Update your Flash Player v15.0.0.189 http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Shockwave Director v12.1.3.153 http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

FredMcD,

Thanks for your suggestions. I updated both apps and rebooted. No help.

James67

FredMcD,

Thanks for your suggestions. I updated both apps and rebooted. No help.

James67

Did you check the link I posted?

FredMcD, I did. Sorry I haven't replied. I've been through all that many times. The only thing that ever seems to work --- and only temporarily --- is a complete reset of Firefox (I'm now running 33.1) and even that didn't work this time. I've done virus and malware scans but nothing comes up. I'll try again after a reboot, but not tonight. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I'd hate to drop Firefox after all this time; I've used nothing but Mozilla stuff for over 20 years! But not being able to print receipts or even save pages is just not good enough anymore.

In case there is a persistent issue in Firefox's program folder that isn't properly cleared during reinstall, could you try this (it should not disturb your Firefox settings):

Clean Reinstall

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 33 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(2) Exit out of Firefox.

(3) Rename the program folder

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

You might need to exit and start again to test whether Firefox is now remembering preference changes.

Note: Some recently installed plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

• \OldFirefox\Plugins
• \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

Will Firefox print?

jscher2000, did what you suggested. Firefox still won't print or save a Web page.

FredMcD, I did shut down the computer overnight and booted up this morning, and the same problems existed.

Thanks to both. Any new ideas will be more than welcome, as will requests for more information.

Hi James67, what happens when you try to save a page? Also a beep at the point that you would expect Firefox to call the dialog allowing you to choose a location and name for the saved file?

Are you able to save downloads to the location of your choice, or does that also beep?

Does File > Open work or does that also beep?

Hi jscher2000. When I try to save a page absolutely nothing happens and there is no beep.

As for downloads, I no longer get a choice; everything goes directly to the My Documents/Downloads folder.

File/Open also no longer works. Didn't know that until just now. Just tried it offline, same thing. That's new. Things seem to be deteriorating...

It seems that Firefox is no longer able to command the presence of standard Windows dialogs on your system for some reason.

Is there anything special about how you start Firefox that might affects its access to the system, such as using "sandbox" software?

On newer versions of Windows, a standard suggestion would be to try SFC (the System File Checker) but I don't know whether it worked the same way on XP or whether you would have to come up with a Windows CD to use it. More info on SFC: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747. Since it might be hard to repair XP if SFC decides one of your files is corrupted and deletes, you might try a more Windows-oriented forum if you can't find a solution here.

Microsoft Fix it Solution Center: troubleshooting software issues

jscher2000,

Thanks for your help. I do nothing to start Firefox that's different. I use a Cricket 3G modem to connect and it launches Firefox and has done so successfully since June 2013. There's never been a problem until fairly recently . I don't know what "sandbox software" is. FWIW: I tried the Google Chrome browser and with it none of the problems I've encountered exist.

As you must know Microsoft no linger supports XP, so I expect no help there.

FredMcD, jscher2000'

Thank you for your help. I did try the Microsoft solution but it was useless; when I used the link jscher2000 provided the app actually locked up my system.

Anyway: Problem solved! All it took was running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. (I thought I'd already done that; guess not.)

It found many, many entries in the registry starting with "PUP.Optional", such as Conduit, SearchProtect.A, SaveSense. I don't know what any of them do but when they were quarantined Firefox can now print, save pages, etc.

I hope this helps the next time some dummy like me has similar problems.

To all:

I spoke too soon. It's obvious that malware is responsible. The problem is that the attacks are incredibly relentless.

FYI: I've experienced dozens of malware attacks since my last post --- some from Mozilla's attempt to force the Trovi search engine upon me!!! I don't know why this happens and I don't appreciate it. Until a few months ago I never had the problems I now have. Despite upgrading Malwarebytes to a paid version and setting Avast to block malware these viruses --- and that's what they are --- continue to infect my computer and degrade my online experience.

My only recourse is Google Chrome, which seems to be immune from such attacks --- so far. Given the almost incestuous relationship among online services --- for example the way Huffington Post requires Facebook membership and the Google/YouTube clusterf**k --- for all I know this is deliberate.

All I know is that Firefox is failing me and no one can explain why.

Unfortunately, no single cleaning tool is a cure-all. Here is my standard approach for malware cleanup which hopefully will help:

(1) Start with the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(2) Then, in Firefox, open the Add-ons page using either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

(3) Search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

Jscher2000,

Thanks for your patient attempts to help. I'll copy this page with your suggestions and refer to them. An hour ago that wasn't possible; at this moment it seems to be. I don't understand.

I checked your link. It's good advice but I've done all that. It bothers me that "coincidentally" with my problem Firefox responds to a new tab with the Trovi search engine browser --- which shows up in Malwarebytes as another PUP.optional virus!

It's very disturbing that a browser that I've relied upon exclusively and trusted since the days of Netscape, more than 20 years ago, is now untrustworthy and unreliable.