Bookmarking issue after version change
Thie_08
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pistouri Posted messages 19008 Registration date Status Contributeur Last intervention -
pistouri Posted messages 19008 Registration date Status Contributeur Last intervention -
Hello everyone,
I am currently experiencing an issue related to bookmarks and the history of Firefox (version 38.0.5, which is quite an old version that I would like to keep).
Let me explain: as a musician, I have installed numerous composition freewares over time. Recently, I decided to do some cleaning, but way too quickly: I confused IDT Audio with an unused software and deleted it right away; as a result: speaker problems, etc. To recover it, I performed a restoration as indicated here:
https://answers.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/forum/windows_7-pictures/idt-audio-supprim%C3%A9/8a44316a-adff-4096-9de9-a105b1603f5a
This is where my problem began: after this restoration (which resolved my issue with IDT Audio), Firefox displayed "Couldn't load XPCOM." It was impossible to start it, even in safe mode, to change the Firefox account, etc. I eventually managed, after a few detours, to "Reset Firefox" (as explained here: https://forum.malekal.com/viewtopic.php?t=49675%29%2C, which automatically created a backup folder containing among other things the data concerning bookmarks) and the history (respectively "bookmarkbackups" and "places.sqlite," if I understood correctly).
After that, everything worked again, with one detail missing: the software was in English. So I installed the corresponding French language pack for my version (following the instructions: https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/utiliser-firefox-dans-autre-langue?redirectlocale=fr&redirectslug=utiliser-interface-firefox-autres-langues#w_comment-changer-la-langue-de-linterface-utilisateur; so apparently, no false manipulation on that side). Once switched to French, it was impossible:
1) To create a bookmark or to restore from backups.
2) To make the history work: I navigated on numerous sites today; none were retained, while no preference (like "do not keep history") is selected. I use both of these tools a lot, so I’m quite troubled.
However:
1) It still seems possible to create a bookmark; and moreover: the already visited sites are displayed in a darker color as usual. I deduce that Firefox has the necessary data for establishing bookmarks or a history (previously visited sites, etc.); in other words, they would be present but perhaps not accessible? Copying the "places.sqlite" and "bookmarkbackups" files into the Firefox folder does not solve the problem.
2) If I create a new Firefox account (which is automatically in English), I can restore my bookmarks from the backups; everything works correctly. But once the French language pack is installed, the restored bookmarks disappear, and it is impossible to restore them a second time.
It seems that this language pack is causing the issue, but I don't see how to remedy it: is there a way to combine French with normal functionality of history and bookmarks without changing the version of Firefox? A way to import my bookmarks into the French version?
I have also visited some forums and the Firefox support page (notably regarding bookmarks: https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/impossible-ajouter-changer-enregistrer-marque-pages) but found no solution there.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Best regards
I am currently experiencing an issue related to bookmarks and the history of Firefox (version 38.0.5, which is quite an old version that I would like to keep).
Let me explain: as a musician, I have installed numerous composition freewares over time. Recently, I decided to do some cleaning, but way too quickly: I confused IDT Audio with an unused software and deleted it right away; as a result: speaker problems, etc. To recover it, I performed a restoration as indicated here:
https://answers.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/forum/windows_7-pictures/idt-audio-supprim%C3%A9/8a44316a-adff-4096-9de9-a105b1603f5a
This is where my problem began: after this restoration (which resolved my issue with IDT Audio), Firefox displayed "Couldn't load XPCOM." It was impossible to start it, even in safe mode, to change the Firefox account, etc. I eventually managed, after a few detours, to "Reset Firefox" (as explained here: https://forum.malekal.com/viewtopic.php?t=49675%29%2C, which automatically created a backup folder containing among other things the data concerning bookmarks) and the history (respectively "bookmarkbackups" and "places.sqlite," if I understood correctly).
After that, everything worked again, with one detail missing: the software was in English. So I installed the corresponding French language pack for my version (following the instructions: https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/utiliser-firefox-dans-autre-langue?redirectlocale=fr&redirectslug=utiliser-interface-firefox-autres-langues#w_comment-changer-la-langue-de-linterface-utilisateur; so apparently, no false manipulation on that side). Once switched to French, it was impossible:
1) To create a bookmark or to restore from backups.
