Recent answers to Everytime I restart my computer, instead of having Google as my homepage it always switches to Startpage by Ixquick.https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/9528102013-03-11T16:44:12-07:00Hi, Zushikikato ! Yes, this problem is quite frustrating, unfortunately. As we speak, this is m2013-03-11T16:44:12-07:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810?page=2#answer-416409<p>Hi, Zushikikato&nbsp;! Yes, this problem is quite frustrating, unfortunately. As we speak, this is my second day without any FF 19 issues. My Google opens up perfectly as well as other personal preferences that I've set up. In your place I would definitely check out this link: <a href="https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware#w_how-do-i-get-rid-of-malware" rel="nofollow">https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware#w_how-do-i-get-rid-of-malware</a>
Here you have the list of 5 different anti malware softwares. They are very easy to install and use. Use all 5 of them and only that way you'll be certain that you got rid of all pests, trojans, etc. It worked for me, at least I'd like to think so. Because after this anti malware "treatment", everything was working perfectly. During the process you will have to do few computer restarts. Good luck, keep in touch&nbsp;!
</p>This is happening to me as well. Like Right Now
I already restored my system to a later date but tha2013-03-11T00:24:24-07:00Zushikikatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810?page=2#answer-416125<p>This is happening to me as well. Like <strong>Right Now</strong>
</p><p>I already restored my system to a later date but that dang StartPage page is still loading up every time I open up Firefox, Chrome and IE. I already searched for a way to remove or uninstall this from my system but no solution rid this problem from my pc. Right now the only solution that I can come up with is if I reformat my PC and start clean but, before I do that I will be waiting for a reply from you guys here in this thread to see if anyone comes up with a permanent solution.
</p><p>Greetings from the Philippines!
</p>I won't start the celebration now because we all know what has happened yesterday. Let's just wait f2013-03-10T00:46:18-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810?page=2#answer-415848<p><em>I won't start the celebration now because we all know what has happened yesterday. Let's just wait for a day or two and see what happens.</em>
</p><p>let's hope it is ok
</p>OK, here's how things are. All of 5 programs have finished their scanning and I have quarantined and2013-03-09T23:06:31-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810?page=2#answer-415827<p>OK, here's how things are. All of 5 programs have finished their scanning and I have quarantined and deleted all subjects that were marked as potentially unwanted. I have restarted computer 2 times after that and now everything works the way it should be. I won't start the celebration now because we all know what has happened yesterday. Let's just wait for a day or two and see what happens. Of course, I will inform you about the process. Thank you&nbsp;!
</p>I did manage to obtaion my prefs.js file. When I open it with notepad it says following:
//@line 2 2013-03-09T21:44:13-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810?page=2#answer-415814<p>I did manage to obtaion my prefs.js file. When I open it with notepad it says following:
//@line 2 "e:\builds\moz2_slave\rel-m-rel-w32_bld-000000000000\build\browser\app\profile\channel-prefs.js"
/* This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
</p><pre>* License, v. 2.0. If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
* file, You can obtain one at <a href="http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/" rel="nofollow">http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/</a>. */
</pre>
<p>pref("app.update.channel", "release");
</p><p>Does it make any sense to you? As we speak, the anti malware sofftwares are doin' it's work...
</p>no, it is not related, the STARTSEAR affect also both browsers.
try one more time the Corrupt or dam2013-03-09T20:42:13-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415806<p>no, it is not related, the STARTSEAR affect also both browsers.
</p><p>try one more time the <a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved#Corrupt_or_damaged_prefs.js_file" rel="nofollow">Corrupt or damaged prefs.js file</a>, otherwise, see if you can <a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locking_preferences" rel="nofollow">Lock the preferences</a> (the <strong>browser.startup.homepage</strong> i mean to google)
</p>If I recall correctly, we did try to change this STARTSEAR to GOOGLE in about:config but every time 2013-03-09T20:30:37-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415805<p>If I recall correctly, we did try to change this STARTSEAR to GOOGLE in about:config but every time is restarted the computer it changed back to this STARTSEAR.
</p><p>Do you think it might be connected with Internet Explorer&nbsp;?
