Please do the following first of all.

• Go to Download Firefox v3.6.17 and download it to the desktop.
  
  
• Then go to Add/Remove Programs, scroll down to "Mozilla Firefox" and remove it, choosing to keep your bookmarks, customizations etc., (don't checkmark the box).
  
  
• Then reboot and delete the folder called "Mozilla Firefox" at this location: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
  
  
• Finally run the installation file you downloaded to the desktop earlier.
  
  
• Your bookmarks, customizations etc., are maintained in a different location and will become available to you again once you complete the installation.
  
  

Next, update the following.

• Adobe Flash via http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
  
  
• Adobe Reader via http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO
  
  
• Java via http://www.java.com/en/
  
  

If the problem persists after performing the above steps, please try running Firefox in Use Troubleshoot Mode in Firefox. If it functions properly in that configuration, then one of your add-ons is the culprit.

Thank you for your reply unfortunately I am unable to upgrade my browser due to some unknow problem with the OS. I tried uninstalling the browser and deleting the program file and reinstalling it but I am still left with the original bookmarks with several that I wish to permantly delete. Any other suggestions?

You should be able to delete bookmarks via the Bookamrk manager (press CTRL+SHIFT+DEL). Right click each one and then choose Delete.

But v3.0.8 is an unsafe browser which exposes your system to attack. Provided you can download 3.6.17 from the link I gave you, yopu should be able install it by booting Windows into Safe Mode and then installing it from there.

A possible cause is a problem with the file places.sqlite that stores the bookmarks and the history.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox