Mail won't allow attachments

Question

Level 1

46 points

Mail won't allow attachments

A helpful archived post by David Gimeno Gost is below. My Mail attachments did work with a new account, but still not with mine. What can I try next? If I have to re-install Mail, can I save my settings, sent messages, on-my-mac files, etc.?

------------------------------------------------------------------

Verify/repair your disk first (not just permissions), as described here:

The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about?

After having fixed all filesystem issues, if any, try this to determine the scope of the problem:

1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Accounts, and create a new user account for testing purposes.

2. Either log out of your main user account or just quit Mail so that it does not interfere with the other user account.

3. Log in as the newly created user and set up Mail anew there.

4. If this is a POP account, go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Advanced and disable Remove copy from server after retrieving a message.

5. Check whether the problem also happens when logged in as another user.

20" iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 22, 2009 10:11 AM

Reply

Answer 1

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Don Rex

At what point in sending in an e-mail are you unable to attach a file? When you click attach while composing a new message, does a window appear allowing you to select a file or do you get an error message?

Reply

Answer 2

Don Rex Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2009 10:56 AM in response to Don Rex

swisswiz

It happens while composing a new email...If I use the "Attach" button, it does show the file choices, but, when I select a file and hit the "Choose File" button, nothing happens/no file attached.

If I drag a file to the email same results... nothing happens/no file attached.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Don

Reply

Answer 3

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Don Rex

Odd. You mentioned that the new account works fine. In the Mail preferences compare all the settings of both accounts, make sure that the one that isn't working has the same settings as the working one.

Also as a last resort remove the Mail preferences completely.

They are located at Home Folder>Library>Preferences

Move the following to the desktop:

com.apple.mail.plist

Restart the computer and see if the problem persists.

Keep the preference file on the desktop until you solve the problem, you can always return it to the original place.

Reply

Answer 4

Don Rex Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2009 2:40 PM in response to Don Rex

I removed the com.apple.mail.plist file to the desktop...restarted Mail...all worked well.

I then put the original com.apple.mail.plist file back in the prefs...problem returned.

Thanks swisswiz and David Gimeno Gost!

So I'll keep the new pref, but, is there anyway I can move the data from the old prefs file to the new one?

Don

Reply

Answer 5

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Don Rex

Which data in particular are you talking about?

I suggest taking screen shots of the old preferences and then manually entering them into the new preferences.

Reply

Answer 6

Don Rex Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2009 3:16 PM in response to swisswiz

...Sent and On My Mac emails.

Don

Reply

Answer 7

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Don Rex

Ok, this is actually not in the preferences which you deleted, most likely the preferences were reset so that it no longer saves files on to your computer, but the files should still be there.

What you want to do is in Mail go to Preferences > Accounts and change all the "Mailbox Behaviors" and "Advanced" settings for each account to your old settings.

This is where I suggest you take a screen shot of the old preferences and then use those pictures to change all what is required. To take a screen shot press and hold down shift command4 and make a box around the Mail preference Window.

Hope that works

Reply

Answer 8

Don Rex Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2009 4:52 PM in response to swisswiz

Thanks, but it didn't work...my old "Sent" and "On My Mac" emails are still MIA.

Don

Reply

Answer 9

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 5:04 PM in response to Don Rex

Try restarting the computer and pressing "Get Mail".

Just to reassure you that you still have all those e-mails go to Home Folder > Library > Mail

Go through the sub folders, you should see what you are looking for.

It's just a matter of telling Mail..."these files exist go here"

Reply

Answer 10

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 5:10 PM in response to swisswiz

Also in Mail try File > Import Mailboxes

Then select mbox files.

Find the mailboxes you want to restore, select them and click choose.

Maybe that works for you.

Reply

Answer 11

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 5:18 PM in response to swisswiz

Ok, forget all that other nonsense try this instead.

In Mail go to Mailbox>Rebuild

That should work miracles, the only thing is the new messages might be marked all as unread.

To mark them all as unread control click on the mailbox you want in Mail and select "Mark all messages as Read"

Hopefully this cures everything.

Reply

Answer 12

Don Rex Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2009 5:40 PM in response to swisswiz

You ARE good! The "Rebuild" worked!

Thanks again,
Don

Reply

Answer 13

swisswiz

Level 1

55 points

Mar 22, 2009 5:46 PM in response to Don Rex

Glad I could help. I'm a college student and I just started answering people's questions on this forum this weekend. I've been using Apple computers since my first computers.

I find it really enjoyable to answer people's questions, especially when things end up working.

Was there any thing I could improve? I'm brand new to this so any suggestions would be great.

Reply

Answer 14

Don Rex Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 22, 2009 5:55 PM in response to swisswiz

Improve? From my experience with you, I don't see how. You stayed with me, responded quickly, and found the solution. It doesn't get much better than that.

You're off to a great start!

PS...You said you were a college student. An Education major by any chance? I supervise Student Teachers for Kent State Univ. If not an Education major, keep it in mind. You have several qualities (above) that make a very good teacher.

Reply

Answer 15

Dec 6, 2015 1:16 PM in response to swisswiz

Worked for me too. You may be thinking - teacher, who wants to be a poorly paid teacher? Whatever field you go into, there will be opportunities for teaching. Just continue being approachable and helpful. Good luck from a retired "teacher". Thanks. PS - IMHO This issue should be posted to Apple FAQ's. It started on my mail when I modified mail server settings to delete msgs from server immediately after reading to avoid seeing same mail on iphone after reading them and deleting on laptop. If that's the cause, more people will be experiencing the problem.

Reply