Trying To Reinstall Firefox After Lightning Storm

I'm running Windows 7/64 on a HP machine.

I tried uninstall/reinstall and then tried regedit and removed all references to Mozilla Firefox before attempting reinstall. No joy.

I've used FF for several years and had it tweaked to perfection. I prefer not to start afresh with a different unfamiliar browser. I'm using Opera to post this message.

A side point: I'm having to reenter my passwords and login credentials on each of the sites I had visited regularly previously, including MG.

TIA

Don

 

When you do a standard uninstall of Firefox all that is removed is the program itself. All the profile data remains - it is stored in a different location. When you reinstall the core program it will pick up any existing profile.
Using 'regedit' to remove anything to do with it is a dangerous and bad idea.

You should explain to us precisely why you were doing a reinstall. A lightening storm wouldn't be a reason to reinstall one software program.

 

Firefox also has a sync feature that syncs it's information across devices. I always use it. It syncs passwords and any other information and because of that, I don't need to reconstruct my bookmarks or re-enter passwords or settings for sites.

If I need to re-install any of my versions of Windows to either of my laptops or any of my USB HDDs or USB SSD, I re-install FF, sign into my FF acct and everything is instantly synced.

 

@MaxTurner,

I'm trying to get FF back to what it had been for many years. When I click the FF icon to launch it, it merely creates another search icon in the lower taskbar. Trying to maximize the search window creates another icon in the tray.

Firefox Support has a repair utility but I must be running FF to use the repair utility - Ketch 22! I'm temporarily running Opera. I can't launch FF!

Thanks,

Don

 

To see the properties of the launch exe file, go into c drive (or wherever you store programs) and to program files (x86) open it, look for firefox.exe and right click it there for 'properties'. (Unless you run a 64bit version of Fx it will NOT be in 'c/program files')
I can't remember Win 7 but you can't do that from 'start > all programs' or quick launch/task bar in Win8/10.

To be honest, everything depends on what you did with regedit. If you removed everything with regedit then unless you saved your profile data elsewhere, you wont get back to what it was before.

Maybe you should FIRST try and locate your physical Firefox Profile folder, to check it really is still there:
From Mozilla support:
Finding your profile without opening Firefox

1. Press https://support.cdn.mozilla.net/media/uploads/gallery/images/2011-09-20-08-33-13-ff63c4.jpg +R on the keyboard. A Run dialog will open.
2. Type in:
   %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
3. Click OK. A window will open containing profile folders.
4. Double-click the profile folder you wish to open. If you only have one profile, its folder would have "default" in the name.

Alternatively, you can find your profile by pressing the https://support.cdn.mozilla.net/media/uploads/gallery/images/2011-09-20-08-33-13-ff63c4.jpg key and then start typing: %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\

 

@Dr Moriarty,

Target path seems correct:

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

The plot congeals, Watson!

I still want to try installing with AV disabled. Probably after lunch.

 

That exact target path suggests that you have a 64bit version of Firefox, not one you would get from a standard download from https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
The correct target path for the standard version would be:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

Either way, you still need to check carefully whether you still have a full profile folder with your original data in it.

 

New target: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

Still no joy even after disable AV prior to installation.

 

I will assume that you did a standard uninstall, restarted your system, then downloaded a new set up file.
If you haven't been doing the above, that's how you should do it.
After you installed the new set up file, what exactly happened when you clicked finish and allowed it to launch?
You have to describe these things in detail or it is difficult to advise you further.

 

Max,

It said "Close the current Firefox session" (sic) but the tray FF icon (inadvertently created as stated above) refused to close. Color me perplexed. Install thinks FF is already running so the process was truncated.

I just ran a "chkdsk /f" and no system files are corrupted.

My computer came with Windows 7/64 preinstalled thus I don't have the disks or an image or I'd try reinstalling the OS.
Don

 

You can force closure in TASK MANAGER processes.
But if you did what I suggested - uninstall Firefox , RESTART your system, then install Firefox afresh you would not get such an error message.
You don't need to run Check Disk (which does not check system files) and you don't need to reinstall your OS.

 

I'm a Disabled American Veteran without use of L hand so 2-key combination are nearly impossible for me to execute. I am aware of MS "Sticky Keys" but I've never explored that feature (yet).

 

You only need one hand and a mouse.
You don't need to use any keyboard key combinations if you use a mouse with your right hand.

Uninstall Firefox in 'Programs and Features'
When that has completed:
Restart your system
Reinstall Firefox afresh

 

I did EXACTLY as you advised - initial problem still persists. Welcome to my conundrum.

 

I still don't know what the initial problem was. Without knowing what the precise problem was it's impossible to advise.
The error message "Close the current Firefox session" wont happen if you first check in Task Manager > processes that any firefox.exe instances are closed ('end task') before you launch it.

If this is happening with other software programs, then yes that may point to a system problem, but if it only affects Firefox then I doubt it.

But if you want to check the Operating System integrity then run:
sfc /scannow
See this guide, especially the latter part about how to create a text document to the desktop to see its results easily.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/929833 - see the instructions for Windows 7

 

Max,

This may define the initial problem better than my inept attempts.

Each time I click on the Firefox icon to launch a new internet session, it merely creates another impotent Search icon in the lower taskbar. Opening the newly created icons yields a search box that will not accept a search string (any text).

