mail re-install?

[george]

at the moment I use either Mail or Entourage I have deleted all Mail entries in and out and would like to start afresh, can I now delete the mail application? and if I do where do I find it's original to start afresh?
If this is successful I would like to do the same with Entourage.
The reason I am doing this is that I am bombarded with junk/spam and would like to
keep a close eye in future on the the rules that I would like in place.
George

[pendragon]

George,

AFAIK, deleting the Mail and Entourage apps will not, unilaterally, provide the relief you seek. I think the files you need to delete are the associated settings and preference files. If you don’t do that, installing new apps is unlikely to resolve the issue. With luck, thems what really knows will add their 2 pence and confirm or refute my thoughts.

I don't use Mail or Entourage, so I can't add much re what files I think should be deleted.

That all said and to (finally) answer your question, Pacifist will allow you to easily install the Mail app from the OSX install CD/DVD.

As for Entourage, the Office install CD supports Custom Installs, e.g., only installing Entourage.

HTH

[george]

Harv,
when you say I should delete associated settings and preference files, where exactly are these little demons to be found?
George

[pendragon]

George,

As noted above, I am not using Mail or Entourage, so I remain unenlightened (that means I dunno) re where the pertinent files may be resident. Sorry.

Many TSers use Mail and Entourage, so (real) help should not be far off.

[george]

Thanks anyway Harv,out of interest are there more reliable apps other than the deadly duo that I use?

[D76]

QUOTE(george @ Jul 24 2006, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks anyway Harv,out of interest are there more reliable apps other than the deadly duo that I use?

Thunderbird is my favourite email application, but I keep Apple's Mail on hand, though I never use it, in case Thunderbird takes a dive, and in case Mail's absence screws up any Apple software updates, and in case a software update improves it. I consider it a full-size spare in the trunk.

If Mail is in the computer but never used, it can cause no more trouble than if it's trashed. And it would be handy to have around when trying to figure out the server settings for any new email app.

[kelly]

George. Try Deleting...

User > Library > Preferences > com.apple.mail.plist

Pretty good chance you'll start from scratch.  

Your old emails and such are in...

User > Library > Mail

You could also move everything out of that Folder.

Hold on to it somewhere else in case you need it.

PS. You could hold on to that plist also. Just in case.

[RobW]

In Entourage, you might try removing the contents of the Microsoft User Data ("MUD") folder in the documents folder. Put the contents in another folder somewhere in case you need to put it back again. I believe the next time you start Entourage, you'll have to reenter all of your user info, prefs, rules, account info, etc. This is easier than trashing the program. If there's a problem, just put the contents back in there.

[george]

thanks Robw will keep your suggestion in reserve.
Kelly, have done as you suggested and trashed (pro tem) com.apple.plist and it would appear to be starting from scratch so much so that it is asking for my .mac password and the only password that I normally use it tells me that it is wrong.
Unless of course .mac has a password that is peculiar to .mac.
 
George

[kps]

If you want an 'industrial strength' solution to your spam issues, get yourself a copy of SpamSieve.