Migrating IMAP Mailboxes to Exchange Online?

A few observations that are NOT mentioned n the documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/mailbox-migration/migrating-imap-mailboxes/migrate-other-types-of-imap-mailboxes

1. The destination mailbox is first in the file (it does actually state this later on in the how to if you RTFM).
2. Easiest to just do one mailbox per migration batch. (When there is an error, is easiest to redo individuals and remember where you got up to).
3. You CANNOT have two batches running (or even scheduled to run), with the same mailbox destination.

Why would you even have this situation you may ask..

Let's say there are some historic mailboxes at the old host that are ging to be abandoned.. why not migrate those all into one [free] Shared mailbox, just in case they are needed?

You would think you could just specify a csv like this:

history@newhost.com, furst@oldimaphost.com,password124

history@newhost.com, shecond@oldimaphost.com,password124

history@newhost.com, thurd@oldimaphost.com,password124

No such luck, each one needs to be run on its own, completed and then deleted before the next one can be started!

One further undocumented issue - can a migration be done to a Shared mailbox (so not requiring a license)?

Not sure, because I added it as a licensed user first, before I realised the issue above...

I might remove the user's license now the job done, and leave it as a shared mailbox = which generously currently allows a 50GB mailbox on the house!

Also. after each migration, it may be to drag the content into a new subfolder per person, so as not to have have a hug mixed up Inbox.

Which would be ideal if the webmail page allowed this. Drag an drop worked well for folders, but select all items in the Inbox, and they simply would not drag or (right-click Move) to another folder.

Oh well. No-one is ever going to look in it anyway. And Search is your friend.

Oh, and don't forget to complete the batches BEFORE you change the MX records.. although it does still work if you don't (ask me how I know)

Oh - here is the AI take on things:

To migrate multiple IMAP mailboxes into a single shared mailbox in Exchange Online, you generally need to migrate each source account into a temporary licensed user mailbox first, then merge or move the data into the target shared mailbox. Microsoft’s native IMAP migration tool is designed for 1-to-1 mailbox transfers; it does not natively "merge" multiple source accounts into one destination in a single step. 

Recommended Migration Workflow

1. Prepare the Target Shared Mailbox: Create the shared mailbox in the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) and ensure it has a large enough storage limit (default is 50 GB for unlicenced shared mailboxes).
2. Create Temporary User Mailboxes: For each IMAP account you want to migrate, create a corresponding user in Microsoft 365 and assign a temporary license.
3. Run the IMAP Migration

Tired of waiting for Microsoft's Consumer Extended Security Updates?

I've been promising customers that the option to take up the “Consumer ESU” is coming soooon.. but I've only seen it pop up once If you'd rather pay - here is where you do to get it https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n87tz9kbj74

Microsoft now offers you a lower level upgrade from the free Personal account to allow 100GB storage and an online email box - all for $3 per month. That's pretty good! Go basic

Outlook (again!) GWSO issues with existing profiles.. after upgrading from Office 2016 (32 bit) to O365 64

The GWSO tool is great. But if you have an existing profile that uses this, then when you come to reinstall it, you get the following weird cryptic message: A profile for Google Workspace sync (named 'temp') already exists - you're all set! If you need to create a new profile, please use the 'Setup a Google Workspace Sync user' option from the Start menu. This made no sense (as I had deleted the current gwso profiles I saw in Control Panel Mail profiles..) until I looked in the Windows Start menu and lo and behold there was a new entry to do just that. This quickly ran through the credential prompts, created the new gwso profile as it said it would!

Repopulate the autocomplete emails in a new Outlook profile or installation

 In the old days, the nk2 file was the go to file to get things working again when the old one was no more due to a new Outlook profile  or a new PC..

Later, it was the Autocomplete List cache stored in the hidden folder somewhere in your users' profile folder structure. This was easy enough to copy over to the new user's autocomplete - overwriting the new empty file but using the new filename. (Outlook needs to be closed while you do this)

This list is limited to 1000 by the way, so another reason not to go relying on it to remember all your customers' email address!

However, if you are using Google's sync tool, this appears not to apply!

So to get around this, the trick is to export the contacts t a PST, then import them to the new profile.

That, however does NOT restore the autocomplete that the user is expecting.

The trick is to simply compose  new email, and populate the to or cc or bcc filed with AL the contacts and let it resolve. But you DON'T need to send it, jus cancel out and delete this draft.

From now on the autocomplete will know all the "new" addresses, so the user can carry on as they were addressing emails by typing just the first letter or two, and getting the autocomplete suggestions they were expecting.

In a new email, select ALL (Click and drag down to the bottom)

Let the addresses Resolve, Escape out without sending or saving

Job done!