2) To make the history work: I navigated on numerous sites today; none were retained, while no preference (like "do not keep history") is selected. I use both of these tools a lot, so I’m quite troubled.
However:
1) It still seems possible to create a bookmark; and moreover: the already visited sites are displayed in a darker color as usual. I deduce that Firefox has the necessary data for establishing bookmarks or a history (previously visited sites, etc.); in other words, they would be present but perhaps not accessible? Copying the "places.sqlite" and "bookmarkbackups" files into the Firefox folder does not solve the problem.
2) If I create a new Firefox account (which is automatically in English), I can restore my bookmarks from the backups; everything works correctly. But once the French language pack is installed, the restored bookmarks disappear, and it is impossible to restore them a second time.
It seems that this language pack is causing the issue, but I don't see how to remedy it: is there a way to combine French with normal functionality of history and bookmarks without changing the version of Firefox? A way to import my bookmarks into the French version?
I have also visited some forums and the Firefox support page (notably regarding bookmarks: https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/impossible-ajouter-changer-enregistrer-marque-pages) but found no solution there.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Best regards
8 réponses
Hello,
In doing the manipulation (which I haven't read), did you touch the cookies/data stored on your computer?
Did you reset the Firefox settings regarding cookies/bookmarks...?
For me, the problem comes from the fact that it cannot "write" the data.
If the problem doesn't get resolved, reinstall Firefox (backing up your bookmarks) and reinsert them into a brand new Firefox.
In doing the manipulation (which I haven't read), did you touch the cookies/data stored on your computer?
Did you reset the Firefox settings regarding cookies/bookmarks...?
For me, the problem comes from the fact that it cannot "write" the data.
If the problem doesn't get resolved, reinstall Firefox (backing up your bookmarks) and reinsert them into a brand new Firefox.
Hello,
Thank you for your response.
No, I haven't touched the settings regarding cookies/bookmarks, and I checked again that nothing was reset to default when installing Firefox.
As for "touching" the data, I tried copying the "places.sqlite" file from my backup directly into the Firefox folder (Program Files); without any results. The same when copying it into the user folder (I also tried copying it into a new account, but that didn't work either).
I reinstalled the software again (once in the control panel > uninstall a program; then seeing that it didn't work, a second time using the Firefox uninstaller tool). It did keep the French extension, I didn't have to reinstall it, but the problem still persists.
And yet, all of this still seems to be recorded somewhere, since when I open the "restore bookmarks" tab in a session with the "default" account, Firefox offers me several dates (and not just "choose a file" as is the case when creating an account).
Best regards,
Thank you for your response.
No, I haven't touched the settings regarding cookies/bookmarks, and I checked again that nothing was reset to default when installing Firefox.
As for "touching" the data, I tried copying the "places.sqlite" file from my backup directly into the Firefox folder (Program Files); without any results. The same when copying it into the user folder (I also tried copying it into a new account, but that didn't work either).
I reinstalled the software again (once in the control panel > uninstall a program; then seeing that it didn't work, a second time using the Firefox uninstaller tool). It did keep the French extension, I didn't have to reinstall it, but the problem still persists.
And yet, all of this still seems to be recorded somewhere, since when I open the "restore bookmarks" tab in a session with the "default" account, Firefox offers me several dates (and not just "choose a file" as is the case when creating an account).
Best regards,
I'm terribly sorry... but I checked online and the bookmarks are saved in JSON format (I tested it).
https://www.baudelet.net/firefox/favoris-firefox.htm
The folder "bookmarkbackups" should be copied here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Your_User\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xjyn6e2d.default\bookmarkbackups\ on Windows XP.
C:\Users\Your_User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\sryws2bg.default\bookmarkbackups\ on Windows Vista.
C:\Users\Your_User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\c1e4afrh.default\bookmarkbackups\ on Windows 7.
https://www.baudelet.net/firefox/favoris-firefox.htm
The folder "bookmarkbackups" should be copied here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Your_User\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xjyn6e2d.default\bookmarkbackups\ on Windows XP.
C:\Users\Your_User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\sryws2bg.default\bookmarkbackups\ on Windows Vista.
C:\Users\Your_User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\c1e4afrh.default\bookmarkbackups\ on Windows 7.
