we have 2 accounts and need both email files for clean install - where and how can we access these? will save on external drive for install
Thanks!
Mac OS X (10.7.4), 2TB Western Digital external drive for mymac
All Apple Mail files reside in each users /Library/Mail folder. However, why are you contemplating a clean install? IMO, it's a supreme waste of time and effort.
Have had some issues that have been resolved through Disk Utility and Apple support told me I don't need the files. IF I did this, they told me to set up mail and the email would be restored when we log in.
That is correct isn't it?
If Disk Utility resolved your problems, then you don't need to do a clean install. However, if Mail doesn't work correctly, then that's a different issue. I have no idea what Support is talking about. Depending on how you have Mail setup to deal with mail on the server, only the ones still there will restore. Just launch Mail for each account and see what transpires, but don't delete those folders before doing that.
Thanks and things are cool!
Today, I set the email accounts to never remove from server for now. I am sure that starts now and doesn't affect any old mail.
I have some other issues that I am trying to resolve which MAY require a new install. If that happens, where can I find both of our email libraries complete with subfolders and old saved mail?
Apple Support told me if I reinstall, the email files are on the server and when the email is setup after the reinstall, the mail on the servers will automatically populate with subfolders. But since the setting has been changed to never delete them as of today, the old mail and sub folders won't be there - correct?
Bottom line is I want to be safe and find both email accounts to save in case I need them.
One other thought. Since I have Time Machine backups on an external hard drive, is there a way to use that email backup? If so, how would that be accomplished?
Thanks!
Easiest way to backup each user's Mail is to copy the Mail folder from each user's hidden /Library folder. Then, you can reinstall and simply copy the saved Mail folders to their respective locations. I don't use TM, so all I can offer is that you peruse Pondini's TM FAQs.
I have looked before. Where would I find these hidden folders?
Google search for unhide user library yields more info than you really want to know. I just run this in the Terminal for each user account, substituting the actual account name for username and restart. Always visible.
chflags nohidden /Users/username//Library
Once visible which library do I go to find? Done this some time ago and seem to remember they werent easy to find. Once I do this, I feel better.
Only each user's Library folder is hidden. The Mail subfolder lives within that.
I have tried this without any luck. Any other suggestions??
Tried what? Ran the command? Restarted afterwards? If you're still having issues, click on the Desktop, OPTION-click on the GO menu, and select Library. See this for other ways to reveal this stupidly designed folder:
http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/04/show-library-directory-in-mac-os-x-lion/
Thanks! Finally able to get the 2 email account folders.
Now, after the reinstall, am I able to use option - go and just replace each library folder for each user or is there a better way?
Thanks for your help!!
That's the only way. However, I've permanently unhid each user's Library folder so I don't have to deal with those other methods, despite mommy Apple's attempt to keep me from harming myself.
Need email files for re-install??
