Hi Michael, could you describe the sequence of events leading up to this problem? Firefox's automatic updates usually go smoothly, but sometimes you get an incorrect message that you are actually downgrading. At least, I assume that was incorrect.

As a first step, could you use the built-in updater to check that Firefox is up-to-date: Update Firefox to the latest release.

Next, could you do a regular system restart of MacOS. The reason is to release any file locks that may prevent Firefox from loading files normally. Then try the steps in the first section of the following article and let me know what happens when you try to load other profiles: Recover lost or missing Bookmarks.

I notice in your other thread you said that you can't add any new bookmarks. If restarting doesn't resolve that and you have history you want to save, try this:

Open Firefox's Troubleshooting Information page using any of these methods:

• "3-bar" menu button > Help > More Troubleshooting Information
• (menu bar) Help > More Troubleshooting Information
• type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter/Return

Near the bottom, there is a section titled Places Database -- that's the file which stores history and bookmarks. Click the button labeled Verify Integrity. There may be a 10-15 second delay before results appear.

If all is well, the report that appears below the button should start with:

> Task: checkIntegrity
+ The places.sqlite database is sane
+ The favicons.sqlite database is sane
> Task: invalidateCaches
+ The caches have been invalidated
> Task: checkCoherence
+ The database is coherent

Does yours say that, or something else? You can select and copy the report, and then paste it into a reply for review and comment.

Note: if you do not have history you want to save, see: Fix "The bookmarks and history system will not be functional" error message.

Thanks jscher2000!

I managed to SOMEHOW get things back together (lol). I probably wasn't 'by the book' but I'm back in business, though without all of my bookmarks. But I'm good enough. I'm going to get a good nights sleep and dig into your suggestions tomorrow.

BTW, I was mirroring my mac into my tv for the first time and when I went to make a youtube video full screen on the mac something happened (and I don't have a clue as to what happened) but Firefox quit and came back as a new browser. It DID give me a warning of sorts about 'restoring' and I thought it was just my last session, but UGH, it was FIREFOX itself! I should have read the damn warning! Thanks for your help. (I'm 72 and this gets harder each time something like this happens! LOL)

Do think it mentioned Refreshing rather than restoring? That would create an "Old Firefox Data" folder on your Mac desktop. If you find that folder, it probably has your latest data.