Really, really , really bad that firefox cannot read it's own bookmark backups
Lost all my bookmarks, don't know how, an Out Of Memory event might be linked to it. Lost all my add-ons Lost all my history Firefox cannot read the bookmark backups it created. Firefox does not build up history anymore. The cache seems to be working, adresses are "autocompleted" Passwords are still filled in. What a mess.
This is the 2nd time I fill in this form, frustrating, the last one got lost cause I had to correct my e-mail address. What a clumsy webform design, do you misspelled a word, well then you have to start over again. Argh! Please check how long the designers of that flow can hold there breath under water, it should be at least 10 minutes. I hope it works now.
All Replies (4)
Let's see if we can find your missing data.
Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder called; Old Firefox?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-run-firefox-when-profile-missing-inaccessible
Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles. I use an add-on that makes backups of my user profile, Just In Case. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with the current Firefox.
Every now and then, open the profile folder and create a copy of the current profile as is to another location on your hard drive. This way you will have a backup.
If you do this each day, you will not lose much data. This should be done with Firefox Closed.
Note: In case you need to restore from these backups, you may need to overwrite old or corrupted files.
fartsvader said
Really, really , really bad that firefox cannot read it's own bookmark backups
Many have reported this issue. This is what I do;
Open the Bookmarks Manager; Press the Alt or F10 key to bring up the toolbar, and select Bookmarks. Hot key is <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> B.
Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML, and follow the prompts and save it to a HTML file. Copy the file to another computer/profile. Repeat the instructions above, BUT select Import Bookmarks From HTML.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recover-lost-or-missing-bookmarks
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.
- use "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
in case errors are reported close and restart Firefox and retry
See also:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
If "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a 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
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox
You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.