How to I import old mail from Netscape to Mail?

Question

Level 2

235 points

How to I import old mail from Netscape to Mail?

I need to move old email from a Netscape account to a Mac Mail account. The Netscape client is still in use, but I must move from Snow Leopard to Lion and I read that Netscape will not work in Lion. So...

I located the Mail folder within Library>Mozilla>Profiles>(Account Name)>XXXX.slt>Mail>Inbox (the Inbox with no suffix). I transferred this file to a jump drive. I verified, I think, that this is the correct file by opening it with Text Edit, and it indeed has email from 2001 to today. The file is 1.58gb in size.

I tried to import it into Mail by adding .mbox to the file and selecting .MBOX in the import window. It seems to import, but the resulting mailbox has mail only from 2001 to 2003.

Any sugestions? Thanks.

BC

Posted on Jun 27, 2012 12:47 PM

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Answer 1

NOHUHU

Level 1

14 points

Sep 25, 2012 5:35 PM in response to BCDrums

It now works with mail 5.3

You can import all your mailboxes directly and seamlessly. Just use the import function and point to your netscape (monzilla) profile folder. Apple lets you choose which folders to import. It's great.

IF ONLY this would work with PALM data and iCal!

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Answer 2

BCDrums Author

Level 2

235 points

Sep 25, 2012 6:42 PM in response to NOHUHU

Wonderful! And how do I obtain Mail 5.3?

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Answer 3

NOHUHU

Level 1

14 points

Sep 25, 2012 7:06 PM in response to BCDrums

It's installed w LION 10.7.5 update

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Answer 4

milyz

Level 1

9 points

Sep 25, 2012 8:05 PM in response to NOHUHU

@NOHUHU - I don't mean to change the topic, but regarding Palm and iCal, have you taken a look at Missing Sync for Palm? It worked well for me when I finally switched from a Treo to an iPhone. http://www.markspace.com/products/palm/palm-sync-software.html

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Answer 5

milyz

Level 1

9 points

Sep 25, 2012 8:08 PM in response to BCDrums

@BCDrums, if the latest Apple Mail can't do the trick, you might try a tool like Emailchemy to convert your mail formats - http://www.weirdkid.com/products/emailchemy/

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Answer 6

NOHUHU

Level 1

14 points

Sep 25, 2012 8:53 PM in response to BCDrums

I just imported 280,000 emails from NS 7.2. I kid you not. 2 short tests that went fine and then the rest. Took 1 hr and worked like a charm. Of course I wll need to read them ALL to be 100% sure,..

milyz, I used palmdesktop exclusively for the last few 8 years, I never liked the ical, etc after getting the first iphone.

Now that Palm DT will not run on this mac, I don't see how missing sync can help. You need palm software to run and work with it yes? I have only the exported datebooks/ todos/ etc files to try to convert and import into apple's software.

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Answer 7

BCDrums Author

Level 2

235 points

Sep 26, 2012 4:49 AM in response to NOHUHU

NOHUHU,

Do you know if I would get this conversion feature in the most current version of Mail that would come with Mountan Lion? One would assume, but it's risky to assume.

Thanks.

BC

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Answer 8

BCDrums Author

Level 2

235 points

Sep 26, 2012 4:53 AM in response to NOHUHU

milyz,

Since I originally posted the question back in June, I discovered emailchemy, and it does work as advertised I tried the demo, and it will convert all of my files. I was overtaken by events and never got around to purchasing it, though. Now I might just upgrade to Mountain Lion and see if it will do the job. If not, I know that I can fall back on Emailchemy. It seems a little steep at $30 for what is a single trick, but if it's the only tool in town, I'll pay.

Thanks.

BC

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Answer 9

NOHUHU

Level 1

14 points

Sep 26, 2012 1:24 PM in response to BCDrums

What OS are you using now? Still SL? I went straight from SL to LION 10.7.5.

I can't go to ML on my older MBP 17". Check at the Apple store if you need more reassurance.

The trick is to follow the import instructions and select the main profile "account name" folder. From there a list of all mailboxes is offered. Pick and choose the ones you want.

You may have an issue if your single box is excessively large (way over a gig) but I did not. Better to break them up in smaller boxes first in Netscape if you can.

LION and ML will likely break LOTS of things you rely on (for me Office, mail, contacts, toast, utilities) Luckily, transferring my Netscape mail was not one of them.

BTW, I still think NS is a better email client and Palm is a better calendar/journal, but apple gets to decide these things for us now. As with iCloud. As with maps.

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