This can be a problem with the file places.sqlite that stores the bookmarks and the history.

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

Thank you for your assistance. Replacing the places.sqlite and places.sqlite-journal files from back-up RESTORED MY BOOKMARKS SIDEBAR CONTENTS as you indicated. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox LOCATING FIREFOX PROFILE FOLDER: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Profiles?s=FIREFOX+PROFILE+FOLDER&as=s

I have the same bookmarks not showing problem - after upgrading to Firefox 4 my bookmarks sidebar (on the left side of the window) shows only a gray box. The search function works and shows recent sites to which I have connected. The bookmarks can be shown in a dropdown box (on the right side) when I click on the bookmarks icon but I want them to be permanently displayed. Running in safe mode does not solve problem. I tried to connect to the suggested URL: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox but the connection times out. Can you help me out? Thanks,

Larry

Damaged Places database

If the symptoms described above occur even when you first start Firefox after rebooting the computer, the Places database ("places.sqlite" file) may be damaged or missing essential information. If you have a recent profile backup you can remove the file "places.sqlite" (and "places.sqlite-journal", if found) from the Firefox profile folder and replace it with the "places.sqlite" backup. If you have no backup or if it doesn't resolve the problem, you can rebuild the Places database as follows: (You may wish to export your bookmarks to an HTML file first, as a precaution.)

  1. Close Firefox completely
  2. Open the Firefox profile folder
  3. Delete or rename all files named "places.sqlite", including
"places.sqlite-journal" and any "places.sqlite.corrupt" 

files, if found.

When you restart Firefox, "places.sqlite" will be rebuilt and your bookmarks will be automatically restored from the latest JSON bookmark backup; however, your browsing history will be lost. [6] [7] [8] [9]

LOCATING FIREFOX PROFILE FOLDER: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Profiles?s=FIREFOX+PROFILE+FOLDER&as=s