Browsers: READ ME: Browser Tips and Tricks...

Repairing Firefox...

by John.Wilkinson  - 2/12/09 12:58 PM

In reply to: READ ME: Browser Tips and Tricks... by John.Wilkinson 

NOTE: These instructions are designed for those running Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, so there may be a few discrepancies if you are running another operating system. Please take this into account.

Closing Firefox:
* Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or ctrl + alt + delete) to view Windows's Task Manager.
* On the "applications" tab, make sure Mozilla Firefox isn't open. (Note: The name of the website will precede "Mozilla Firefox.")
* If you find any instances open, right-click it and select "end task."
* Click on the "processes" tab and look for "firefox.exe."
* If it is present, right-click it and select "end process." It will pop up with a notice/warning...click "yes."
* Click the "X" to close Windows Task Manager.
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Uninstalling Firefox:
* Go start->control panel->add/remove programs.
* Select Firefox, and remove/uninstall it.
* Click the "X" to exit add/remove programs.
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Removing the Remnents of Firefox:
* Double-click "My Computer" and go to "C:\Program Files". From there, delete the Firefox (or "Mozilla") folder.
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Firefox Profile folder:
* The location of this folder varies based on your operating system.
* Note that "username" is your Windows username.
* Note that "random characters" is actually a series of random characters.
* The Application Data/AppData folder is hidden by default. To view it, you must go Tools->Folder Options, select the View tab, and select "show hidden files and folders" before proceeding. (Vista users can press the Alt key to temporarily display the File menu.)

Windows Vista/7:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\random characters.default

Windows 2000/XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\random characters.default

Windows 95/98:
C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\random characters.default

Linux:
~/.mozilla/firefox/random characters.default

Mac OS X:
~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/random characters.default
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Backing up your bookmarks/favorites:
* Go to your Firefox Profile folder.
* Right-click bookmarks.html (displayed as just "bookmarks") and select "copy."
* Go to your desktop, right-click it, and select "paste."
* Repeat for "bookmarks.bak".
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Deleting your old profile:
* Go back to your Firefox Profile folder.
* Delete the folder "random characters.default".
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Reinstalling Firefox:
* Launch the Firefox installer and proceed to install the latest version of Firefox.
* A new profile folder will be automatically created for you. (It will be a different series of random characters.)
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Restoring your favorites/bookmarks:
* Go to Firefox Profile folder and open the new folder.
* Delete the bookmarks.html and bookmarks.bak files you find there. (**Make sure Firefox is not running at this point.**)
* Copy and paste the old bookmarks.html and bookmarks.bak files from your desktop into that folder.
* The default favorites have now been deleted.
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Verification:
* Launch Firefox.
* Verify that your bookmarks are in tact.
* Verify that there is no lingering corruption.
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Finishing Touches:
* Redownload the desired themes/extensions again, one at a time.
* After installing one, close and relaunch Firefox to make sure it is not responsible for corruption. If everything's OK, continue on.
* Modify your settings (tools->options) any way you like to customize your browsing experience.

John