Moving cached IMAP folders into OnMyMac when offline

If you try and move messages or folders in the IMAp folders of an account that is not online - you will be thwarted!

BUT if you take a copy of the files as shown here, and then re import them into your mail account, you can then safely point to another imap server and not lose all your cached content that would otherwise disappear!

Step 1 Create a copy of the folder that matches the list of mailboxes you need..
~/Library/Mail/Vx/RANDOM-NUMBER
I copied while Mail was open with no issue!




Step 2
From File choose Import and choose Apple Mail format.



The Imports create an Import folder each time you attempt it in the On my mac section.

Step 3
Then simply drag and drop the content of each folder, (or entire folders) up into either the On my Mac section,
Step3a or MOVE the folders into the IMAP folders area to upload to the new server... although I couldn't get this actually to copy so left this step out!
It may be that you need to create the empty folders on the IMAP are and then drag the mail items into each one ?


In a  similar vain - see also https://www.macworld.com/article/3272250/how-to-recover-a-mail-folder-from-time-machine-in-macos.html which details much the same procedure but from a  mailbox restored using Time machine.

Autocomplete and Recently Used Contacts in Office 2016 2019

Occasionally a new cache file is built for some reason and the old one abandoned by Outlook.

Simply rename the current one in use (you can tell by the date), and then copy over the slightly older one (but it will have a large file size compared to the new one in use).

Restart Outlook – and Voila – it starts working again.

Now if we could only get the users to add these emails into their address book – or get Outlook to do that automatically!

 Kudos to this article for hints on the autocomplete file and overwriting it https://kb.intermedia.net/Article/1894

When its working - the user is greeted by these happy (full) dialog boxes :)

When I stops working (possibly due to the G Sync tool?) the user has no entries in these dropdown boxes and feels LOST!

To fix it, I simply copy over an older (but larger Stream_Autocomplete_xxx.dat file. In this case I could have used the one ending in F82, but instead chose to use a slightly older but larger version I put away  in May in case this happened again - which it did!!

How to backup your Google Gmail content SPOILER; Team Drive is not supported

If you are closing down a G Suite account (or just a standard personal GMail account - although I can't think why you'd ever do that!?), than you can store all the mail content offline by syncing a Thunderbird mailbox to it, and then changing the password so that the IMAP no longer ever syncs. Wow - that;s a good idea which I only just now thought of! You could then copy (or rename) the Thunderbird Profile folder - and load it as a different account.

You could then even selectively copy or move content by older or individually into another [live] gmail or other IMAP account to sync the content up.

Voila.

In addition to the takeout mentioned next, the GSuite Migration Tool from within the admin console would be the first thing to try. All email form the old box appears in the new box - but where? (More to follow on this... see Jake's blog https://jakebinstein.com/)

https://support.google.com/a/answer/6351475?hl=en-GB&ref_topic=6351498

Successfully migrated 21766 emails

3 emails failed to be migrated

Details

Migration Status	Complete Successfully migrated 21766 emails 3 emails failed to be migrated Download Migration Error Details
Connection Settings	Migration Server: Gmail Connection Protocol: IMAP Email Server: imap.gmail.com

If you prefer, (or in addition) you should use the account takeout service prior to disbanding...

This allows you to selectively zip up the data content of all your google services, and mailbox in MBOX format, and download some large files google make available.

Actually making using of these backups however is not so easy.

Importing the MBOXs into Thunderbird appears to be the most common advice.

A good guide covering all this for both PC and Mac https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/use-downloaded-gmail-data/

However, GYB is another option. I haven't yet tried it, but it looks promising:

https://github.com/jay0lee/got-your-back/wiki#step-5-performing-a-restore

Head over to takeout to start the process:

There is only one entry for Drive - nothing for Teams Drive (another Blog to come on this!)

Under Mailbox, there are options to choose labels - not sure if this excludes those not selected!?!?

In Step 2 there are options as to how to access the files:

The archives look like this.

Adventures changing pickup rollers on a Fuji Xerox CM415

If you struck this problem - and solved it - please skip to another site right now!

In a printer with an additional main tray, the lower tray rollers change in a snap.
The primary tray rollers, however refuse to come off as there is a plastic cover in the way.. still not sure what it's function is - other than for me to create this post!

The trick is to release the catch and slide the cover to the left. It comes off easily and the rollers can be accessed. (Some say you may need to remove the grey plastic plate below the black plate with one screw - but I could push past that without removing it).

