Upgraded from 3.6 to 8. Firefox 8 keeps wiping out my stored passwords and sign-ons. I keep adding them back (key3.db & signons file). Also, private browsing doesn't work. I push that button and nothing happens.
I replace the key3.db and signons.sqlite files with older ones that i've saved. They work the first time I launch Firefox 8, but if I shut it down and then reopen the browser, they're wiped out again
Also, when I click on "private Browsing," nothing happens. No warning screen. It just sits there.
I'm on Vista Home premium. Been using Firefox and Thunderbird a number of years. Have never had an issue.
Chosen solution
Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode.
To see all History and Cookie settings, choose:
- Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
- Deselect: [ ] "Always use private browsing mode"
Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).
- Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
- https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode
Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.
See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":
There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.
If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
See:
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Chosen Solution
Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode.
To see all History and Cookie settings, choose:
- Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
- Deselect: [ ] "Always use private browsing mode"
Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).
- Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
- https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode
Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.
See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":
There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.
If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
See:
Thanks for your help. Not sure what happened, but I got tired of futzin' with version 8 yesterday and switched back to 3.6. When I switched back to version 8 this morning, the password problem went away (really?) But the browser still refuses to go into "Private Browsing" mode. And, no, I haven't got the browser set to "Always use private browsing mode." However, I did note that when I click "Start private browsing," the main window goes to blank, and the address box on top says "about:blank."
Aaargh! Now I've noticed that the "Back" button doesn't work. This is getting to be less and less fun.
My solution wasn't elegant but it worked. I realized that my laptop had 8.0.1 already installed and was working fine. I copied the profile from the laptop to my desktop. I backed up the old profile on my desktop, then moved the laptop's profile into the correct folder and it loaded up fine. I then loaded my original bookmarks back in and all is well. Stored passwords are intact, private browsing works, back button works.
I still don't really know what was wrong with the old profile, but I really don't have the time to be futzin' with it. I'm just very pleased that Firefox is up to date and humming.