1800271 - Changing the server settings (server/user name) requires multiple restarts

Status: UNCONFIRMED

(Thunderbird :: Account Manager, defect)

Description

Steps to reproduce:

In the past by change the server-settings (server / username) for an email-account there was only one restart of thunderbird needed (popup).

Since version 100 or 101 or 102 for this thunderbird pop up the restart-popup by changing one of them (server / username). This needs 2 restarts for changing the server-settings for one email-account.

The next big problem is, that i must go offline for changing the server-settings, because, thunderbird calls otherwise a false server or the right server with a false username.

Comment 1

[Wayne Mery (:wsmwk)]

Much more detail is needed. For example:

• You refer to popups, but don't have a screen shot or identify what that pop up is.
• imap or pop account?
• It almost sounds like you routinely change server / user name. How often do you do this?

Comment 2

[Magnus Melin [:mkmelin]]

If you need to change both username and server, then it is indeed two restarts nowadays (after realhostname removal). There's no easy way around it.

Comment 3

[slart]

(In reply to Wayne Mery (:wsmwk) from comment #1)

Much more detail is needed. For example:

• You refer to popups, but don't have a screen shot or identify what that pop up is.
  I use the german version.

change the username (first) and click in the servername field:
"Der Benutzername wurde geändert. Eventuell müssen Sie auch Ihre E-Mail-Adresse und/oder den Benutzernamen dieses Kontos ändern."
OK [Button]
× [top right]
Click "OK" → this popup pop up:
"Es ist ein Neustart der Anwendung nötig, um die Änderung der Server-Adresse oder des Benutzernamens zu übernehmen."
Neu Starten [Button] | Abbrechen [Button]
× [top right]
Click "Abbrechen" or × → the changed username will be reset to the last.

change the servername (first) and click in the username field:
"Es ist ein Neustart der Anwendung nötig, um die Änderung der Server-Adresse oder des Benutzernamens zu übernehmen."
Neu Starten [Button] | Abbrechen [Button]
× [top right]
Click "Abbrechen" or × → the changed servername will be reset to the last.

By click "Neu Starten" Thunderbird restart directly.

• imap or pop account?

All POP.

• It almost sounds like you routinely change server / user name. How often do you do this?

monthly by several accounts.

(In reply to Magnus Melin [:mkmelin] from comment #2)

If you need to change both username and server, then it is indeed two restarts nowadays (after realhostname removal). There's no easy way around it.

Perhaps there is a solution to design it with one field for both like: [e-mail]

Comment 4

[xbarinka]

Hello,

I want to report the same thing on TB version 102.4.0 (32 bit, win), but my main question is, why the restart is need when imap server address is changed? I really can't imagine why I have to restart the whole application in order to change the server hostname. Few version ago this wasn't necessary. I think that things should be improved in new versions, not made worse...

Comment 5

[xbarinka]

Attachment: Restart TB prompt when server address changed

Comment 6

[Magnus Melin [:mkmelin]]

Earlier versions stored a shadow copy of the old data indefinitely, and that caused much more issues elsewhere.
The server address is used all over the place, so a restart is needed to make sure it's picked up properly. It seems a small price to pay for the once-in-a-lifetime server address change.

Comment 7

[xbarinka]

Ok, so forced restart is just an ugly hotfix of deeper problems. Uh, maybe instead of changing icon styles every 6 months the power should be put into code base / architecture refactorization...

Thanks for explanation.

Comment 8

[slart]

Perhaps there is a solution to design it with one field for both like: [e-mail]
The current situation is a problem, because a false server with false username or a false username to the right server is requested. Instead 2 restarts are necessary. That can not tolerated.

Comment 11

[wav756]

I cannot believe this is still there after 2 years and 13 major versions later.

Solution is done in 20 minutes or so.

Set a flag when you get a leave focus event and check later when entering focus in a field not server or user name.
I've done this dozens of times.

bool flag;

leave focus server field
check if content changed
if so flag |=1;
enter focus field user name, do nothing.
leave focus field user name check if content changed
if so flag|=2;
and do restart dialog .

enter focus other field below, check flag and do restart dialog if non-zero.

Roughly something like this.
Some lead to believe this is rocket science, it's not, compared to entire thunderbird which is incredible.
Just my $0.02...

Comment 12

[nop]

I second all of the above.

The defect is still here in V140. Changing Server, Account and Encryption mode requires two restarts and four times cancelling the request to enter a password.

And as a developer I agree that this could be easily resolved with a dirty flag and focus lost handler on the settings page.