy the file com.apple.mail.plist from homedirectory/Library/Preferences and then import the mailboxes from a previously created Mailbox archive using the Mail menu item File>Import mailboxes.

Which is "safer"? Since I have been having corruption problems, and Mail is possibly implicated in the corruption, I would like to transfer as little as possible as long as I get the account info and all my mailboxes & messages (including attachments). It looks like the second choice above might be better (safer), even though it involves more steps. There are all several folders and files in the Home/Library/Mail folder on my backup which don't appear on a newly created Home/Library/Mail folder created by method (2).

What do you think?

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Answer 7

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

May 14, 2008 5:35 PM in response to Paul Fryer

you should do (1) as i suggested. It's quite reliable and many people have done it. (2) will only mess things up. don't do it.

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Answer 8

May 14, 2008 6:13 PM in response to scb

I am w/ scb on this one, I have corruption problems and have to enter passwords every time I check mail & do anything. I DON'T want to import any settings...

Thanks for letting us knowing both options. Import if you are not having problems. Start from scratch if you are having problems..
CW

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Answer 9

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

176 points

May 16, 2008 11:35 AM in response to V.K.

Thanks VK, I think that's what I will do. I appreciate the help.

Paul.

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Answer 10

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

May 16, 2008 11:43 AM in response to Paul Fryer

sure thing. Just to clarify in response to your other question, I do mean just copy
the entire directory /homedirectory/Libary/Mail and the file homedirectory/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist to the corresponding locations on the new computer. make sure Mail is not running when you do that.

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