Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Can bookmarks be recovered after a hard drive crash?

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 28 views
  • Last reply by Shadow110

more options

I never backedup my Firefox bookmarks specifically before a hard drive crash in my Mac Pro. But can they be recovered in Time Machine? If so, how?

I never backedup my Firefox bookmarks specifically before a hard drive crash in my Mac Pro. But can they be recovered in Time Machine? If so, how?

All Replies (6)

more options

That depends on what type of crash. If there is physical damage to the drive, the possibility is small. If you just need to install a new drive motor, the data should still be there. But there could be some corrupt files.

You need to have a techs help on this.

more options

Thanks for the reply. In this case the HD was swapped out and new OS installed so the question becomes whether the bookmarks are only kept locally on that HD and/or are they recorded by Time Machine.

more options

I don't know Time Machine, but I would think that data is on the hard drive. What you could do is mount it as a second hard drive.

more options

Did you check if there are JSON backups available?

Are you using the Time Machine to backup your data?

If that is the case then search for your profile folder in the backup and see if you can locate the places.sqlite file (bookmarks and history).

The profile folder is in a hidden location in your Home directory in "~/Library".

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<profile>/

In Mac OS X v10.7 and later, the ~/Library folder in the Home directory is a hidden folder.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

See also:

more options

Thanks for your input FredMcD and for your suggestions cor-el. I'm grateful for your suggestion cor-el about how to dive into the Time Machine files to find the profile folder.

Unfortunately, Apple engineers are currently looking into why I can't access the critical dates in the Time Machine system, which reside in an external hard drive, exactly where I hope to find the profile folder cor-el mentioned.  :-(

I trusted the Time Machine program, which used an external hard drive, to make backup records of everything on my internal hard drive which, crashed and was replaced. I will post the results of the review by Apple engineers that I expect in the next few days. Thanks again and wish me luck!

more options