Firefox Not Installing Update Correctly

Been using Firefox for about 3 months now and really like it much better than IE. Except I "m having a problem that I can't fix! I am getting the error "one or more files could not be updated..." I went to their site and found all the solutions to fixing this and I still can't get rid of that message. I undid the teatimer in Spybot. I deleted the xml's it suggested. I disabled my virus checker. I even reinstalled Firefox over the old one. No go. It's a pain because I let my Vista ask me if I want to do this (one click)and then have to close out the error message (another click)before my browser can even open. I figured maybe I should just completely uninstall it and re download it. Can't do that because now I can't get IE to open a window for me! It just hangs. I'm afraid if I uninstall Firefox then I won't be able to open any browser. Is there anyone out there who can help me? The Firefox site doesn't seem to want to help. Their tech bulletin board was useless.

Thanks.

 

I have been successful in doing the automatic updates, although I feel more comfortable uninstalling the old program, and then installing the new one. Never, ever on top, because you will keep carrying on some problems as you do that.
Since the profile is not affected by uninstalling the program, there is nothing to fear.Of course, I don't have Vista, which has been reported to have problems. Considering that you are having problems with IE, there may be something deeper there.
Can you download the new complete Firefox file from Firefox? You say that you had an error, but can you use the browser? You said nothing about that.

 

I'm sorry. I thought I made it clear that I can use the browser with no problems. Just the error message about updating every time I bring up my browser. I'm wondering if I can download the program, save it, then uninstall the old one and then execute the new one without any trouble. Does this sound feasible?

 

Panda,

Yes, that sounds feasible. If the program runs as it should (other than auto update) then download the latest version here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

Uninstall the installed version using Add/Remove, and also delete the Mozilla Firefox folder located here: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

Reboot your PC

Install the new downloaded file.

In the future I would suggest uninstalling the current version before installing an updated version. I always prefer a clean install.

 

Hi Panda,

Ramona's suggestions are sound, as far as they go, but Add/Remove won't completely remove Firefox (or any other program), and rebooting your computer only clears its memory of references to Firefox ... numerous references remain in the Registry, and one or more of them may be causing your problem. I strongly suggest using a program like RegSeeker to clean the Registry of any references to Firefox after uninstalling it.

RegSeeker doesn't require installation (it can be run from any folder), and using it is easy ...

1. Click on "Find in registry ", type Firefox in the search window (I check all boxes under "Keys ") and either click the Search button or tap the Enter key. After the search is complete you should have between (approximately) 20 and 100 listings for Firefox.

2. Click on the blue checkmark at the bottom of the screen, then click on "Select All ". After a second or so, depending on how many references to Firefox were found, the listings should change color, indicating that they've been selected.

3. Click on "Action ", to the right of the blue checkmark and select "Delete selected items ". If you've left the box for "Backup before deletion" checked (the default setting) RegSeeker will place a file titled something like firefox-4-12-08-10.20.39.reg in RegSeeker's Backup folder. This file can be used to merge the deleted references back into the Registry, should you desire to do so.
​

Now reinstall Firefox.

FWIW, I use RegSeeker to clean the Registry after uninstalling any program.

 

Cool! Love all the tips. Will get on it and let you all know how I made out. Good idea on the reg cleaner. Had to do it to my mother-in-laws' computer and it made a difference in performance.

 

HELP!!! I did exactly what was recommended. Downloaded new Firefox. Saved it to downloads. Uninstalled the old one. Ran regseeker. It found 90 entries. Deleted them. Installed the new browser and when I bring it up it says it's not responding and then closes it down! I'm using Safari right now to come here only because it happened to download when I updated ITunes the other day. IE still isn't responding, either. I also noticed that when Firefox was trying to load that my personal preferences were still listed on the bar. Why is that? Now what do I do??????

