As always, thanks. For -ROAM especially, doubt I'd ever have figured that one out (well, I did study the HELP file but it missed me somehow...)

m

I find I need to switch between my Microsoft Surface (Win10) tablet and my (Win7) desktop quite often nowadays, and the last couple of times I tried to just move the Pmail/Mail folder like I used to do I had an awful time.

 So can anyone explain in words of one syllable or less and sentences of 3 words or less if it's possible to run PMail from a flash drive, and if so exactly how to go about setting it up? Or give me a link to a set of directions for the simpleminded? 

 TIA

molly

Sorry, can't be done in 3 one syllable words per line but go for it anyway.  Read the instructions below and ask questions if you fully understand something.  You are only making copies of the files from an existing install so can't mess anything up (make a copy of an existing install then copy from that just to be extra safe).  I am currently traveling so may not be able to promptly respond to questions but will respond just as soon as I can.

1. Create a directory on your flash drive called PMail

2. Copy the entire \PMAIL\PROGRAMS directory to it from your tablet or PC

3. Copy the entire \PMAIL\MAIL directory to it from your tablet or PC (whichever one has the mailbox content that you want)

On the flash drive you should now have \PMAIL with subdirectories of \PROGRAMS and \MAIL.

4. Create a new text file on the root of the flash drive named STARTPM.BAT (this will be an executable file used to start Pegasus Mail).  The file should contain the following three lines:

@echo off
start %drive%\PMAIL\Programs\winpm-32.exe -roam -a -ms -i [username]
exit

Note: replace [username] with the Pegasus Mail username you want to start Pegasus Mail as.  If you do have multiple users then do not include the -i option.  If the shortcut on your tablet or PC includes the -id option to specify an Identity then add it to this line.

Note2: the -ms option allows for the running of multiples instances of Pegasus Mail so you can simultaneously run the flash drive instance and the instance installed on the device.  If you do this, add the -ms option to the shortcut on the devices if it is not already there.

Note3: the %drive% variable allows this start Pegasus Mail regardless of what drive letter is assigned to the flash drive. 

5.  You're done.

To start Pegasus Mail simply run the STARTPM.BAT file.

Caveat:  One of the problems of using a portable version between multiple devices is that Pegasus Mail will appear different on each device with a different screen resolution.  Sometimes you can find a window size that works on both but sometimes the resolution difference is too great.  If that is the case there is a way to utilize multiples .ini files to help mitigate the problem (I use two, one for my hi-res laptop, one for my low-res desktop).  You will need to work with the portable version between to two devices to determine whether you this is something necessary to pursue.  FWIW, this only helps with the main window size.  Child window sizes are not controllable per device.

Finally: flash drives fail without notice so routinely copy the .BAT file and the entire \PMAIL directory to a different device.  I sync mine to a location on my laptop HD almost every day.  You then copy them to a different flash drive should the current one fail.

OK, that seems very clear and I've copied the text to my desktop HD and the Ultra Fit. The window size issue is a minor nuisance; it was the same when just copying Pmail/Mail (to a movable something and from that to whatever I was carrying around at the time.

I'm not sure I need all the parameters you've provided, as the desktop isn't networked (nothing is nor ever will be) and I'm the only person deals with data on any of my devices. The shortcut just says (in the Target box) C:\PMAIL\Programs\winpm-32.exe and tools/identities says <default> . So I'm not sure I need the -a parameter or the -ms option (I can see myself getting into terrible trouble with the Horse running on the tablet AND the flashdrive. Seems to me a .BAT file on the desktop and on the tablet to copy STARTPM.BAT AND \PMAIL to some theoretically more reliable storage would simplify backups.

(I've had two system drives and 2 internal HD's fail on the desktop and the cat knocked over an external chasing a hummingbird in my office and broke it but all the portable storage from the very first 8mb CF card to the various thumb drives keep going. The tiny UltraFit whose 128gb must be partly sandwiched in with the usb connector somehow has a VERY risky feel to it, however!)

Again, thanks so much for the complete and clear directions covering a great many contingencies and I hope someone will make your post sticky!

molly

Regarding the comand line, the -a  option is recommended and the -roam will be required. 

From the help file:

-A (no parameter)
Forces Pegasus Mail to run in standalone mode, ignoring any NetWare connection.
-ROAM  This option tells Pegasus Mail that it should ignore the configured drive letter when locating user mailboxes and mail files, and should instead use the drive letter of the drive from which WINPM-32.EXE was run

A .bat file to make backup copies is a good solution.  I use an on-demand sync utility but must be sure not to run it while Pmail is running.  Same would apply to copying with a .bat file.