</p>I don't know if this will help you, but this is what ADW cleaner showed me on its report:
[Interne2013-03-09T20:03:16-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415801<p>I don't know if this will help you, but this is what ADW cleaner showed me on its report:
</p>
<ul><li><ul><li><ul><li><ul><li><ul><li> [Internet Browsers] *****
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
<p>-\\ Internet Explorer v10.0.9200.16521
</p><p>[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main - Start Page] = hxxp://<a href="http://startsear.info" rel="nofollow">startsear.info</a>
</p><p>-\\ Mozilla Firefox v19.0.2 (en-US)
</p><p>File&nbsp;: C:\Users\Davor\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\87aul7f2.default-1362771890168\prefs.js
</p><p>Found&nbsp;: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "hxxp://<a href="http://startsear.info" rel="nofollow">startsear.info</a>");
</p>try the other 2 (from malware list) and then if the problem persist go for a clean re-install :2013-03-09T17:40:52-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415789<p><strong>try the other 2 (from malware list)</strong> and then if the problem persist go for a clean re-install&nbsp;:Certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a <em>Clean reinstall</em>. This means you remove Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. Please follow these steps:
</p><p><strong>Note:</strong> You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.
</p>
<ol><li>Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from <a href="http://www.mozilla.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.mozilla.org</a> and save the setup file to your computer.
</li><li>After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (click Exit from the Firefox or File menu).
</li><li>Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
<ul><li><strong>Windows:</strong>
<ul><li>C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
</li><li>C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
</li></ul>
</li><li><strong>Mac:</strong> Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
</li><li><strong>Linux:</strong> If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see <a href="/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux" rel="nofollow">Install Firefox on Linux</a>. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop" rel="nofollow">Firefox download page</a>, simply remove the folder <em>firefox</em> in your home directory.
</li></ul>
</li><li>Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
<ol><li>Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
</li><li>Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.
</li></ol>
</li></ol>
<p>Please report back to see if this helped you!
</p>My defaults/pref folder is empty (no .js files there) and I didn't find any file or folder named moz2013-03-09T09:22:41-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415703<p>My defaults/pref folder is empty (no .js files there) and I didn't find any file or folder named mozilla.cfg in the Firefox program folder.
I'll keep trying to find someting out...
</p>You can check for problems with preferences and try to rename or delete the prefs.js file and possib2013-03-09T08:16:16-08:00cor-elhttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415687<p>You can check for problems with preferences and try to rename or delete the prefs.js file and possible numbered prefs-##.js files and a possible user.js file to reset all prefs to the default values.
</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved" rel="nofollow">http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved</a>
</li><li><a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/Resetting_preferences" rel="nofollow">http://kb.mozillazine.org/Resetting_preferences</a>
</li></ul>
<p>You can check for the presence of a mozilla.cfg file in the Firefox program folder to initialize some prefs.
</p><p>This also involves the presence of a .js (JScript) file, probably in "defaults\pref" folder, that specifies to read this mozilla.cfg file.
</p><p>If you have .js files apart from the channel-prefs.js file, that sets app.update.channel, in the defaultspref folder then open this file in an editor like Notepad and please post its content.<br>
Also please post the content of the mozilla.cfg file.
</p><p>If you have this mozilla.cfg file then best is to do a clean reinstall of Firefox and remove the Firefox program folder.
</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved#Other_solutions" rel="nofollow">http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved#Other_solutions</a>
</li></ul>1. there was no STARTSEAR to be deleted, in about:config
2.the only add-on within EXTENSIONS is Real2013-03-09T08:09:03-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415684<p>1. there was no STARTSEAR to be deleted, in about:config
2.the only add-on within EXTENSIONS is RealDownloader 1.3.0. but it's disabled. I've tried to delete it completely but couldn't figure it out how
3. I've checked the registry in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ , there was no file named Startsear
4. I have used first 3 from the list and they have detected and deleted certain threats.
</p><p>This is becoming mysterious...
</p><p>Thanks
</p>Hello , go to about:config type startsear and if you find any entry with startsear (it is bold), rig2013-03-09T00:38:33-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415575<p>Hello , go to <a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config" rel="nofollow">about:config</a> type <strong>startsear</strong> and if you find any entry with startsear (it is bold), right -click and delete it
</p><p>check in Tools &gt; Add-ons &gt; Extensions if you have something similar there delete it
</p><p>check in registry in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ if you have Startsear right-click this registry key and delete it.
