292583 - 32-bit Thunderbird couldn't be set as default mail app on WinXP x64

Status: RESOLVED WORKSFORME

(Thunderbird :: Installer, defect)

Description

[wiktorw]

User-Agent:       Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.7.6) Gecko/20050330 Firefox/1.0.2
Build Identifier: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-US; rv:1.7.6) Gecko/20050330 Firefox/1.0.2

I discovered this almost three months ago. 32-bit version of Thunderbird 1.0.1
incorrectly writes registry entries when it is installed on 64-bit Windows XP
x64 Edition. This makes the user to be unable to correctly set it as default
mail application.

The biggest problem is that the strings ni the registry are now expected
to be in different format:
@ hex(2)
instead of simple string values.

I tinkered with the registry for an afternoon and finally I've found a solution.
I believe I have all the relevant files, so I'll attach them to this report.
If one imports 'thunderbird.reg' into registry, all should be fine. And one
should successfuly select Mozilla Thunderbird as the default mail application
using integrated Windows' machinery (aka Set Program Access and Defaults).

Also to verify the sources, I would like to put some links I used as sources
of information:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/browser/configuration/clientreg/clientregistrylayout.asp
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/programmersguide/shell_adv/registeringapps.asp
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/networking/pluggable/overview/appendix_a.asp


Reproducible: Always

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Install Windows XP x64 Edition
2. Install 32-bit Thunderbird 1.0.1 / 1.0.2
3. Open: Start -> Set Program Access and Defaults
4. [alternatively] use Thunderbird and select in preferences a checkcbox
   to set this program as default mail client.

Actual Results:  
Thunderbird doesn't become default mail application.
Also unable to select it in Internet Explorer preferences, in Programs tab.

Expected Results:  
Use different format / locations of strings which are stored in Windows registry,
as in file 'thunderbird.reg' provided as attachment.

This may also be connected to the bug #202497, but I think that the original
reporter and posters who provided solution(s) have never had any contact
with Windows XP x64 Edition at the time.

Comment 1

[wiktorw]

Attachment: thunderbird.reg

A file with Windows registry settings which I believe should resolve the
problem reported.

Comment 2

[wiktorw]

Attachment: clients-mail.reg

A dump of complete registry settings with three mail clients to choose from.
Attached as the means of comparing proposed settings with system provided ones.

Comment 3

[Gervase Markham [:gerv]]

This is an automated message, with ID "auto-resolve01".

This bug has had no comments for a long time. Statistically, we have found that
bug reports that have not been confirmed by a second user after three months are
highly unlikely to be the source of a fix to the code.

While your input is very important to us, our resources are limited and so we
are asking for your help in focussing our efforts. If you can still reproduce
this problem in the latest version of the product (see below for how to obtain a
copy) or, for feature requests, if it's not present in the latest version and
you still believe we should implement it, please visit the URL of this bug
(given at the top of this mail) and add a comment to that effect, giving more
reproduction information if you have it.

If it is not a problem any longer, you need take no action. If this bug is not
changed in any way in the next two weeks, it will be automatically resolved.
Thank you for your help in this matter.

The latest beta releases can be obtained from:
Firefox:     http://www.mozilla.org/projects/firefox/
Thunderbird: http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/releases/1.5beta1.html
Seamonkey:   http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey/

Comment 4

[wiktorw]

People, I've sent you a SOLUTION. It worked for me.

Try installing Firefox 1.0.7 on WinXP x64 and check if the bug is still valid.
If not, only THEN mark it resolved.

WinXP x64 is becoming more popular. You can only blame yourself if you find that
you haven't solved a problem and people start complain.

Comment 5

[Masatoshi Kimura [:emk]]

Are you setting NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation to 1?

Comment 6

[wiktorw]

(In reply to comment #5)
> Are you setting NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation to 1?
 
Well, no. IIRC system was installed using defaults and I haven't changed them.

Meanwhile I've lost interest in MS products completely and I've switched to Linux. Gentoo flavor, if you want to ask. Life never been better since. :)

Close this bug, if you can't confirm the problem.
Thanks for your interest.

Comment 7

[Wayne Mery (:wsmwk)]

Thorsten do you have 64 bit to test?

Comment 8

[Thorsten]

Hey Wayne, I am using Windows Vista 64bit. 
No problems with FX and TB on Vista 64bit.

Comment 9

[Thorsten]

(In reply to comment #8)
> Hey Wayne, I am using Windows Vista 64bit. 
> No problems with FX and TB on Vista 64bit.
> 

(In reply to comment #8)
> Hey Wayne, I am using Windows Vista 64bit. 
> No problems with FX and TB on Vista 64bit.
> 
No problems with that on FX2.0.0.12 and TB2.0.0.12 and also not on FX3.0b4.

Comment 10

[Wayne Mery (:wsmwk)]

WFM per comment 8, 9