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General discussion

Moving Netscape 7.2 from old to new computer

Jul 26, 2005 11:48AM PDT

New poster here, been lurking a while. Please forgive what is probably an ignorant question:

I'm on the verge of getting a new computer. I've been using Netscape 7.2 on my old one for email and usenet newsgroups, and I would like to have it on my new computer, too. (I understand Netscape 8.0 is web browser only, no email/newsreader. Grrr.) I figure I can burn the appropriate folder/files onto a CD, but... to put it on the new system, can I just copy the folder/files for Netscape 7.2 from the CD onto my hard drive, or will I have to run some sort of installation? I still have the "NSSetup" file from when I downloaded/installed it from Netscape, if needed. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

Discussion is locked

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I never heard of Netscape 8. . .
Jul 26, 2005 11:01PM PDT
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As you still have
Jul 27, 2005 8:33AM PDT

the original setup file you should use that.

Copying Netscape's folders over won't work as has already been explained because Netscape installs files in the Windows/%system% folder and elsewhere, so you would never get them all. Also it is registered in registry, something you cannot safely export to a new machine.

But the original setup file should work fine. Make sure you have a valid internet connection handy if need be as if I remember rightly, the setup file installs other files from the internet.

Having said that, make sure you are adequately protected on the new machine with a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware before connecting to the internet.

Once you are installed, you can export Netscape's Bookmarks from the old computer and import to the new one, either on a network link, or a CD or floppy.

I can't see a way to export email settings, (I use Netscape 7.1 browser and email), although the email application does allow importing of settings, but only from Eudora, Outlook and Outlook Express.

So it's best to make a note of all your email settings, ie pop and smtp names, password, username, etc and just create a new account on the new machine, unless you are upgrading your ISP connection at the same time.

To export/import exisiting mail folders and messages, you can copy the folders over. You haven't said what OS your old computer is, and I assume the new one will be XP.

In XP the mail folders are held in;
C: \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\{numbers&letters}\Mail
and the same for newsgroups but replace Mail with News.

In Windows ME, I believe the path is;
C: \Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\ etc.

I hope this helps.

I haven't downloaded N8 myself as i heard the same thing, its an updated browser only, not an email client. Also it comes bundled with even more AOL bits that I didn't want.

Mark

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Just a thought
Jul 27, 2005 8:35AM PDT

You may have to re-subscribe to the newsgroups.

I bet there's a file somewhere that records what you're subscribed to, and if it isn't in the News folder in the path I gave you, it will be elsewere that you will not be able to find.

Mark

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Thanks, guys!
Jul 27, 2005 9:31AM PDT

Thanks, Wayne & Mark, for the info!

Following Wayne's tip, it turns out you CAN still download 7.2 from Netscape.com, they just don't make it obvious.

And yep, thanks for the reminder, Mark; I definitely will get the new comp all set up with anti-virus/firewall/anti-spyware/etc. before doing anything else. My current one is a vintage 1999 still running Win98SE, and the new one will have XP. I've already gone through and made tons of notes for setting up my ISP account, email, news server, etc., again.

This is a great group here! Thanks again for your help.

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(NT) (NT) Glad we could help, and good luck with the new computer
Jul 27, 2005 8:03PM PDT