 

I suggest you first make a simple copy of your Firefox Profile folder and save it somewhere convenient putting it inside a folder without the name 'Mozilla' or 'Firefox' - call it something else.
Now do a complete clean uninstall of Firefox using a decent uninstaller such as Revo using its ADVANCED method
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/revo_uninstaller.html
When that has fully completed, RESTART your system.
Run CCleaner Slim > run the cleaner, then run 'Registry > Scan for issues > fix all issues - do that enough times until ZERO issues are found (retain back ups each time it asks)
Now check carefully inside 'Program Files (x86)' and 'Program Files' that there is NO folder for 'Mozilla' - if there is DELETE it. Do the same in the location for the Firefox profile folder in app data. If you did find items there, and deleted them, run CCleaner > Cleaner again to empty them.
Now download a new Fx set up file and install it afresh. Don't use one you already downloaded before - delete all of them at the very beginning.
It will come up with a new empty profile but after you can copy the old profile into the new 'default' one.

 

I think I followed your instructions, it's still generating useless icons it the lower taskbar, thus:

 

I can't read anything in the error message boxes in the 1st screenshot. The only way to get a screenshot of one window is to use the ctr+alt+prt scr command. Then if necessary crop them. I can think of nothing that can stop Revo uninstalling any program if all the permissions windows that may come up are agreed to with an 'ok' click.
If you think any security software you have may be blocking it, then they need to be fully disabled.
Without being able to read the error messages I can't say what they were. If you can crop your existing images, read the words and type them here, then that will work.

As an added thought, you might as well run CCleaner > Cleaner and CCleaner > Registry > scan for issues - and just see if anything comes up that still remains.

 

S-O-L-V-E-D-!

Apologies, Max, I committed a typo on your instructions. I booted in safe mode and discovered Firefox was calling the wrong home page. I corrected that and, wowsers, I'm back in bidness.

Thanks for your kind help.

Don

 

I'm so glad you got it sorted and you are welcome!
Max

 

Figured that out!

Alimentary, Watson!

Thanks, Dr.

 

Also, Shift+Ctrl+Escape

 

You didn't read the thread

 

Friends,

I can right click on a blank area of the lower taskbar to open Task Manager but it's intermittent. I may have to right click several times.

My computer became snail-slow so I ran House Call (free) and it found a Trojan and removed it but it's still-slug slow.

When watching a video on YouTube, it is very jumpy and pauses terribly. (NetFlix seems OK).

I got a flashing, brief message when House Call rebooted (part of the normal repair routine) that I have too many 16 bit processes in Startup. I haven't a clue which processes nor how 5o kill them. Help?

If I do a screen dump, can anyone tell me which processes to kill, please?

Don

 

Yes, I already understood from Imandy Mann's post. I posted without reading everything.
My mistake. I apologize.
Sorry Don

You can open Task Manager and select the Startup tab. A screen dump of that would be good.
You can also save a list of Startup items with CCleaner > Tools > Startup.
In the lower right corner, there is a button Save to text file....
It's not a very pretty list when saved, but at least you have it.

You can Disable startup items from the Startup tab in Task Manager.
You can also use Microsoft Autoruns. It's portable and does not need installation.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/microsoft_autoruns.html

Dealing with Startup Processes
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?threads/dealing-with-startup-processes.149804/

=

 

Here's the screen shots:

 

Dr. M,

Shift+PrtScr is impossible for me.

Another frustration!

Don

 

Dr M,

Here's the install.txt document.

I see many double and triple entries and boot time index is over 200 seconds.

Watching the screen during boot-up I see two separate attempts (calls) to load Windows. What .bat file runs at Startup or is it an .exe?

Thanks for throwing out a lifeline.

Don

 

Is it not possible for you to get someone you know to help you capture a focussed window screen shot? All they would need to do is the alt+prt scr key key combination. Cropping screenshots only needs one hand and a mouse. If people here can't read the start ups list, then they can't help you. It really is as simple as that.

 

Max,

In all honesty, no! These people are scary. After all, they are merely responsible for the lives of 100 "throw away parents". If this entire nursing staff were to move to Texas they would lower the per capita IQ of both States. Chortle.

 

Don,

There's a screenshot utility I use called Lightshot available here at MG's.

Download and install it. When you want a screenshot, press Prnt Scrn. The display will dim slightly. Use your mouse to select the area on the screen you want. Icons will show on the right and bottom of the selected area. On the bottom, second from the right, is an icon that looks like a 3.5" floppy. It's the Save icon. Click on it, give the file a name and click on save. It will place the screenshot in the Lightshot folder inside the Documents folder. Navigate to that folder when you want to upload a screenshot.

Simply upload the file and leave it as it is. The attachment(s) will be at the bottom of your reply and respondents can click on them to view full-sized screenshots that will be easier to see.

 

Got Lightshot installed/tested. Now right click on taskbar won't open Task Manager. This is ludicrous and heartbreaking.

 

Try again after a shutdown/restart, Don.

 

No joy!

 

So, does nothing at all show up or any type of context menu when you right click on a BLANK part of the task bar?

 

Nothing!

 

That isn't right. Maybe run sfc /scannow to check on system file integrity
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/929833

 

Just tried Opera and Chrome, no change.

 

I'm not seeing what that has to do with launching the OS Task Manager.

 

I eliminated the browser from the equation by first trying others.

sfc /scannow did not run. DOS screen does not appear. Screen flashed but does not start scan.

Windows 7/64 image is available from MS. Would that be overkill? The download takes several hours.

 

Did you try running it by right clicking the start 'windows' button then choosing 'command prompt[admin]'?
It must be that admin one to run sfc scannow

 

Right-click was becoming progressively intermittent - now don't work at all.

 

Since many things are now not working, using the Tweaking program may help:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_advanced_system_tweaker.html
Do read it very carefully doing all the steps it suggests, including emptying the system of all power, and going in to safe mode to use it.