You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete a possible user.js file and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename (or delete) the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Hi cor-el, Thanks for your answer. My technical skills are sadly lacking. I followed the instructions and found the following two files through the following path -

C:\Users\<Windows login/user name>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>.

(1) prefs-old 15.1.2014 15:51 JScript Script File 448 KB – this could not be opened. I have no idea how it was originated, having today's date!

(2) extensions-old. 2.11.2012 18:31 SQLITE File 4 KB Clicking this opens a Windows Script Host box stating –

C\Users\Colin\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\h5gx0v5a.default\prefs-old.js Line: 1 Char: 1 Error: Invalid character Code:800A03F6 Source: Microsoft Jscript compilation error

I am not sure if I should delete this file or change it's name and if so, what action, if any, to take thereafter!

Please advise me.

Thanks,

Colin.

im using firefox 26 on xp pro ... when i started using firefox 26 i tried to set my homepage also ... set it about 3 times ... kept having the same problem as you ... then i discovered

A) make sure that the show my home page option is checked ... find it in ... tools - options - general

B) type in your homepage and touch no other buttons except ok ... close firefox entirely and wait five minutes ... restart firefox ... i hope that works for you ...

You can try to create a new profile or reset Firefox.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Managing+profiles

See "Creating a profile":

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues

If the new profile works then you can transfer some files from an existing profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over the problem.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems

When you reset Firefox then a new profile is created and some personal data (bookmarks, history, cookies, passwords, form data) is automatically imported and the current profile folder will be moved to the desktop to an "Old Firefox Data" folder.
Installed extensions and other customizations (toolbars, prefs) that you have made are lost and need to be redone.

The prefs-old.js file* might have been created by external software that protects you against changes to your browser configuration. Protects you even from yourself. If you have Advanced SystemCare or other security or utility software with features anything like "Home Page Protection", "Surfing Protection" or "Browser Protection" try disabling those settings, at least long enough to make changes and exit and restart Firefox.

* To prevent Windows from hiding file extensions like .js, change the setting as described in the following article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/865219.

Hello - cor-el; jschere2000, and Grassturtle,

Many thanks for your replies.

I tried some of the suggestions that you have posted.

I have even uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it.

I have one concern, I have many Bookmarks and use them fairly regularly, so I am not very keen to follow the suggestion where I might lose them all!

I have one piece of information that I forgot to mention.

In my Bookmark toolbar, I have a button which gives me quick access to my homepage - which is my Yahoo mail page.

When I open Firefox from the button on my taskbar at the bottom of my desktop, I am now getting both the Welcome page and the Mozilla page - which I already mentioned - however, I have found that when Firefox opens I have the opportunity to click on my Yahoo button in the toolbar - and this opens my yahoo mail page.

This is inconvenient, but at least I can get to my home page, even though Firefox does not open where I want it to. But I would still prefer Firefox to retain my Homepage and Download preference!

Obviously my computer skills are not sufficient to be able to carry out some of the suggestions that you have all posted, and I am rather wary of following some, feeling that I might do something that causes more problems for me!

My apologies for my lack of knowledge and technical experience.

Regards,

Colin.

You can create an HTML backup and a JSON backup in Firefox the be prepared from problems with the bookmarks.

You can do this in the Bookmarks Manager (Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks).

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-use-bookmarks

Hello cor-el,

THAT IS IT!!

Thanks a lot!

I was very concerned about losing the bookmarks and rightly so. After resetting Firefox I had to import them from the desktop where I had saved them, through your advice.

Problem solved and all the details on this subject I have saved and put in a separate file, should I ever have the same problem.

Firefox now has saved my chosen Homepage and Download destination. All is GOOD, at last!

Many thanks once again, and to all who gave answers to assist me, thank you too.

Regards, and a Happy New Year!

Colin.

Hey there bro !

At first I have this problem too. My home page always gone to websearch.com. I was so mad and I find my own solution.

Try to go to Uninstall a Program on your laptop. And then if your homepage really cannot be changed (like permanent) , you should find the home page program that you always find in your homepage.

Example: mine was websearch.com. So I go to unistall a program and find the program name websearch. i uninstall that and the my firefox become normal and my homepage become the page that i want.

Hope it works :D Sorry for my bad english :p i from indonesian :)