 

Since you are having problems with IE, as well, as I said before, there may be something fishy going on. But, Safari is working.
As for Firefox, did you try to create a new profile? I don't think you did, as you say that

.
If you did not remove the profile, you can clean up your Registry till doomsday, and still have problems. As 99% of the problems reside in the Profile, that should be the first place to look into. You should refer to Ramona's Netscape Solutions article for the creation of a new profile. The new profile will start with the basic info, but you can slowly add to it your personal data.

 

Thanks for that tip. I'll get back to you as soon as I find the time to play with it. I'm kinda liking this Safari. I may just stay with it for now, but would still like to get Firefox and IE working again. I think I ran into a 'run time' problem with IE. I don't quite understand what that means or what to do to fix it. I sometimes wonder why I got a Vista. Maybe I should have insisted on an XP when I bought this new computer last year. grrrrrrrrrr!



OH WOW! Just discovered something! I closed Safari. I opened it back up. A message comes up that says 'do you want to make Safari your default browser?' I said 'yes' and got that 'not responding' message! I panicked! I opened Safari again and instead of saying yes or no I just clicked the X to close the window. I got in! I tried the same thing with Firefox and got in ok. Now I just have to figure out why IE doesn't even want to load and why making a browser a default is causing that error message. I know I still have problems here, but guess I need to work my through them. Don't go away! I'll still need your help!

Thanks.

 

As far as I am concerned, I will do all I can to keep XP. I may consider Vista only after everything is settled.
I don't know the Vista settings, but XP has a Control Panel|Set Program Access and Defaults button. There are four choices, and the Non-Microsoft may prevent access to IE. I use the Custom setting, but it has nothing to do with allowing access. Most of my programs have a check mark next to allolw access, but it does not seem to matter. The default choice is made when you first open a program, and request it to become default. It mean only one thing. That the default program will open when you click on a link in Mail, or do a Search.
Only the Custom settings will allow me to select a non-Microsoft program, keeping the a ccess to all other programs. There should be some Set Program Access in Vista.

 

That's what I'm thinking. That somehow my default setting is messed up and that's why it keeps kicking it out when I try to set ANY browser as a default. I don't know where to go to fix that, though. Is there a Vista expert out there somewhere??????

 

Whenever in doubt do a Search .
When I searched for set default and access & vista, I go a lot of hits. The top one is the one I gave you. It seems that the way to handle defaults and access is like in XP, and, I think it is clearly explained.
As I said, default is one thing, while access is another. But you should be able to access any program, although you will be asked if you want to make it your default. And, youy say no, if you want to keep a specific program as default.
I works for me in XP SP2 Home edition. For instance, I have selected Firefox2.0.0.13 as default, with its own profile. I am using now Firefox3.0beta5, with a different profile, and can use IE7, Safari3.1, and two Seamonkeys. However, they are never opened from a link, with the exception of some irritating websites who are hard-coded to open for IE.
As for a Registry Cleaner, I have never found necessary to use it, since I had problems with McAfee anti-virus, and Zone Alarm, some five years ago. But, I do a limited clean up, on a regular basis.

 

Just thought I'd let you know that the problem seems to be solved. I did a search on my computer for default browsers and found a place to make Firefox the default. I don't get that message any more asking me if I want to make it the default. It also uses Firefox now when I open links in email. Before it was actually opening IE which surprised me since I couldn't get into before. I sometimes use Safari now but mostly prefer Firefox. I thank you for your help and hope this resolves my problem.

 

Great!

 

You have got to be kidding!!! The problem is back! Same error message. It really has me frustrated now. It seemed like a simple thing to do by downloading a supposedly safer browser. I don't know what to do now. I wonder if making it the default browser is the culprit. Sigh.

 

There is no logical explanation. May be it is a profile glitch. Make something else default. What the heck. It should not matter if you can get into the program.

 

It's the principle of the thing now. It's an annoyance. I'm going to do some more research and see what I come up with. Thanks, anyway, for your help.