Mail won't import messages to inbox after envelope file moved to desktop

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Mail won't import messages to inbox after envelope file moved to desktop

I had some kind of problem with a HD backup that cause my mac pro quad to lapse into beach ball mode. I had to restart and found my mail app had problems. All messages in other mailboxes are ok, sent items are ok, but inbox has lost messages. The messages are viewable from pop mailbox folder (in library). I moved envelope file to desktop and tried importing messages, but received a sql error notification and only very old message appeared. I backed up my mail folder before this procedure, and I have a copy of the same account on my laptop. So I have the messages, but can't seem to get them back into the mail program on the mac pro (running latest version of 10.4 osx).thx ra

mac pro quad core, Mac OS X (10.4.6), latest mail software

Posted on Aug 6, 2008 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

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Mulder

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Aug 6, 2008 11:08 AM in response to rafusion

Are you still running 10.4.6 as your profile states? If so, not only are you in the wrong forum, but you also need to update to 10.4.11 immediately; that may fix the issue you're describing, as well as a number of security enhancements and other improvements.

Mulder

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Answer 2

rafusion Author

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Aug 6, 2008 2:58 PM in response to Mulder

thanks you for the response. I'm running 10.4.11. The .11 did not make it on my first post. thx ra

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Answer 3

Mulder

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Aug 6, 2008 3:03 PM in response to rafusion

Well, before we do something really tedious, let's try this:

1. Quit Mail.
2. Start Terminal and enter this command:

mdimport ~/Library/Mail/

Wait for the process to finish and give you a prompt again, then quit Terminal, restart Mail and see if the situation has resolved itself.

Mulder

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Answer 4

rafusion Author

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Aug 6, 2008 3:22 PM in response to Mulder

Thanks again for your response. I'm away from my machine, but will try what you suggest and respond, it may not be till tomorrow. Again thank you for your response!

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Answer 5

rafusion Author

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Aug 6, 2008 5:42 PM in response to Mulder

Mulder, i spend no time in terminal and don't want to screw up my machine by doing something stupid....do i just open terminal and type these words (can I paste them in)? Do i hit return or enter to start process? Sorry to be so lame on this, but this is my production machine...thx ra

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Answer 6

Mulder

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Aug 6, 2008 7:16 PM in response to rafusion

This command will only rebuild your Mail index, nothing else. Just copy and paste the command into Terminal, press Enter, wait for it to finish and give you the prompt sign, then quit and restart Mail.

Mulder

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Answer 7

rafusion Author

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Aug 7, 2008 8:47 AM in response to Mulder

after running the command the mac supplied me with this wonderful response. Hope it means something to you..thx ra
Failed to decode utf-8 data, treating as binary
2008-08-07 08:43:49.455 mdimport[10141] error deserializing message property list: XML parser error:
Encountered unknown tag /key on line 1
Old-style plist parser error:
Malformed data byte group at line 1; invalid hex
2008-08-07 08:43:49.462 mdimport[10141] error deserializing message property list: XML parser error:
Unexpected character A at line 1
Old-style plist parser error:
Unexpected ';' or '=' after key at line 1
2008-08-07 08:44:07.159 mdimport[10141] * Failed to decode data, treating as binary
2008-08-07 08:44:44.389 mdimport[10141] error deserializing message property list: XML parser error:
Encountered unexpected EOF
Old-style plist parser error:
Malformed data byte group at line 1; invalid hex

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Answer 8

Mulder

Level 6

8,990 points

Aug 7, 2008 9:04 AM in response to rafusion

That seems to suggest there's something wrong with a plist file, saying it's an old style; it could also mean the command is not compatible with 10.4.x. If you're not running 10.4.11, that could be the reason, as your profile says you're running 10.4.6. You should check About This Mac from the Apple menu and confirm which version you are running and update your profile to reflect it.

In the meantime, try booting from your OS X installation disc and from the Utility menu, choose Disk Utility and first Repair Disk, then Repair Permissions. Reboot as normal when that's done and eject the disc.

Next, if you have an Envelope Index file in your Home/Library/Mail folder, move it to the Desktop and try importing those mailboxes again to see if it is successful.

Mulder

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Answer 9

rafusion Author

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Aug 8, 2008 10:43 AM in response to Mulder

When I turned on the machine to follow your procedure, the mailbox had returned itself to its normal condition. So the terminal process plus a couple of restarts may have fixed it. In any case, I do appreciate your help very much! Thx ra

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