Thank you for these suggestions.
I have already gone through this, and I also copied the "bookmarkbackups" folder to the indicated location. By the way, the folder wasn't empty, so to speak, I copied more as a matter of conscience (in case the files were corrupted or something like that).
So I think, as you suggest, that the issue comes from the fact that Firefox cannot "write" the data; perhaps when switching from one version to another, the software can no longer "synchronize" the new and old files, cannot find the right location...?
In the meantime, I also restarted Firefox in safe mode (meaning all the extensions were disabled) without any better results: so it’s not the French language extension that is causing the problem as I initially thought.
I also want to clarify, having foolishly forgotten to do so, that I am on Windows 8.
Kind regards,
I have already gone through this, and I also copied the "bookmarkbackups" folder to the indicated location. By the way, the folder wasn't empty, so to speak, I copied more as a matter of conscience (in case the files were corrupted or something like that).
So I think, as you suggest, that the issue comes from the fact that Firefox cannot "write" the data; perhaps when switching from one version to another, the software can no longer "synchronize" the new and old files, cannot find the right location...?
In the meantime, I also restarted Firefox in safe mode (meaning all the extensions were disabled) without any better results: so it’s not the French language extension that is causing the problem as I initially thought.
I also want to clarify, having foolishly forgotten to do so, that I am on Windows 8.
Kind regards,
I opened this with https://sqliteonline.com/, the file is not empty and I can see a list of bookmarks, but as for whether it is indeed a database... That goes beyond my basic computer skills.
pistouri
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Hello,
What you could do:
Step 1
Backup your bookmarks
What you can do from this account or this new profile, you didn't specify, is to back up your bookmarks since they are available in HTML file format
Export bookmarks from Firefox to an HTML file here
As a precaution, keep them on a USB key for example
Step 2
Uninstall Firefox
Use Revo
During uninstallation, select complete scan and check all boxes and delete everything
You will have one file or folder left to delete
For that, you need to display hidden folders and files like this
Go to local disk C → Program files (x86)
Delete → Mozilla → Mozilla Service
Check and delete the Mozilla directories if you see them:
C:\users\your username\AppData\Roaming→ Mozilla
C:\users\your username\AppData\Local →Mozilla
C:\Programs → Mozilla
Hide again the hidden folders and files
Perform a disk cleanup in Windows
Restart your PC
Step 3
Reinstall Firefox that you can download or save right now here
Place it on the Desktop for convenience
Later, import your bookmarks with the HTML file
Import bookmarks from Firefox to an HTML file to save them here
A+
--
pistouri
2) If I create a new Firefox account (which is automatically in English), I can restore my bookmarks from the backups; everything works correctly. But once the French language pack is installed, the restored bookmarks have disappeared, and I can't restore them a second time.
What you could do:
Step 1
Backup your bookmarks
What you can do from this account or this new profile, you didn't specify, is to back up your bookmarks since they are available in HTML file format
Export bookmarks from Firefox to an HTML file here
As a precaution, keep them on a USB key for example
Step 2
Uninstall Firefox
Use Revo
During uninstallation, select complete scan and check all boxes and delete everything
You will have one file or folder left to delete
For that, you need to display hidden folders and files like this
Go to local disk C → Program files (x86)
Delete → Mozilla → Mozilla Service
Check and delete the Mozilla directories if you see them:
C:\users\your username\AppData\Roaming→ Mozilla
C:\users\your username\AppData\Local →Mozilla
C:\Programs → Mozilla
Hide again the hidden folders and files
Perform a disk cleanup in Windows
Restart your PC
Step 3
Reinstall Firefox that you can download or save right now here
Place it on the Desktop for convenience
Later, import your bookmarks with the HTML file
Import bookmarks from Firefox to an HTML file to save them here
A+
--
pistouri
Thank you for your response,
I installed the "places maintenance" module that is designed to locate errors in the places.sqlite file; apparently, the file is corrupted (even though some sites seem to have been cached). I am now exploring this avenue; the solution you suggested would probably work, but since I'm at it, I will also try to save my history, if possible, so let's see if we can repair the file (since copying a corrupted file into a reinstalled Firefox would surely be useless).
