Firefox: Unable to Save As... Solved

Question

Hello, While surfing with Firefox 1.5.0.6, I came across a video that I wanted to watch. It downloaded and opened in the Windows Media Player (version 10). Then I stopped the video playback and closed the application with the cross in the top right corner. My computer crashed and restarted (personal settings that cause a restart instead of displaying the blue screen) Since then, whenever I try to save an image from the web while browsing with Firefox, I can't save it... The dialog box asking where I want to save it opens, but the save button doesn't initiate any process. There's no display like before of the download panel which, if I open it, shows no actions: it remains empty. ! Thanks to anyone who has an idea how to fix this.

d-Aprilli · Accepted Answer

I've got it! While visiting about ten forums on the subject, I came across someone who had the same problem! The solution if Firefox refuses to save: 1. Close Firefox 2. Go to the folder on the C:\Documents and Settings 3. follow the path => Application Data => Mozilla => Firefox => Profiles => "randomName.default" (example: 9d2nsf9d5.default) and DELETE "downloads.rdf" 4. restart Firefox and this file will be recreated by itself => saving works correctly again!  Had to know that! And now the problem is solved!

Fada09 · Answer

Hi,  It's strange your problem.  Just in case, have you tried reinstalling Firefox (without necessarily uninstalling it first)?  http://www.mozilla-europe.org to download it  Keep us posted  -- ;-) ~ ~ Fada ~ ~ : Member of #Star!alco

Fada09 · Answer

Have you tried reinstalling Firefox after properly uninstalling it beforehand (since it doesn’t work without uninstalling)? Be sure to save your bookmarks before uninstalling.  I'm reminded of a couple of things to check before uninstalling: - Have you tried in safe mode? (you have a shortcut in the start menu) - Is the directory where Firefox downloads files set to read-only? Try a different directory. (it would be strange; normally it would tell you) - You can also try going to Tools/options/downloads and set the folder where files are downloaded. It’s quite handy (I find) and might (who knows :-) ) unlock it  Do you have this problem only with images or also with other types of downloads? Do you have this problem on a specific site?   If nothing works, I think you’re headed for a reinstallation as I mentioned at the beginning of the message :-(  Good luck and keep me posted ++ -- ;-) ~ ~ Fada ~ ~ : Member of #Star!alco

Fada09 · Answer

cool that you found it!  have a good end of the day and thank you for your feedback :-)  ++  -- ;-) ~ ~ Fada ~ ~ : Member of #Star!alco

steveosteen · Answer

I encountered exactly the same problem, I'm about to restart Firefox. Thanks for the message, it helps!

ABasSarko · Answer

Thanks for the tip!! I had been experiencing erratic backup issues with Firefox for weeks. Nice to see that it’s working again. A big thank you. Alain

Stan · Answer

Thank you, I had a similar problem, unable to download using save as. Now it works perfectly.

loxsoal · Answer

Thank you, I am from Dakar and I encountered the same problem, thank you for the information.

Shin · Answer

Excuse me, I also have the same problem. I started in safe mode, I uninstalled it and reinstalled it again, but I can't find the default and download files!!!!! I have Windows Vista and Mozilla Firefox 2.0   I would like a quick response please, it's really an annoying problem!!!   Thank you in advance ^__^

Shin · Answer

Hi!!!  I have exactly the same problem, I started Mozilla in safe mode, uninstalled it, and then reinstalled it, but I can't find the default and download file to delete!!  I have Windows Vista and Mozilla Firefox 2.0.4  I need help!!!!  It's a very annoying problem!!  Thanks in advance ^__^

d-Aprilli · Answer

Shin, Unfortunately, I don't have Vista and don't plan to install it anytime soon. So I don't know where the Firefox directory is hidden like it is under Documents & Settings in XP. But Vista must have a search system, right?! All you need to do is launch a search like *.default and if there are multiple results, choose the one that is in the hierarchy indicating Firefox. Then, simply delete the downloads.rdf file (note it's not RTF!) located there so that Firefox can recreate it on the next startup. Be careful, you must close Firefox in order to delete it. Normally this should work for all versions of Firefox because I find it hard to believe this type of function would be programmed specifically for each OS. There may be some minor variations, but since Firefox existed before Vista and runs without modification after... Good luck. Rémy

gus · Answer

I also had the same problem as you... despite the successive uninstalls, it still didn't work. And then I tried your trick... oh miracle everything returned to how it was before... A BIG THANK YOU!!

