Forced onto Snapshot bc Stable Email is Unusable

[Ayespy]

@edwardp No. I use one profile for all versions, all devices, all instances.

By installing standalone, it is automatic that no data from one instance to another is intermixed, except via sync.

A profile is the identity you use to track and access data. The Default folder is not a profile. It is merely the home of your profile in each separate instance.

So, yes, you need a separate User Data folder for each instance, and @janrif has this. But what he did wrong was install Snapshot into the directory location of his Stable instance. And that is the problem that now has to be corrected.

[Ayespy]

@janrif Do you use only IMAP mail?

[Ayespy]

@janrif What happened was that your preferences file and your mail databases were updated to new formats when you installed Snapshot in that folder. That can't be rolled back by installing Stable over it. This is one reason Vivaldi cautions in all cases against rolling back Vivaldi to earlier versions. It's sure to bite you sooner or later. But if you're on IMAP, you can still regain a working mail instance in Stable.

[edwardp]

@janrif The image you posted above showing the mail database error, I believe, is caused once Snapshot updated the mail database, then it was accessed with Stable, which has a lower version number.

This tells me both installations are accessing the same mail profile, which should not be occurring. They must have their own separate mail profiles.

Sync has nothing to do with the mail client, it only deals with your browser data (bookmarks, etc.)

[Ayespy]

@edwardp You are not getting the fact here. @janrif accidentally installed Snapshot OVER his stable instance, and then reinstalled Stable over Snapshot in the same folder. In the meantime, Snapshot had already updated the mail format in that folder. What he wants, is his clean Stable back. I'm trying to help him with this. Might you let us proceed without interruption?

[edwardp]

This post is deleted!

[Ayespy]

@janrif Do you use only IMAP email in the Vivaldi mail client?

[janrif]

@Ayespy said in Forced onto Snapshot bc Stable Email is Unusable:

@janrif Do you use only IMAP email in the Vivaldi mail client?

Yes

[janrif]

@Ayespy said in Forced onto Snapshot bc Stable Email is Unusable:

@janrif What happened was that your preferences file and your mail databases were updated to new formats when you installed Snapshot in that folder. That can't be rolled back by installing Stable over it. This is one reason Vivaldi cautions in all cases against rolling back Vivaldi to earlier versions. It's sure to bite you sooner or later. But if you're on IMAP, you can still regain a working mail instance in Stable.

@Ayespy I putting some antibiotic on the bite at the moment. And 'yes' I'm IMAP.

[Ayespy]

@janrif OK. So since Snapshot has been installed in this folder at one point, you can't re-use any part of the installation, but you CAN use the data. Save your Default folder off to your desktop or some similarly safe location, and uninstall Stable completely, emptying its folder. Install a new instance of Stable into that folder like before.

Copy all your data files (only, no settings or preferences) back from the saved-off Default to the new Default, not to include any mail files or folders. This would be Bookmarks, Favicons, History, Cookies, Login Data, Notes

Set up your mail accounts and let them download your emails from the web freshly.

Proceed with your new Stable install. setting up your settings and preferences the way you like them.

Use the browser.

Unfortunately, this takes some time, but it results in a fully working Stable, including mail, with all your data preserved.

[janrif]

@Ayespy said in Forced onto Snapshot bc Stable Email is Unusable:

Unfortunately, this takes some time, but it results in a fully working Stable, including mail, with all your data preserved.

@Ayespy Time is no problem; I'm an old retired guy. Thanks for such clear instructions. I will follow carefully & return to this thread only if I run into a problem.

[Ayespy]

@janrif Heh. I'm an old guy (71) but not retired by any means. Still, I don't begrudge the time needed to test, repair, maintain Vivaldi. If I can help the effort, it's all good.

[janrif]

@Ayespy One quick question: I moved both version folders to a new location and on a drive that is not the default. Everything seems to be working properly -- at the moment -- but I don't know if that will get into Vivaldi's way for updates, etc. Both installations are standalones. TIA

[Ayespy]

@janrif If the new drive is a normally accessible one (not encrypted or password protected), I should think updating will go off without a hitch.

[janrif]

A good Sunday to you, @Ayespy. I don't want to overstay my 'welcome' but I have another question in the area we've been discussing in this thread.

On the Speed Dial page, I have folders (duh). I am graphic oriented by profession so I like to 'dress' the folders w icons (select a custom thumbnail) where it makes sense. When I move from stable to snapshot or find I have to re-install Vivaldi, I have to 'dress' them up all over again.

I have been collecting subject icons for a while so sourcing them is not a problem; it's just the act of having to repeat the exercise so my question is: is there is a file that contains this linkage. I see "favicons" which I assume is what I'm talking about but sizing is different.

That last time I asked this question on this forum, the response was a snotty 'I don't need icons. I can read'. Obviously that didn't help on a number of levels. If you can point me in the right direction here, I'd appreciate it. TIA

[Ayespy]

@janrif I'm pretty sure the settings that determine what icons are used in Speed Dial (custom icons) are contained in the Preferences file. Unfortunately, you usually can't copy the preferences file from an old to a new install as a rule, because it is usually the file that contains the corruption that made you have to reinstall or move versions. It also contains your mail account settings and other stuff that would be MUCH easier to deal with if it were in its own separate files. I'm not sure the technical reason for this, but I'm sure there must be one.

I used to use custom icons on Speed dial but after two or three years of it, I finally gave up, because I had to re-assign them so many times to so many different instances. Rather, I changed my speed dial tiles to "icon" size, and they take up less space, I no longer have to scroll on speed dial, and They provide visual cues taken from website icons.

But I feel your pain. Some day, when custom icons can be synced (and there is work in this direction) we can all go back to using custom icons and not have to re-assign them all the time.

[janrif]

@Ayespy said in Forced onto Snapshot bc Stable Email is Unusable:

I'm pretty sure the settings that determine what icons are used in Speed Dial (custom icons) are contained in the Preferences file.

@Ayespy Where does Vivaldi hide this file? TIA

[Ayespy]

@janrif It's not a Vivaldi file. The individual images may be wherever you have them on your hard drive. I gathered them all together into a folder that I named Icons and saved in a place that makes sense to me.

[mossman]

@Ayespy I think he meant the "preferences file" you quoted...

[janrif]

@Ayespy said in Forced onto Snapshot bc Stable Email is Unusable:

I gathered them all together into a folder that I named Icons and saved in a place that makes sense to me.

@Ayespy Me, too but that doesn't help move them as shortcuts. That's why I was interested in the preferences file. I guess it must be tricky to move graphic with folders & website assignments. This works in "icon" size but no other size.