User Default

Hello!
I am fairly well-versed with computers despite my age, but I confess I am perplexed by a problem I have with Firefox.

I have been using it for over a year, but today it decided to throw me a curly one! Firstly the program was reluctant to come up for me, then crashed. The rest of the coomputer was fine.

When I tried to re-open it, a box came up asking if I wanted to rename my Profile from default. I decided that sounded nice, so went ahead, not knowing anything would happen apart from a renaming process.

Well, do you think I can find my old browser and settings!!! Not a hope. I have tried going into Options. I have tried going into the Programs file - still nothing. I have sourced the Mozilla Help, but all they tell me is that it needs to be changed. Yeeeees! I KNOW that. But HOW do I change it? In desperation I saw your link and now you have me here.

So Heeeelllllpppp! Anyone out there who can help me?

Lizhealth

 

Welcome to the Forum, Lizhealth!

Lizhealth,

First, which Version of Firefox do you run? I don't recall ever seeing Firefox asking to "rename" a Profile, unless that option was accessed by the user... Could you give the exact error dialog? That would be most helpful.

What you can try first is this:
Create a new Profile. This is just to see if by chance something in the Profile is corrupt. If the new Profile works, then you know that is the problem. If you don't know how to transfer pertinent files from the old Profile, or which files to transfer, let us know.

Also, if you make frequent backups of your Profile, then do this:

Rename the existing prefs.js file to Xprefs.js
Copy the backup prefs.js file to the salted folder, located here:

Windows 98/ME
C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\m123r456.profilename

Windows 2000/XP
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\m123r456.profilename

NOTE: These files are hidden by default.
To see hidden files:
1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options
2. Click the View tab
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders
4. Disable "Hide File Extensions for Known Files. "
5. Click OK.

To search for files in the Application Data folder, go to Start | Search.
Under More Advanced Options select Search system folders, Search
Hidden Files and folders, and Search subfolders.

 

Hello Ramona,
Thank you for replying. I am using Windows XP and Firefox the latest one I think. 1.0.7. I updated a week or so ago.

Will try your suggestions out and let you know.
Elizabeth.

 

Elizabeth,

To check the Version of Firefox, click on:

Help | About Mozilla Firefox

The User Agent String will show the Version:

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.7.12) Gecko/20050915 Firefox/1.0.7

If you upgraded just a week or so ago, you most likely have Version 1.5, as it is the current official Release.

 

Hi Ramona,
Thank you so much for your help. I did try to battle with this problem, giving up in the end, and taking the quick way out, by deleting the program and downloading the newest one. How the weeks must have flown. I thought I had the latest version until I went in there.

I realise now that there was either a bug in the system or it was corrupted in some way. Everything is working perfectly now. I will keep your instructions, for a "just in case" situation.

Again,
my thanks,
Elizabeth.