Mail won't open after update

If you are seeing two Mail apps in Applications, see my post here.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4355201?answerId=19760703022#19760703022

Hi WZZZ.

I've followed your instructions regarding the resources folder etc, and a couple of things are confusing me.

Firstly,the mail app has now changed to the pencil/ruler logo.

Secondly, the other difference to your screenshot is the 'English.lproj' folder in resources...

The upshot is i'm still getting the usual 'can't use this...' message.

Here's a screenshot of my Applications folder and the Mail folder.....

Instead of messing around with that, why don't you follow the directions I linked. Just move the small Mail.app (7.5 MB) to the Trash and run the update from the download again.

Mr Randall wrote:

My question is - does this 4.6 version of the app need to be moved/deleted out of the folder before running the 10.6.8 Combo update then the security update?

YES, delete the v4.6 "Mail.app" icon in the Applications folder.

Just by its diminutive filesize (relative to the formerly fully-functioning v4.5's filesize) *and* particularly by it not having the Apple Mail icon picture, these things are evidence that that v4.6 "Mail.app" is corrupt & absolutely no good. So yes, dump it.

Not to be redundant in WZZZ'z reply to you, but here's the simplified steps (albeit time- and bandwidth-consuming) from me to guaranteeing getting your Apple Mail working again:

1. Close down all applications except the Finder.

2. Do a search throughout your HDD for "Mail" (see screenshot below). Delete ALL other "Mail.app's" EXCEPT Mail.app version 4.5, which must be located in ONLY the Applications directory. IOW, if it's not there, put it there.

3. Download the "Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1"

from this Apple page: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

and then download the "Security Update 2012-004 (Snow Leopard)"

from this Apple page: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1586.

Save them in a safe location for possible future use (the Update Combo in particular).

4. Install the "Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1" and then do the mandatory reboot.

5. Install the "Security Update 2012-004 (Snow Leopard)" and again do the mandatory reboot.

6. After rebooting, your "Mail.app" in the Applications folder will have been updated from v4.5 to v4.6 and your Apple Mail will now be useable.

KK

Just follow the linked directions I already gave. Did you try them? It's quite straightforward and most likely you won't need to do anything further. But is that why you're getting involved with the package contents of the two Mails?

Message was edited by: WZZZ

Mr Randall wrote:

Here's a screenshot of my Applications folder and the Mail folder.....

I took a look at your screenshot, Mr Randall & you did not do what WZZZ told you you must do. You did not delete the version 4.6 "Mail.app" icon that is in your Applications folder. I can tell that it's version 4.6 because of its small filesize & the fact that it's got a generic Apple icon, not the Apple Mail icon. And FYI, DESPITE THE FACT that it says it's version 4.6, this particular one, at this stage of the game for you, is GARBAGE. So DUMP IT.

So your very first Step #1 is this, Mr Randall: DELETE THAT MAIL ICON IN YOUR APPLICATIONS FOLDER.

Secondly, I see that in your Applications folder that you've also got a folder there called "Mail." That Mail folder SHOULD NOT be there. That Mail folder, which contains all of your emails, should be located in the "[username] / Library" folder and ONLY in there (see screenshot). So MOVE IT.

And by the way, Mr Randall:

Mr Randall wrote:

Here's a screenshot of my Applications folder and the Mail folder.....

That second window in your screenshot is NOT a screenshot of, as you stated it is of, of your "Mail" folder (which somehow mysteriously got in there).

That second window is a of the CONTENTS of that half-baked, garbage Mail.app v4.6 "application" that you didn't get rid of that WZZZ told you you had to delete but which you did not do.

Follow our directions & don't experiment & don't do things that you are not 100% sure of doing, as it sounds to me as though you are not all that savvy with the Mac OS; you sound to me that you know just enough to be dangerous for yourself (as we Gateway Tech Support people used to term some of the Gateway customers we used to deal with back in the olden days).

Just follow the steps that I posted here in a previous post in this thread TO THE LETTER and ONLY those 5 steps & you'll get your Mail to work again.

And get that "Mail" folder OUT of your Applications folder and put it back where it belongs!!

KK

I've followed your directions WZZZ and it's not resolved the problem. I moved the smaller app to the trash, ran the update and it just gives me a 'new' small app alongside my 'original'. Because of this i tried your further instructions regarding the package contents. Feels like i'm going around in circles.

kevinkendall - followed your steps also and was very hopeful after you pointed out the mail folder should be in 'library' so i moved it and repeated all the steps with no joy. As you correctly state, i'm certainly no boffin when it comes to the OS system - i'm a user not an engineer and don't really expect to be fiddling about under the bonnet so to speak - as i'm sure many Mac users don't :-)

Anyway, i'm taking a break from ths for today. Will continue tomorrow. Thanks for your help and patience so far!

:-)

Mr Randall wrote:

kevinkendall - followed your steps also and was very hopeful after you pointed out the mail folder should be in 'library' so i moved it and repeated all the steps with no joy.

