ok, I just fixed it. Went to the shortcut icon on my desktop and clicked properties. Clicked Compatibility, check mark in: Run this program in compatibility mode for: and selected Windows 7. Clicked OK

I am having the same issue. My FF was working fine this AM until ~ 1015 CST when I opened my group tabs and saw the notice that this feature was being discontinued (imagine my surprise!! On further searching I find this was being discussed since November '15 but I received no e-mail notice or anything!). There was a 'learn more' button which I clicked on, and after that I could no longer connect via FF. I checked my ISP and there were no issues. I've tried restarting FF, rebooting my computer (desktop, running Win 7 pro). I can connect via IE (as I'm doing). When I close FF after being unable to connect, I get a "Firefox.exe has generated errors..." message. I'm about to lose my mind 'cause of this issue. Help!!

hi DeniseDiamonds, it's probably best to totally uncheck that compatibility checkbox...

@Marshalldoc: does it make any difference when you go to the firefox menu ≡ > options > advanced > network > connection - settings... & set up firefox to directly connect to the internet ('no proxy')?

Firefox can't load websites but other browsers can

Hi Phillip... thanks for responding.

No, it doesn't help. That was my setting when the issue began. Had changed to 'system proxy' (for no real reason - don't understand them) to see if it helped, it didn't. Have changed it back, still no connection.

Am considering an uninstall-reinstall... ?

hi Marshalldoc, i have seen a number of similar reports unfortunately and am going to take a guess that switching to firefox 64bit might be of help: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/ (please uninstall your current firefox version first though)

before you do that though, would you do me a favor and test if you can reproduce this issue when you start windows 7 in safe mode with networking enabled once? instructions for that are available at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7

Wilco & will update you...

Marshalldoc said

Wilco & will update you...

I got the same result in 'Safe Mode' (from which I'm replying via IE)...

Marshalldoc said

Marshalldoc said

Wilco & will update you...

I got the same result in 'Safe Mode' (from which I'm replying via IE)...

Any other thoughts before I uninstall/reinstall?

not really, please go ahead with trying the 64bit version...

philipp said

not really, please go ahead with trying the 64bit version...

I am connected via FireFox!

I have a prior FF backup on another hard drive. How do I import my prior set up?

Marshalldoc said

I have a prior FF backup on another hard drive. How do I import my prior set up?

this article should provide some guidelines for it: Recovering important data from an old profile

My saga continues: I note the reference to the 'Recovering important data...' but... This describes recovering data produced then FF was operable. When I did the uninstall/reinstall (to 44.0) all my prior stored data (bookmarks, etc.) were lost. I've been using 'Mozbackup' diligently every month to back up both FF & T-Bird but now I cannot seem to find a way to import that backup into FF... why? In an attempt to retrieve the lost information I did a restore (which I create manually twice a week for just such an occasion - but which, oddly wouldn't function until I ran it in 'Safe Mode') to a restore point on Tuesday (before the FF malfunction). Now, when I try to open FF, I'm getting "Couldn't load XPCOM."

Why can't I import my FF backup and what the use of 'Mozbackup' if I can't use it for this issue?

Should I try to restore a 'system image' in order to retrieve my lost FF bookmarks, etc?

This is becoming really vexing!!

regarding the "Couldn't load XPCOM" issue, unfortunately this is a known issue with windows restores which only partially roll back firefox executables leaving you in an inoperable state. please clear the firefox program folder and install firefox 64bit again.

regarding mozbackup: the backup files it creates are actually just zip files of your profile folder. please rename the .pcv backup file to .zip. then extract it, inspect its content and proceed like described at Recovering important data from an old profile

Thanks for the explanations & directions Philipp... will follow your directions and advise.

THAT ADVICE SOLVED THE ISSUE!!

Heart rate decelerating toward normal values...

Thanks for your perseverance.

Marshalldoc

Having had the opportunity to reflect on this issue and the help I received (for which I remain thoroughly grateful), I have the following thoughts:

1. Having MozBackup and a relatively current backup was a real lifesaver! I feel that Mozilla should do a lot more to promote people downloading and using this program for just such occasions. I am now backing up every other week.

2. Those offering help need to keep in mind that those requesting help may be emotionally short-circuited at the prospect of losing important data and may not be thinking entirely clearly about how to proceed logically.

In my case, I didn't remember that MozBackup has a 'restore' function (and I wasn't asked if I had MozBackup or a usable backup). I have a suspicion that, upon my 1st contact, before I'd done anything irreversible (like uninstall FireFox), had I thought to, or had been advised to, 'restore FireFox from MozBackup files' my entire saga might have been eliminated.

Last, while the instruction to convert the MozBackup file to a 'zip' file and install it as directed above (1/28/16, 2:52 PM) were spot on, I suspect they could have been foreshortened by telling me to 'restore from backup' after re-installing FireFox.

I hope these thoughts get passed to the online adviser community and to those in charge of things at Mozilla.

Again,

Thanks.