In what way is Gmail not working for you? Can't you log on or are there other problems?

The website can't be accessed in Firefox but is OK in other browsers. GMail works fine once I'm in there (using IE), it's Firefox 31 which seems to have problems with the website, and now I have just noticed, it also has problems in forums where their search bar uses Google Search So it's something that needs looking at. IE and Chrome have no similar problems.

I'm sure it's no consolation to you, but Gmail is working normally for me at the moment. (on .com Google)

Are you getting a blank page, or site not found, or what exactly?

In case one of your extensions is involved, could you test the page in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

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).

Any difference?

I've tried all that. When I did an online search for the issue I see that Mozilla Firefox has had problems with exactly this issue many times apparently since as early as 2010 with many instances since. I attach a picture of what I get in Safe and regular modes and I've done all the steps it suggests.

Thanks for your attention BTW.

Peter

This issue can be caused by corrupted cookies or cookies that are blocked.

• check the permissions on the about:permissions page and in "Tools > Page Info > Permissions"

Clear the cache and cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

• Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

• Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

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)

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Cookies
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Deleting+cookies

Thanks will try that as soon as I have time and report back (I admin at McAfee Forums and have some major tasks needing attention right now). BTW FYI this problem is odd in that this is fresh installation of Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 (totally up to date) and therefore, a new Firefox too. It's hard to imagine anything becoming corrupted in such a short space of time especially as I am very careful surfing etc. and have had no problems with anything other than Firefox. The fact that this issue is reported so many times on the web makes me wonder if FF has a cookie handling problem from time to time. I've also noticed FF Plug-in container stops working periodically and 'has to close'. Anyway, I will get back to you.

Those sqlite cookies were in "Profiles" not "Profile Directory" and that particular action worked. I now have access, thank you so very much.

However, that doesn't tell me why it happened in the first place (and why it was happening before I even formatted and reinstalled Windows).

BTW I reinstalled Windows because I had a really messy program uninstall & I messed with the registry too much and thus caused malfunctions so that has really no bearing except that the problem had occurred before.

Thanks again Peter.