I installed the "places maintenance" module that is designed to locate errors in the places.sqlite file; apparently, the file is corrupted (even though some sites seem to have been cached). I am now exploring this avenue; the solution you suggested would probably work, but since I'm at it, I will also try to save my history, if possible, so let's see if we can repair the file (since copying a corrupted file into a reinstalled Firefox would surely be useless).
pistouri
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Hello,
Why are you still using this version of Firefox 38.0.5 from June 2015?
You could try this procedure with your old version to switch it back to French and test if it’s
operational.
Explanation:
After version 58, you just need to install the “French Language Pack” add-on and activate it.
That's what you did.
The problem is that you have an old version of Firefox.
You could uninstall the “French Language Pack” extension.
In the Firefox configuration editor, modify the string and change the setting to fr-FR
general.useragent.locale
Copy/paste fr-FR as it is important (case sensitivity).
Search for the string:
general.useragent.locale and change the setting to fr-FR then click OK.
(if the string does not exist, create it by right-clicking in the window)
Source here
This is the link you're talking about here
This is to eliminate the possibility of the “French Language Pack” extension.
So just do the manual configuration and then test Firefox's behavior.
Cheers
--
pistouri
Why are you still using this version of Firefox 38.0.5 from June 2015?
You could try this procedure with your old version to switch it back to French and test if it’s
operational.
Explanation:
After version 58, you just need to install the “French Language Pack” add-on and activate it.
That's what you did.
The problem is that you have an old version of Firefox.
You could uninstall the “French Language Pack” extension.
In the Firefox configuration editor, modify the string and change the setting to fr-FR
general.useragent.locale
Copy/paste fr-FR as it is important (case sensitivity).
Search for the string:
general.useragent.locale and change the setting to fr-FR then click OK.
(if the string does not exist, create it by right-clicking in the window)
Source here
This is the link you're talking about here
This is to eliminate the possibility of the “French Language Pack” extension.
So just do the manual configuration and then test Firefox's behavior.
Cheers
--
pistouri
This manipulation alone does not allow either to restore bookmarks or, more surprisingly, to set Firefox to French without activating the module additionally (I don't think I've made a mistake).
Moreover, rather than creating yet another new account, I tried to import my bookmarks on another computer, and Firefox reacted normally. I then replaced the places.sqlite file on that computer with the one from my backup, and that’s when it stopped working, so it’s probably this file that’s causing the problem.
As a last resort, I can always recreate one by renaming the corrupted file, but that would force me to give up my history, so I'm still looking (I'm exploring these leads: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
Moreover, rather than creating yet another new account, I tried to import my bookmarks on another computer, and Firefox reacted normally. I then replaced the places.sqlite file on that computer with the one from my backup, and that’s when it stopped working, so it’s probably this file that’s causing the problem.
As a last resort, I can always recreate one by renaming the corrupted file, but that would force me to give up my history, so I'm still looking (I'm exploring these leads: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
pistouri
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Another solution would be to reinstall Firefox 38.0.5 over
Basically, you overwrite your version
A download link in French is provided in the Firefox index here
direct link:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/38.0.5/win32/fr/Firefox%20Setup%2038.0.5.exe
A+
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pistouri
Basically, you overwrite your version
A download link in French is provided in the Firefox index here
direct link:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/38.0.5/win32/fr/Firefox%20Setup%2038.0.5.exe
A+
--
pistouri
pistouri
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You can try to recover all Firefox settings with the folder → Old Firefox Data
Explanation:
First, you need to show hidden files and folders
See here
Then go to:
C:\Users\Username\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\profiles
Copy the contents of the "Old Firefox Data" folder
There is a file → profiles.ini
Open it (with Notepad)
Change the Path so it takes your new profile
Source here
Example
You delete everything after the line → Path=Profiles/
Instead, you write the name of the folder with your old data.
See you
--
pistouri
Explanation:
First, you need to show hidden files and folders
See here
Then go to:
C:\Users\Username\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\profiles
Copy the contents of the "Old Firefox Data" folder
There is a file → profiles.ini
Open it (with Notepad)
Change the Path so it takes your new profile
Source here
Example
You delete everything after the line → Path=Profiles/
Instead, you write the name of the folder with your old data.
See you
--
pistouri