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Formatted and now can't sync

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by chrisr1984

chrisr1984
chrisr1984
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Hello,

I have been always using Mozbackup to backup and restore during formats, but couldn't make it work this time so I thought to let Sync handle it.

Actually this time I moved from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on a different pc, and right before the move, while I was collecting important files etc., I decided to also change my Sync account pw, to bring it in a format I would be sure I would remember afterwards. This was last Saturday, and now I just had time to install Windows and set up the new pc, and Sync won't let me log in no matter what I try!

I am going crazy, all my bookmarks and logons were in that sync, I really want it back! I have been trying every possibility, even possible mistypings, or letters that I might forgot to press Shift, etc., but nothing, it seems impossible to log in. Now I am locked out for the next 15 minutes.

And if I change the password, Firefox tells me that some data from my sync will be lost. Well, if the bookmarks don't, that will be enough I guess....

Thanks for the support.

Hello, I have been always using Mozbackup to backup and restore during formats, but couldn't make it work this time so I thought to let Sync handle it. Actually this time I moved from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on a different pc, and right before the move, while I was collecting important files etc., I decided to also change my Sync account pw, to bring it in a format I would be sure I would remember afterwards. This was last Saturday, and now I just had time to install Windows and set up the new pc, and Sync won't let me log in no matter what I try! I am going crazy, all my bookmarks and logons were in that sync, I really want it back! I have been trying every possibility, even possible mistypings, or letters that I might forgot to press Shift, etc., but nothing, it seems impossible to log in. Now I am locked out for the next 15 minutes. And if I change the password, Firefox tells me that some data from my sync will be lost. Well, if the bookmarks don't, that will be enough I guess.... Thanks for the support.

All Replies (4)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Do you still have access to the Windows 7 PC to copy off some files?

One common issue with passwords is the Shift Lock key. Otherwise, I don't have any guesses about what the problem might be.

If you reset your password, I think the entire accounts contents would be flushed. See: I've lost my Firefox Sync account information - What to do.

chrisr1984
chrisr1984 Question owner
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Unfortunately the only component that didn't get replaced is the SSD, I did a clean install on top of the previous one!

I found some 4 month old bookmarks, will do for now as I keep trying password combinations.

But I am SURE I put the correct one and it just doesn't get accepted. I even found the confirmation email for the password change, so no way there is a 5 year old forgotten password in there.

I just tried it with Caps lock on, also didn't work :(

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Did the Windows 10 installer preserve your Windows 7 data in a folder named

C:\Windows.old

If so, you probably can get a lot of old program data out of there, for Firefox and other things.

For Firefox, you'll need to turn on viewing of hidden files and folders. See:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

Then you can explore up the path:

  • C:\Windows.old\Users\username\Desktop\Old Firefox Data
  • C:\Windows.old\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

Hopefully you'll find data in one or both of those locations and we can resume the recovery from there.

Note: That folder gets deleted automatically after 28 days, so make time to go through it soon (or make a secure copy somewhere).

chrisr1984
chrisr1984 Question owner
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Good point, but no. It was a clean install including deletion of the partition and reformatting the disk.

Thank you for the suggestions jscher2000