[R. J.]

Hello all,

I downloaded the newest version of Firefox the other day (I think it's 3.0.5). Problem: It will not open.

I saw at Mozilla's forum that an update to Site Advisor may be causing this problem and it was suggested I open Firefox in Safe Mode. Problem: It will not open in Safe Mode.

How can I fix this problem and run my favorite browser again? All suggestions will be appreciated.

I am using Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3. Also, I don't see any (or I don't recognize any) Firefox processes working in Windows Task Manager.

Thank you for your assistance.

R. J.

[jasonguy]

R.J.,
I had a similar problem and resolved it by uninstalling firefox completely (except for my bookmarks,etc.). Then I installed the latest version and it is ok now. Are you seeing any error message? It is quite tough to troubleshoot the problem if there is no error message or the process does not show in the windows taskmanager.

[R. J.]

Hi Jasonguy,

Thanks for the reply. I read somewhere that uninstalling and re-installing Firefox usually don't solve problems. Perhaps that was true for a specific problem that I may have missed.

Anyway, before I uninstall Firefox, please tell how I can do this without losing my bookmarks.

As for error messages, I saw none. Firefox just would not open, even in Safe Mode. And as I said before, I did not see any Firefox processes running in Windows Task Manager. But if Firefox processes were running, I did not recognize them.

Meanwhile, I await your reply. And thanks again for your help.

R. J.

P. S. What submarine did you serve on? What was your rank? Are you still in the Navy?

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by R. J.

Hi Jasonguy,

Thanks for the reply. I read somewhere that uninstalling and re-installing Firefox usually don't solve problems. Perhaps that was true for a specific problem that I may have missed.

Anyway, before I uninstall Firefox, please tell how I can do this without losing my bookmarks.

As for error messages, I saw none. Firefox just would not open, even in Safe Mode. And as I said before, I did not see any Firefox processes running in Windows Task Manager. But if Firefox processes were running, I did not recognize them.

Meanwhile, I await your reply. And thanks again for your help.

R. J.

P. S. What submarine did you serve on? What was your rank? Are you still in the Navy?

Go to Bookmarks>Organize Bookmarks
Import and Backup>Export HTML
Save to desktop or where ever.
Uninstall > Reboot
Install
Go to Bookmarks>Organize Bookmarks
Import and Backup>Import HTML From wherever you exported to.

[R. J.]

Hello RootbeaR,

Thank you for your reply, which you suggested that I:

<< Go to Bookmarks>Organize Bookmarks
Import and Backup>Export HTML
Save to desktop or where ever.
Uninstall > Reboot
Install
Go to Bookmarks>Organize Bookmarks
Import and Backup>Import HTML From wherever you exported to. >>

This should work when I'm running Firefox. But you seem to have missed an important detail with my problem when I said: "Firefox just would not open, even in Safe Mode. "

Now that you're aware of this detail, do you have another suggestion?

Thanks again for your reply.

I await to hear your or any further suggestions.

R. J.

[RootbeaR]

Sorry about that.
I must have been in a hurry and missed that.

If you go to firefox homepage and then go to support(link at top of page).

You will see under popular support articles "Exporting Bookmarks to an HTML File."

Click that and you will see "Moving your Firefox bookmarks and settings."

Next you will see a link for "Backing up your information."

If you click that it will give detailed info regarding finding the folder they are in and how to back them up.

I can't just give you a link as I am running Linux so it defaults to the page relating to Linux.

Hope that helps.

[R. J.]

Hello RootbeaR (and All),

An update.

I saved my bookmarks as per your instructions; thank you.

I was able to uninstall and install FF 3.0.6. When I tried to open it, I got these error messages that said FF crashed and I was offered to report the crash. I reported the crash to Mozilla, but I never heard from Mozilla, although I provided my e-mail address.

Today, I discovered the reason for the crashes. It seems I was somehow running FF under Windows 95 in "Compatibility Mode." I can't explain how this happened.

Anyhow, when I turned off "Compatibility Mode," FF still will not open. So I uninstalled it and downloaded and installed FF 3.0.7. Bottom line: It still won't open.

Interestingly, at Mozilla's FF Forum, this same problem was posted. It was suggested that Firewall instructions be changed to allow FF to load. I tried this with Norton Internet Security (I disabled FF settings at Internet Settings) but FF still won't open.

The last posting there was a desperate plea for help. I would like to think I am not desperate, but I am close to it.

RootbeaR, do you, or anyone else in the Techguy community, have a suggestion for me to open my favorite browser?

Thank you for your attention and assistance.

R. J.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by R. J.

Hello RootbeaR (and All),

An update.

I saved my bookmarks as per your instructions; thank you.

I was able to uninstall and install FF 3.0.6. When I tried to open it, I got these error messages that said FF crashed and I was offered to report the crash. I reported the crash to Mozilla, but I never heard from Mozilla, although I provided my e-mail address.

Today, I discovered the reason for the crashes. It seems I was somehow running FF under Windows 95 in "Compatibility Mode." I can't explain how this happened.

Anyhow, when I turned off "Compatibility Mode," FF still will not open. So I uninstalled it and downloaded and installed FF 3.0.7. Bottom line: It still won't open.

Interestingly, at Mozilla's FF Forum, this same problem was posted. It was suggested that Firewall instructions be changed to allow FF to load. I tried this with Norton Internet Security (I disabled FF settings at Internet Settings) but FF still won't open.

The last posting there was a desperate plea for help. I would like to think I am not desperate, but I am close to it.

RootbeaR, do you, or anyone else in the Techguy community, have a suggestion for me to open my favorite browser?

Thank you for your attention and assistance.

R. J.

I can make a suggestion, but it may take anothers input to implement.

In Linux, you can open a program using the shell. Doing it this way creates logs which can then be used to trouble shoot.

Can you open a program like that with MS using the "Run" command dialogue box?

[DvdB]

maybe there is something wrong with your profile. I only know one way of checking this and it's a little hack&slash, but it worked for me (under Linux that is, but I asume that Firefox for Windows works the same).

Locate your profile folder and make a backup. Be sure that you have a backup, for your profile folder is where every setting of your firefox is stored. You can find it (hidden) under Documents and Settings. As soon as you have a backup, rename your Mozilla folder ( I think its under Application Data or Local Folders, but i have now Windows system near to check). Whenever Firefox cannot find a profile, it will create a blank one. See if it starts now.

If not, just restore the folder name or the backup.

Good luck!