Mail Won't Launch After Upgrade to OS X vs.10.5.8

I'm not getting the message you're getting, but since I upgraded to 10.5.8, Mail is crashing on launch. Every. Single. Time. Not exactly sure what to do, except hope for a fix.

Hi,

I have done this update, and Mail is working. The update to 10.5.8 did change Mail's version number, so the issue that must be considered is whether anything has caused the 10.5.8 Update to not advance Mail.

Is the Mail app properly in the Applications folder, in its root level, and not ever renamed? In the Applications folder, control-click on the Mail app Icon, and use Get Info -- what version is reported? It should be 3.6 and show having been modified at the same time as your update to 10.5.8? If Mail could be opened, which I understand it cannot for you, the exact version would be Mail 3.6 (936), and previously is was Mail 3.6 (935/935.3) if memory serves me correctly.

Use Spotlight to search to see if there is more than one copy of a Mail app on your Mac.

Ernie

Ernie,

I saw that you were able to help with this issue, so here's my version of it.

I have Mail on a .dmg for an added measure of security (I did it this way: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20030415132128751), so the software update didn't upgrade Mail from 3.5 to 3.6 exactly as you said.

However, I can't find any other versions of Mail than what I have on the .dmg. Would the best plan be to move Mail back to it original home and re-download the 10.5.8 update? I just wanted to see if you had a different idea before going through the hassle of moving things around and trying it only for it to not work.

Thanks,
Nick

Had the same problem after upgrading from 10.5.7. to 10.5.8 - Mail would not launch from the icon in the Dock (same 'error' message as above)

Checked version in the Applications folder and confirmed it was 3.6 and was updated at the same time as the 10.5.8 update. Ran Spotlight, which confirmed I only had one version of the Mail app installed.

Ran Mail from the Applications folder, and it worked fine. Ran it from the Dock and the problem persisted.

So, removed the Mail icon from the Dock, and then replaced it by dragging Mail from the Applications folder to the Dock to create a new icon. All now works fine.

Thanks to Ernie for the advice

nice one Ernie .... my friend called me with this issue and now she thinks I'm the genius!! 🙂

Nick,

Welcome to the Discussions.

I need some clarification -- when you say you have Mail on a .dmg, then from reading the referenced article, I assume that is the Mail folder and not the Mail application? Is the Mail app in fact in the Application folder, or have I misunderstood something?

If in the Applications folder, control-click on it, use Get Info, and report the version and when last modified?

Btw, once an update has taken place, or if an application has somehow gotten skipped, then you would always need to use the Combo Update, and not any delta update.

More info, please.

Ernie

And suddenly, I can't open mail either. Version 3.6, modified today August 7th) with a Apple update - though it stopped working this afternoon - right before the update.

No other version in the apps folder. icon bounces twice, then just sits there. Can't open anything on the menu bar, and if I click on anything else, I can't get back to the menu bar at all.

Some clarification: I actually moved both the Mail folder and the Mail application onto the disk therefore prompting for the disk password when I access Mail.

Looking at its info, it says it was last modified in Jan '09 and is version 3.5.

Nick,

The Mail app will not be updated and advance to the proper version unless it is in the Applications folder. I think you are going to have to bring it back into the Applications folder, apply the Combo Update matching you current version of OS, and then presumedly be able to move it back to the disk, although I have not done that.

Ernie

Michael,

What version of OSX were you running before this update?

Try holding down the Shift Key while clicking on the Mail Icon to launch -- may tell us something.

Ernie

I tried holding down the shift, and all I got was the spinning wheel.

I don't know what I was running before the last update - but I am pretty good with updating, so I assume it was whatever was right before.

Michael,

Open System Preferences/Software Update/Installed Updates and review what the last update to OSX was prior to 10.5.8 (assumes you use Software Update)?

Ernie

They go like this, in order:

Mas OS 10.5.7.
iwork 9.0.2
iphoto 8.0.3
digital camera raw Campatibilty Upd 2.6
imovie 8.0.3
java for OS 10.5 update 3
ilife support 9.0.3safari 4.0
iweb update 3.0.1
idvd 7.0.4
Java for OS 10.5 Update 4 1.0
Safari 4.0.1
iphoto 8.0.4
Safari 4.0.2
hp printer drivers update 1.1.1
imovie 8.0.4
itunes 8.2.1
Mac OS update 10.5.8
Garageband update 5.1

OK, it appears you were using 10.5.7 prior to updating to 10.5.8. Mail was working in good order while using 10.5.7?

Create a New User Account, and as that New User launch Mail and try setting your email account (if POP set to leave messages on the server). See the following if not familiar with adding a new user account:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8235.html

The reason for doing this is to test the Mail app itself, and not to permanently switch to a new user account. Tell me if the behavior continues in that New User Account?

Ernie