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cannot restore/import Bookmarks from .html/.json file in Firefox 19.0.2

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After Resetting Firefox(now have new profile) cannot now restore/import Bookmarks from .html/.json backup files created prior to Reset, in Firefox 19.0.2. CPU usage zooms up to 112% waiting for html or json to be imported. Thank you.

After Resetting Firefox(now have new profile) cannot now restore/import Bookmarks from .html/.json backup files created prior to Reset, in Firefox 19.0.2. CPU usage zooms up to 112% waiting for html or json to be imported. Thank you.

All Replies (11)

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You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox Profile Folder and delete all places.sqlite files and restore the bookmarks another time.

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I have this problem - now I have NO ACCESS to my bookmarks!

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Hi jdante, did you run the Reset?

Could you verify that the bookmarkbackup files got migrated? Here's how:

Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button

In the window that opens, you should find a folder named bookmarkbackups that contains dated files. Are they there?

If those files are missing: In a separate window, open the Old Firefox Data folder on your desktop and check for bookmarkbackups in there. If you find them, copy them to the new bookmarkbackups folder. You can close the desktop folder now.

So now you have backups.

In Firefox, use Exit to close the browser.

I assume you are staring at your bookmarkbackups folder. Review the backups files. Check the dates and sizes. If the most recent one(s) look wrong (e.g., much too small), delete them until the newest file looks like a correct one.

Move back up to the level above the bookmarkbackups folder and rename the places.sqlite file to something like places.old.

When you restart Firefox, it should create a new places.sqlite database and restore the most recent backup it finds.

Any luck?

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Changing places.sqlite file to places.old is not possible because the message comes up file is open in Firefox Trying to open .json files in any meaningful way is also impossible as the result is a page of jargon with Notepad or MS Word

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Hi mossbarry, you do need to exit Firefox and allow a few moments for file updates to be completed before renaming the file.

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Hi, I'm having the same problem importing my json bookmarks.

One level up from bookmarkbackups is file called nrcehfht.default instead of the places.sqlite? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Phil

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Hi pbcd, the nrcehfht.default folder should have numerous files in it. One of those files should be places.sqlite (it's a file, not a folder).

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trying to get your bookmark from a disc or usb key , open the all bookmark thing , click on import tab then the restore and choose file thing , you will find your json file and it will work.

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Hi! For resolve this issue: on a (top) menu "Bookmarks" chose "Unsorted Bookmarks" (it's a last command), and you will be prompted via "Library" dialog box. From there chose from a (top) menu: "Import bookmarks from HTML page / restore (from a file). That's all.

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that works for the newer back up of bookmarks since they are in HTML but for the old files you must hit the restore button since they were in JSON and not HTML

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Hi tigmig and daninkognito, Firefox's regular backup format is JSON. However, you can manually export to the HTML format from Firefox or from other browsers in order to exchange bookmarks. Given a choice, restore the JSON format because it stores more data, such as tags you have assigned to your bookmarks. But also, be aware that a restore replaces all current bookmarks, so if you need to mix and match, export your current bookmarks to HTML first.