firefox keeps getting eaten by my computer
I download and install firefox, I use it, I turn off computer. I come back hours later I cannot use icon to launch firefox it no longer works....what is happening? How can I fix it?
All Replies (16)
Is Firefox removed from the computer, or just the icon?
How do you mean; it no longer works does it do anything? Open a window? Error message?
Okay firefox shows as still there but when I click to launch it, it says this shortcut no longer works, remove it? yes/no and I do a search for firefox and all i get are the dead shortcuts and the installation stubs
Start Firefox manually. If it starts, then it's not the program, but the short cut. Mouse to the address bar. Hold down the left button on the icon in front of the address. Now move it to your desk top. Close Firefox, and try out the new shortcut.
If you don't know how, use the file explorer on your computer, go to the Firefox folder, and double click Firefox.exe.
okay perhaps the word shortcut is wrong the icon where you would start it manually is doing the same thing, but it says shortcut even though it isn't.
something is causing firefox to be both somewhat deleted and corrupted is my guess. How do I find out ? How do I fix it? I can re-install and it will work for today, but tomorrow, or perhaps after a few hours, it will be messed up again.
The pictures on your desktop are mostly shortcuts. Using the desktop for storage is not a good idea because, rarely, the desktop gets cleared or disrupted.
Do as I instructed above; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1020735#answer-630220
I can't do what you said. I think you are misunderstanding. It will not work. I'm not only trying from desktop I tried what you said, I tried several things. I need another idea. Your answer is not working.
I'm going to call for help with this. One last thing to try;
Start your Computer in safe mode. Then start Firefox. Is there still a problem?
Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
If running, turn your computer off. Remove any disks and thumb drives that are in your hard drives or ports. Now start your computer but also;
Windows; Press the <F8> key repeatedly. Mac: Hold down the Shift key. Linux; Using the command line, Linux/Unix computers can be booted into various run levels that determine which resources are loaded. For example, "runlevel 1" is typically the equivalent to Windows and Mac safe modes.
When the Boot menu is displayed, release the key you were pressing. You must now choose what mode to use. The most used are;
- Safe Mode; The computer runs with only a minimum set of programs.
- Safe Mode With Networking; Same as above, but with internet access.
I reinstalled firefox so that maybe it will let me try that. However, I shouldn't have to reinstall it every day.
Okay started this morning in safe mode, same thing happened, but more obvious. It is clear that something is causing firefox to become corrupted and partially (at least) deleted after a I turn the computer off. I don't understand why my computer could be rejecting it . That does seem to be the case. Every time I wish to use firefox I am forced to re-install. *sigh*
You should check you system for mal-ware.
Possible Mal-Ware Scan For Macs {web link}
For Windows; Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller
- AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Okay did three scans and cleaned everything. Did a new scan and got a clean reading. Re-installed firefox once more, again it worked fine, then this morning, same thing firefox was unable to be used and seems corrupted (possibly)
As I said before it works fine when I re-install, until I turn off the computer and turn it back on.
You install Firefox, it works fine. After restarting the computer, problem.
Tonight, leave the computer running. Run a full virus scan if you want. Close Firefox BTW.
Any problem the next morning?
What security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?
Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.
I'll give it a shot.