</p><p>also see&nbsp;: <a href="https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware#w_how-do-i-get-rid-of-malware" rel="nofollow">How do I get rid of malware?</a>, try it all because every one delete different malware
</p><p><br>
thanks
</p>Ideato- I'm back, unfortunately...This morning I've turned on my computer, and same problems started2013-03-08T23:46:51-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415569<p>Ideato- I'm back, unfortunately...This morning I've turned on my computer, and same problems started all over again: "show search suggestions" box within the "Manage search engine list" on the upper right side of the screen cannot remember that I've ticked it AND again OPTIONS-GENERAL cannot remember my choice of homepage (Google), but it's <a href="http://startsear.info/" rel="nofollow">http://startsear.info/</a> like yesterday. Please help- again.
</p>you are welcome, i'm happy you solve it, all the best to you too
2013-03-08T04:45:05-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415340<p>you are welcome, i'm happy you solve it, all the best to you too
</p>Believe it or not- everything is a OK now ! I have restarted computer several times and everyth2013-03-08T04:37:22-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415338<p>Believe it or not- everything is a OK now&nbsp;! I have restarted computer several times and everything works perfect. very very strage.
Ideato, thank you very much, you were more than helpful. All the best&nbsp;!
</p>Can you reset firefox ? The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to i2013-03-08T04:30:35-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415336<p>Can you reset firefox&nbsp;? The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.
Note: <em>This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.</em>
</p><p>To Reset Firefox do the following:
</p>
<ol><li>Go to Firefox &gt; Help &gt; Troubleshooting Information.
</li><li>Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
</li><li>Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
</li><li>Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
</li></ol>
<p><br>
Further information can be found in the <a href="/en-US/kb/refresh-firefox-reset-add-ons-and-settings" rel="nofollow">Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings</a> article.
</p><p>Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
</p><p>thanks
</p>OK, after following your instructions, we have narrowed my problems to 2. First, still the "show sea2013-03-08T04:19:01-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415332<p>OK, after following your instructions, we have narrowed my problems to 2. First, still the "show search suggestions" box within the "Manage search engine list" on the upper right side of the screen cannot remember that I've ticked it, after I restart the computer. Problem number 2, yet again OPTIONS-GENERAL cannot remember my choice of homepage. But guess what, it doesn't offer me Startpage anymore but now it's <a href="http://startsear.info/&nbsp;???!!!" rel="nofollow">http://startsear.info/&nbsp;???!!!</a> I really don't get it.
</p><p>Thanks
</p>After a computer restart yet again, Startpage engine appears as my homepage deleting all my previous2013-03-08T02:31:23-08:00ideatohttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415306<p><em>After a computer restart yet again, Startpage engine appears as my homepage deleting all my previous settings (Google). </em>
</p><p>the homepage, after that, in options &gt; general tab is google&nbsp;? if reverse to startpage when you restart firefox, set it correct(google) and see&nbsp;: <a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved#Corrupt_or_damaged_prefs.js_file" rel="nofollow">Corrupt or damaged prefs.js file</a>
</p><p><em>Another think appeared, when I want to open the new tab by clicking on the + of the previous one, I get this message: The address isn't valid The URL is not valid and cannot be loaded.</em>
</p><p>what you have in <strong>browser.newtab.url</strong>&nbsp;? , go from <a href="http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config" rel="nofollow">about:config</a>
</p><p>more info&nbsp;: <a href="https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/new-tab-page-show-hide-and-customize-top-sites#w_how-do-i-turn-the-new-tab-page-off" rel="nofollow">How do I turn the new tab page off?</a>
</p><p><br>
thanks
</p>OK, here's how things stand- I have tried first 2 steps that you've recommended me. We have 2 good a2013-03-08T00:45:13-08:00Hutchencehttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/952810#answer-415269<p>OK, here's how things stand- I have tried first 2 steps that you've recommended me. We have 2 good and few bad news. The good news are: when I highlight a word or a name, right click, search Google- Google indeed opens in the new tab&nbsp;! second good news is that the search engine on the right is set to Google now without me intervening. Here start the bad news, every time I restart the computer when I go to "Manage search engine list" , the "show search suggestions" box is always empty and I have to put tick every time I log in. After a computer restart yet again, Startpage engine appears as my homepage deleting all my previous settings (Google). Another think appeared, when I want to open the new tab by clicking on the + of the previous one, I get this message: The address isn't valid The URL is not valid and cannot be loaded. Web addresses are usually written like <a href="http://www.example.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.example.com/</a> Make sure that you're using forward slashes (i.e.
</p><pre> /). Instead of getting a tab with 6 windows within it. Thank you.
</pre>