On my recently installed Firefox, I can't access information on one website (using password and user name), but I can on my old IE
To avoid some of the issues related to Microsoft's stopping support for Windows XP, I recently installed Firefox, which has been working well. I kept Internet Explorer on my computer, though. I am a patient at a facility that has an online chart where one can go to get messages, test results, etc. When I am on Firefox and try to access this chart by entering my user name and password, I am denied access and keep getting a message that my session has timed out. When I try the same thing with Internet Explorer, which I would prefer not to use, I do get access. It seems to me that I have to add Firefox to my computer's system somehow (and maybe delete IE) in order for this to work. Can someone tell me how to do this, please?
Chosen solution
P.S. Don't delete IE. Some parts of Windows and some other programs may still need it from time to time. Also, you may find some sites built using older Microsoft technologies that do not work in other browsers.
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Usually sites recognize that your session is still alive using cookies. Can you think of any changes you might have made to Firefox's cookie settings to increase your privacy or reduce tracking? Or any add-ons along those lines?
As a test, try logging in to the site (1) in Firefox's Safe Mode (2) in a Private Browsing window. This will help bypass restrictive cookie settings, as well as other filtering behaviors of extensions, to see whether those are a factor.
You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
- Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
Not all add-ons are disabled: Flash and other plugins still run
After Firefox shuts down, a small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset).
Then open a private browsing window using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+p
- "3-bar" menu button > New Private Window
- File menu > New Private Window
In that window, try logging in. Any difference?
Chosen Solution
P.S. Don't delete IE. Some parts of Windows and some other programs may still need it from time to time. Also, you may find some sites built using older Microsoft technologies that do not work in other browsers.
Thanks so much. This did solve the problem.
One other question. Will Firefox remain in Private Window setup? Or do I have to access it each time I want to log on to the affected site? If it does remain that way, is there any downside/danger?
Thanks for this, too.
P.S. I see that the Private Window is closed when Firefox is closed. Easy enough to open it each time, though. Thanks again.
Thanks for doing that test. It combines a number of possible things which now could be checked separately.
If you can log in in a private window in normal mode (without going into Safe Mode), the most likely explanation for the problem is cookie settings, such as blocking "third party" cookies.
If you can only log in in Firefox's Safe Mode, the most likely explanation is an extension, but figuring out exactly which one may involve some trial and error. You can review, disable, and often configure, and remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
In the left column, click Extensions.
If clearing cookies didn't help then it is possible that the cookies.sqlite file that stores the cookies got corrupted.
- Rename (or delete) cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and delete other present cookies files like cookies.sqlite-journal in the Firefox profile folder in case the file cookies.sqlite got corrupted.
You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:
- Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)