Some helpful photos

The Cloud - for non technical audiences - a shared Google Slides presentation

This is a Google Slides presentation shared for public visibility: Take a look at this 10 minute presentation on my explanation of The Cloud to a non-technical audience - what it is and how it can be used - with an example of email hosted in the cloud (versus the old POP method)

How do I get a new iCloud email address? Simple, you'd think!

When setting up a new idevice for a customer who has never had an iCloud account [gasp] you will need a new iCloud account?
No problem - but you will need a valid email address against which to authenticate!

But hang on, the iCloud email is not yet active...

On your new iPad, you get to login the first time with this validating email - not your new iCloud email  - as it has not yet been enabled!!!

Within the online icloud.com portal, there is no switch to turn on the iCloud email.

Instead you need to go into the iPad's AppleID Accounts settings and in the iCloud entry, you are able to switch on the iCloud email...

Only THEN is the new email address of your choosing active!

This is where you turn it on

The last step is to change the Appleid to the iCloud address rather than the illogical gmail address :)
as follows:

Thanks to this post for the pointers:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/207170/is-it-still-possible-to-get-icloud-com-email-address

The steps seem strange, but first you must create your appleid using a non Apple address (note that if you already have an @icloud, @mac, or @me email address that email address is already an Apple ID)
Once your Apple ID has been created, on the device go to Settings > iCloud and flip the mail switch on, you will be prompted there to create your @icloud.com email address.
Alternatively, you can go to setting and go to mail. From there, add account and choose iCloud. If you choose "create Apple ID" at this screen, for whatever reason, it will allow you to create an "@icloud.com" email.

Selective restore to another user's iMac on OSX 10.10.5 Yosemite (early 2017)

Rather than restoring an entire set of files settings and apps, the Migrate Wizard can be used to import part of your Time Machine content.


If you accidentally click through too fast on the Migrate Wizard steps, and choose to restore everything, fear not.
The new user you have created in the Migrate process will have all the files settings etc from which you can choose. (If you started the Migrate process from the Guest account, it still creates the new user over the top of the Guest account (huh?) - so that is one to watch out for.

But how do you access the files of the new user? Login as the newly created account I hear you say. Yes, but what if the password for that old restored account is long lost?!?!


Using sudo chmod -R 777 in the terminal is a bit scary, so an easier way is to navigate to the folder of the new user. (Log back in to your own user).

The simplest method is to drag the folder with a red no entry sign pops up this authorisation dialog

which appears to do the trick!

I wasn't sure if this method allowed all the sub folders to be copied.. 

So I also tried a slightly longer-winded way of changing the permissions:

From the folder in question, choose Get Info.

From there the trick is to unlock the padlock (bottom right)

And then ADD your account as a Full read & right permission using the + and the Privilege spinner

With that done, the drag an drop copy still prompts for authorisation, but appears to recursively copy everything.

So far so good.

Fresh Windows7 installs failing to update?

Follow these instructions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFfc22x3I_s

Takeaways:

Get the two manual updates, but STOP the windows update service BEFORE you install them.
Restart in between.
Then let Windows update continue as normal. - Give it time.

Good luck

Windows 10 not shutting down? Disable fast startup - here's how

Despite the myriad slew of suggestions tweaking power settings, even delving into the BIOS - simply disable Fast startup - it's worked for me 6 of 6 times!

Job done

How to get your email addresses out of your nk2 file and into a newer version of Outlook

Scenario
An older version of Outlook where te user has an extensive list of frequently used email addresses built up over the years. The user has not managed these by putting them in the address book - as they should have been doing. (IF they had, these would be easy to export and re-import into the new program).

User really wants to just be able to start typing an email address and be prompted with the resulting list of familiar choices they are familiar with!


Title says it all really - my scenario was Outlook2007 to Outlook 2016.


Step 1
Use NIRSOFT's nk2 extractor (its safe) to export all the addresses.

If you try to import the exported csv into the new Outlook and are met with a grayed out box, I'm assuming its because your new destination email account is an IMAP account, and so cannot does not have a contacts "container" like Outlook the app does...

So instead:
from within the app, select all the found addresses, copy and paste into excel.

Step 2
From excel reduce it down to just the email address column (there are way too many columns)

Step 3
Copy and paste this list into an Outlook email compose area
LET OUTLOOK RESOLVE (or force it to resolve with cntrl-k).
You may discard this email - so you don't need to spam your entire address book to do this :)

DONE - as these addresses are now in the new Outlook nickname file b ;)
(They are STILL not in the address book) - but who cares!?