Well, first, your Mail folder being in the wrong location was an indication to me that you're doing things without *really* knowing why you're doing them, OR you're not following directions to the "T," OR you're experimenting when you should not be experimenting, Mr Randall.

But that Mail folder can be anywhere at all & a good "Mail.app" will still work, no matter where you put that Mail folder full of your emails. In your case though, with your Mail folder being in your Applications folder instead of the Library folder where it belongs, should you have gotten Mail.app to work, Mail.app would not have "seen" your Mail folder that's full of your emails since it was not in the Library, & so it would have required you to create a New Account. And though your Mail.app would have been working, you would have been posting here again 😟 because you would not have seen all your emails as you had before.

Do this: Check System Profiler for what version of Mail you've got on your Mac & where it is.

Post a screenshot here of your own System Profiler, ok?

Here is a screenshot of mine: (note that mine shows Mail v4.6... YOURS should show version 4.5).

KK

Try this: find all copies of Mail and put them in the Trash (don't empty it just yet.) Do a Spotlight search. But make sure you don't put that Mail folder or Mail Downloads in your user Library in the Trash.

Download and install the 10.6.8 Combo Update and then run the Security Update again. You probably still have these.dmgs, but if not.

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1399

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1586

Finally, if this still won't work, make sure all copies of Mail.app are in the Trash. Reinstall Mail.app from the Install DVD. (When finished, it will be version 4.2.) Find it in Optional Installs.

Then run the Combo (this will update Mail to version 4.5 and it will put it in the proper Applications folder) and then the Security Update again.

Thanks for your help WZZZ and kevinkendall.

I think a reinstall is my only hope, however as there's a problem with my drive - the Install dvd won't upload the disc, it spits it back out after a couple of attempts - a visit to the Genius bar might be in order before i can sort the mail problem.

KK, my mail app 4.5 IS in the applications folder and the mail folder has been moved to the library. I understand where you're coming from but can assure you I haven't and wouldn't be 'experimenting' - i'm not a ******* :-)

I have noticed that the mail folder reappeared back in the applications folder after moving it - presumably after running yet another update.

Whether by reinstall or other i'm sure my fix is in this thread so once again to both - many thanks!

Mr Randall wrote:

Thanks for your help WZZZ and kevinkendall.

I think a reinstall is my only hope, however as there's a problem with my drive - the Install dvd won't upload the disc, it spits it back out after a couple of attempts - a visit to the Genius bar might be in order before i can sort the mail problem.

KK, my mail app 4.5 IS in the applications folder and the mail folder has been moved to the library. I understand where you're coming from but can assure you I haven't and wouldn't be 'experimenting' - i'm not a ******* :-)

I have noticed that the mail folder reappeared back in the applications folder after moving it - presumably after running yet another update.

Whether by reinstall or other i'm sure my fix is in this thread so once again to both - many thanks!

In my opinion Mr Randall, you need to take your Mac into a Mac store's tech department & have them fix your Mac. You're just going to have to part with some bucks, I think.

Your Mail folder should NOT be re-appearing in your App folder, and your problems with the DVD drive and/or the install disk itself, notwithstanding that the Update doesn't update your Mail v4.5 that's in your App folder, points to some systemic problems that really, only a hands-on approach by a technically savvy person can fix. Sometimes this posting stuff in Apple Discussion just isn't what's needed.

So you're welcome for my efforts, and good luck to you, Mr Randall.

And RE: "experimenting" -- Some folks do that!

KK

Two things: before you part with any money at the Apple Store (and a diagnosis or quick repair may be free), open Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, select the volume, probably called Macintosh HD. It's the one indented below the first listing, which is the drive, and hit Verify Disk. If you get any errors, post back. Next select the drive at the top and look down to see what the SMART Status reports, verified or not.

If your optical drive really needs replacing, don't bother spending a lot of money with Apple. You can get an external DVD/CD drive that will work as well, and probably better, for less than the cost of the repair. Look for one that connects via Firewire. And it may not be the optical drive at fault. The disc may be damaged. Check to see if it will accept some other DVD.

The DVD you tried: is it the original that came with the computer (and is it Snow Leopard, 10.6.2 or 3) or a retail copy of Snow Leopard. Is it from another Mac (it won't work if it is)?

Hey WZZZ, I saw the ridiculous responses to your correct fixes to the email issue, and I respect your insight, as I have learned much from your posts. I have learned that going to the Apple Support site, and downloading the SecUpd 2012-004 to your desktop from the the Support site, then installing it there has been no issue. I've done this on 3 10.6.8 machines in my house, and have not had any of the issues that you have addressed, as well as helping the community. Maybe I have a "magic connection", although I don't think so, but the 3:1 ratio seems to help. Just wanted to pass this along, as it seems you have taken point on this one, quite effectively. Just my experience on this one, as I needed to do this update, but after reading the posts I waited till I finished my last show, where everything was working. Peace. SNJPT

🙂