Julie · Answer

I couldn't find my Application Data folder in Documents & Settings... so I couldn't see the Mozilla folder and everything else... don't forget to make sure to show hidden files/folders in Windows. I even found bookmarks that I thought I had lost! What a silly thing to do!

langrune · Answer

Hello, same here, it's been weeks! thank you so much

Floup · Answer

Thank you very much for your tip, I was starting to panic at the thought of using IE7 to "save as"!

PalpaT · Answer

Hey!  I had the same problem with Firefox 2.0.0.x after a crash...  I did try uninstalling and reinstalling, but it didn’t work,  I ended up having to use Internet Explorer to save files... so embarrassing... ^^     A huge thank you for posting the solution! ;)

Salenmystic · Answer

So I tried this technique and it didn't work. Moreover, I have the same problem on IE... I've been searching for 2 months and I can't seem to figure it out. I'm forced to bookmark the images. It's very annoying... Do you have the solution? Please.

fuzz · Answer

Hi, it's only been bothering me since last night, I will try to install version 2.0, because I couldn't find the specified file for the "download" in the Mozilla folders.

fuzz · Answer

The installation of version 2.0 still has this damn problem, and I can't find the file "downloads.rdf." I have  -locastore.rdf -search.rdf -mimeType.rdf  if someone could tell me how to solve the problem?

fuzz · Answer

A method, create a new user profile, explanations here https://forum.zebulon.fr/topic/132738-r%C3%A9soluprobl%C3%A8me-fentre-t%C3%A9l%C3%A9chargement-mozilla/

Bob · Answer

Hi
Thanks for the tip.
Same problem after a brief power cut just before hearing the thunder.
I managed to delete the file without closing FF and now it's working. The file has been recreated and I'm saving without any issues.

gina · Answer

Thank you very much for the advice. I had the same issue and I didn't understand what had happened. And Julie is right, remember to show hidden files, otherwise I wouldn't have found the Application Data folder.
Everything is working much better now, thanks again :p)

Az · Answer

Help !
I have the same problem and it's driving me crazy!
I've followed the steps but I don't have a downloads folder. I'm on Vista, the latest version of Firefox, and I've made sure to display hidden folders. Even searching on the computer, I can't find that file.

What should I do?

Thanks!

erictomcat · Answer

same problem and unable to find the file download.rdf. However, I had GetRight when the problem occurred. Since then, I have uninstalled it but no better results.

erictomcat · Answer

I did a search on the name, I found one that I deleted but it didn't change anything, still impossible to save... going back to IE after so many years, crap, but I guess I'll have to :(

csakebon · Answer

And what do you do when you have a Mac? :(

StarsMoon · Answer

In C:\Documents and Settings\XXX\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxxx.default\, edit the prefs.js file with Notepad. In the following lines, set the drive to C:  Like this: user_pref("browser.cache.disk.parent_directory", "C:"); user_pref("browser.download.dir", "C:"); user_pref("browser.download.lastDir", "C:");  and everything should work again!

StarsMoon · Answer

it is not necessary to modify the following line:  user_pref("browser.cache.disk.parent_directory", "C:");

fabridum · Answer

exactly the same problem as you

just change your default homepage (oh yes!)
https://start.mozilla.org/fr/
for another one like, for example: https://www.google.fr/?gws_rd=ssl you'll see that the problem will be solved! ;)

erictomcat · Answer

Edit the prefs.js file with Notepad.
In the following lines, set the C: drive

Like this:
user_pref("browser.cache.disk.parent_directory", "C:");
user_pref("browser.download.dir", "C:");
user_pref("browser.download.lastDir", "C:");

I couldn't find the prefs.js file in the same location, but after the modification, it works again. Thank you.

However, changing the homepage was useless.

grandjo · Answer

I can't save music on the computer   help, thank you in advance grandjo

Léonard · Answer

Hello,
Same problem under Ffx 3.0.3 / XP2

My solution: change the download folder to a valid path ->
Tools » Options... » General tab: Downloads frame

(Actually, I was saving to a removable drive. After removing it, Ffx could no longer find the target directory :()

ray · Answer

I have the same problem.

nicolsman · Answer

I have the same problem.

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