error message -- bookmarks and history not functional
i have two computers. on computer 1, all is fine. on computer 2, when it restarted after an update, i got the error message -- "the bookmarks and history system will not be functional b/c one of firefox's files is in use by another application, some security software can cause this problem." this has NEVER happened before.
i found the "how to fix this problem" page, but i am completely baffled by it. what i want to know is what security software (i have avast apps) is likely to have caused this problem, and how do i fix it (i.e., what setting should i change?).
thanks for any help you can provide. i am NOT tech-savvy, this is the only time this has happened, and i've had both computers for years. they have both always had the same apps.
All Replies (3)
Did you try to close and restart Firefox or reboot the computer?
If you use Sync, best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder.
- use the "Places Database" -> "Verify Integrity" button in "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support)
If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox or reboot the computer and retry.
If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.
- keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created
- you lose the history when a new places.sqlite is created
You may have to restore an older backup in the bookmarkbackups folder via the Bookmarks Manager (Library).
- Bookmarks -> Manage Bookmarks -> Import & Backup -> Restore
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them
See also:
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fix-bookmarks-and-history-will-not-be-functional
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cant-add-change-or-save-bookmarks
You can use the button in "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).
- Help -> More Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
hi --
i am terribly sorry, but i don't understand any of this except for the restart suggestion, which i already did more than once. i don't even know what Sync is. i am NOT tech-savvy AT ALL.
You can open the about:support page that shows some information about the Firefox setup via the Help menu.
- Help -> More Troubleshooting Information
Use the Find bar (Ctrl+F) or scroll down until you see the Places Database section.
You can click the "Verify Integrity" button, this shows some info about the database that stores the bookmarks and history (places.sqlite).
You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.