It's a pleasure

How to format a USB drive to EXT4 - so that it reliably writes more than once from a Readynas 

Get these tools:
to create an ext4 partition
http://download.cnet.com/MiniTool-Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition
(freeware)
to be able to read it on Windows
http://www.paragon-software.com/registration/extfs-windows.html
(requires registration)
Paragon can be loaded just as required (don't integrate unless needed.
No reboot was required to install these two and use them on Win7 Pro :)

(or use http://www.diskinternals.com/linux-reader/
or
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/files/latest/download
neither of which I have tried)

To Brother or not to Brother?

I'll have to say this in not so many words - buy a reputable brand.

As a dealer/reseller, I may not make as much markup - but I least I don't have come-backs such as we have had with a few other newer brands - ones more normally associated with phones and TVs than printers!

See this interesting discussion on why HP hasn't cornered the copier/MFP article:
http://blog.marketpoint.com/2012/07/22/is-it-a-printer-that-copies-or-a-copier-that-prints-how-the-convergence-of-copyprintfaxscan-has-blurred-the-lines-2/

Sometimes, you just have to get the paper out, no further fixing required - even if it was a 40 minute drive to site!

One droplet of oil..

Taking the lead from a great post : http://blog.marketpoint.com/2013/01/23/hp-color-laserjet-5500-51-2-error-on-the-display/ , and with nothing to loose, as I had already disassembled the printer down to the scanner, I decided to try a wee drop of oil... (The motor that spins up the laser scanner, had almost seized up and was screaming as the printer initialized). A light clean and oil and it was fixed :)

Here is the offending scanner. There was no documentation or labelling as to which was the Cyan scanner, but the the lowest toner in the set was Cyan, so an educated guess turned out to be correct   :)
In addition, to double check that error 52.1C was in fact the scanner (and not the DC controller as the manual suggested it could be), I simply swapped the two leads to the DC controller, and sure enough the error changed to 52.1Y - the yellow scanner was the next level up.
(I didn't need to put any covers back on to run this test, just the fuser needed reinstalling, and the front door reed switch needed to be held in.)

The customer was, needles to say rather pleased at this outcome - especially as I had some years ago ordered this very part for the same error, but the issue resolved itself so we didn't actually need to change the part till now, nearly four years later!.
And when it came to replacing it, somehow I didn't have the correct part :( Luckily a drop of oil and some perseverance was all that was required.

So now I have for sale a brand new laser scanner part number C2037-69008 as pictured:

MacMail - restoring mailboxes from Time Machine.

Let's say, that you are moving into the modern way of doing things - and want your mail collected by IMAP instead of POP. (Yes, I know ther are some of you who resist!)

A lot of customers are discovering that this is the way to go to avoid having to find their message amongst all the spam and flotsam on multiple devices... And more importantly see what was Sent in reply to that important email last week when you were in Honlulu and your partner replied on your behalf..

I accomplished this (on Mavericks on an iMac), but with a few provisos and heart-stopping moments.

The pop settings had been set to delete all mail on the server after a month, and there were two xtra accounts with history back about 3 years (2016 to 2013).

After checking the amount of mail left on the server and making sure I had the passwords correct (using webmail), I deleted the two accounts in Mail.

What I forgot to do was drag the contents into folders created under the On My Mac section.

I created the two new IMAP accounts (the trick here is to purposefully put a wrong password in - or else you will simply get a POP Yahoo account created).

So I resorted to Time Machine - which I knew had been backing up OK.

Two tricks I learned here - place your cursor in the Folder or Mailbox that you want to restore before pressing the Time Machine. Either restore an entire mailbox, or select individual mail within a box.

Allow all the items to load BEFORE pressing Command-A to select all though!

Then Restore and wait a good amount of time to allow the process to complete as there is no indication of its progress or success. In future I may open a terminal to see if there any encouraging logs coming through...


The most important trick is to close Mail, and re-open it, and you should see a new folder at the bottom of the list called Recovered Messages, and Recovered Messages-1 -2 -3 if you have tried it a few times like I did (These new folders not be visible if you have a lot of folders), and copy and paste the items back into the IMAP Inbox, (or perhaps just into an On My Mac folder if you prefer - in case the IMAP server deletes them as they are not on the server) - as reported in this excellent page here: http://pondini.org/TM/15m.html

Job done.

Connect Google Docs to a MySQL Server

Needed some quick and dirty reports from a MySQL Server based website to a User that used Google docs.

Found this
https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/jdbc#reading_from_a_database

Open a Google spreadsheet click Tools->Script Manager create a new script and paste. Change host, instance (Schema), user and password and put some SQL in and you are done Googles end. Then you need to enable your server to let in Googles servers. There may be a more secure way than this using netmasks but this worked for me.

Create users with ip ranges of Googles servers to keep out the nasties.



When you run foo it copies data into the root of the spreadsheet.