Did Windows create a folder with a name similar to:

C:\Windows.old

If so, usually your Firefox data will be in that folder and can be recovered (details to follow if relevant).

yes i have that folder. :) where should i look?

See:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

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/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

I think cor-el has you covered, but just in case:

You should be able to find your data under:

C:\Windows.old\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

If you do not see that folder, make sure Windows is not hiding it from you. This article has the steps: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-hidden-files

Here is my suggested "old profile resurrection procedure":

Overview

These are the steps:

1. Create a new Firefox profile
2. Remove everything from that new profile folder
3. Copy in everything from the old profile folder

Create a new Firefox profile (Windows)

Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):

firefox.exe -P

Don't delete anything here.

Note: Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.

Click the Create Profile button and skip the option to change the folder location. Then select that new profile in the dialog and start Firefox.

Open the New Profile folder in Windows Explorer

Firefox in the new profile should look like a factory fresh installation. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
• Help menu > Troubleshooting Information

In the first table, click the "Show Folder" button. Firefox will launch your brand new profile folder in Windows Explorer.

Leaving this folder open, switch back to Firefox, and Exit. This will leave that profile folder open in Windows Explorer.

Copy Old Data in Place of New

In that new profile folder, select all the contents and delete.

Leaving that window open, open or switch over to your old profile folder under C:\Windows.old. If you found multiple profile folders, find the one with the most recently updated time stamps. When you're in the folder, you should see a folder named bookmarkbackups among other things.

Select everything (Ctrl+a) and Copy (either right-click > Copy or Ctrl+c).

Switch to the empty new profile folder in other window and Paste (either right-click > Paste or Ctrl+v). This may take a minute since some of the files are large.

Start Firefox

Firefox should start up in that new profile with the resurrected old profile data. Success?

thank you for all your help. i was able to get what i needed. :)