I lost my password. System does not send me an email with instructions . . . Created another account so I could login to forum. Original account has been idle for a number of years. what can I do to get into my original account? Systems won't set up a new account with original email address because it already exists.

Well you seem to have logged on here with an old account. Not a new one.

This account was created in 2009 and last processed work in 2010.

This is all known information. I'm looking for reasons why this failure occurs or directions to a knowledgebase that will explain provide an answer. If this is a secret or there's no way to educate new users, then this site is not for me.

@Steve1916: Perhaps the email went into a SPAM filter?

The project emails the user a temporary login link with which they can enter their account, so that they can change their password, accompanied by the words Please use the link below to access a form which will enable you to reset your password.

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Does it use the "old" or "new" email address (if the address has been changed by the user)????

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

It will use the address it has in the database, so if you changed it to the new address prior to losing your login, it will be sent to the new address. The project does not retain any earlier email address(es) you used.

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If there was a SETI response, it did not go into my SPAM folder. SETI indicated that password was incorrect, but when I tried to re-set the password, it never responded or at least it wasn't received on my end. When I tried to create a new account, SETI said there was already an account with that password and refused. It appeared that something most likely happened while the account was dormant. I was trying to find out what happened to inactive accounts and all my data. Is the system designed to delete everything, but then retain the email account and refuse to create another account? I found out more by Googling inactive SETI accounts and it appears that accounts that were thought to be created by hackers were deleted, so the refusal to use the original email address was probably part of the plan get revenge, but why destroy an account with so much data? If so, why such a disingenuous solution?

Hold on, just to make sure we're on the same page.
With the other account, you did go to https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/get_passwd.php and used the top option to fill in the affected email address?
Accounts for everyone are kept in the database, that's whatever nickname they gave plus email address, credit, RAC and attached computers with their individual info's. These details aren't deleted, not even for spammers. For the spammers the account is just disabled and made hidden, so they cannot use the same email address to re-register.

The email address is the unique identifier. So make sure you didn't add any typos in the address.

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This is all known information.

You started this thread by using your old account - so you know the email+password for it. (?)

So what is the problem?

If you know the email+password for your old account - log-in (if successful I don't see the problem. If needed check/change email if it is wrong/not-existing)

If you are already log-in in the browser but you forget password (i.e. only the browser remember that you are logged-in (in a cookie, for one year)):
- Read/Copy/Save the info from this page (Your account - Account keys - View)
https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/weak_auth.php

__________________

I just tested (and all is OK):

- I Copy/Paste my Email address (that is used for this account here on SETI@home) on this page:
https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/get_passwd.php

a) Result (on page here):
"Email sent
Instructions have been emailed to xxxxxxx@yyy.bg.
If the email doesn't arrive in a few minutes, your ISP may be blocking it as spam. In this case please contact your ISP and ask them to not block email from setiweb@ssl.berkeley.edu.
"

b) Result (in my email):
- Only seconds later I received an email:
"
SETI@home account information
от: "SETI@home" (setiweb@ssl.berkeley.edu)
дата: 31.07.2017 20:16
до: xxxxxxx@yyy.bg
This email was sent in response to a request on the SETI@home web site.

To log in to your SETI@home account, visit:
https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/login_action.php?id=8647488&t=tttttt999tttttt&h=zzzzzz12345zzzzzz
(This link is valid for 1 day).
After logging in, you can change your account's password or email address.

For further information and assistance with SETI@home, visit
https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/
"

_______________


Second test with "random" email gives (on page here):

"No such user
There is no user with email address jhsklcjnijoiwcuoiyuuywh@yyy.bg.
Try reentering your email address.
"

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- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)