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Can't close Firefox after eradicating Fake.Trojan virus

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  • 3 have this problem
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  • Last reply by thegoodpup

thegoodpup
thegoodpup
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Got infected with Fake.Trojan virus today while surfing email via Firefox. Successfully used Malwarebytes to clean up the mess but some carnage remains. On a WIn7 platform.

During infection and since eradication I keep getting this message, "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system."

Tried the following to no avail --

1. Task Manager - The Firefox process doesn't show up.

2. Restarting the PC - Same problem;

3. Uninstalling & Reinstalling - Same problem; says it need to close first.

4. Finding/fixing the Profile - %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ not found.

5. Call to tech support at AVG - They've never seen this. They recommend a full reinstall of Windows (Ugh - don't even know where the disks are!).

Any help welcome. Thanks. -j philly

Got infected with Fake.Trojan virus today while surfing email via Firefox. Successfully used Malwarebytes to clean up the mess but some carnage remains. On a WIn7 platform. During infection and since eradication I keep getting this message, "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system." Tried the following to no avail -- 1. Task Manager - The Firefox process doesn't show up. 2. Restarting the PC - Same problem; 3. Uninstalling & Reinstalling - Same problem; says it need to close first. 4. Finding/fixing the Profile - %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ not found. 5. Call to tech support at AVG - They've never seen this. They recommend a full reinstall of Windows (Ugh - don't even know where the disks are!). Any help welcome. Thanks. -j philly

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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There are some files in your Firefox settings folder which can show your profile as being in use. Could you check out the additional steps in this article: "Firefox is already running but is not responding" error - How to fix.

thegoodpup
thegoodpup Question owner
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Thank you for the tip. I had already tried your suggestion but based on it decided to take a closer look. I also did a YouTube lookup using IE.

But my first stop was to run that lengthy ChkDsk program to make sure all was structurally sound after the virus. I also bought the Pro version of Malwarebytes to take security even higher.

I went to YouTube because I was having a hard time finding that profile folder the solution you gave me referenced. Answer that worked for me: Don't use the Start button to find your Profile, use your desktop explorer starting with your Users directory and drill down from there. Learned that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUgxlo4U4w&feature=related (Note: The speaker and video quality isn't great but his intent is good and his message had enough helpful content to get me started. Ohers may feel the same way.)

Within the comments section replying to the above-referenced YouTube video, I then found one person who wrote this --

"If your Firefox locks up with this error as the result of a "virus" which also happened to hide all your files and desktop icons, then none of these crap Windows XP 'fixes'on YOUTUBE will work.

In 2012, you will need to install Google Chrome, make it your default browser/import bookmarks etc. Then run Firefox while Chrome is open, and Firefox will suddenly be unlocked! 8-) Amazing!!! Then just disarm Google Chrome and uninstall it, and you will have your Firefox back."

His message wasn't so kind, but I did try his solution and it worked! All appears better.

Thank you again to the community for assistance today and to jscher2000 in particular for taking the time. - j philly