IE and Firefox Won't Open

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paul Calcagno
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Paul Calcagno

Guest
My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to get

to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver 3.5.8 to

Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I tried.

So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System Restore

in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was (momentarily)

able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just fine

but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of Norton's

apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no avail.

I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My Programs

and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked. Overall

system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or Spyware

but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS yet

but I will.

I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all it

did was disable IE and Firefox.



Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task Manager

shows nothing running.



I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner (I

have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate that

*&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the machine

owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be able to

get it re-installed.



Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is screwing

up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first one to

admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.



Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I don't

come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some phone

support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.
 
On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard



> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to get

> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver 3.5.8 to

> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I tried.

> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System Restore

> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was (momentarily)

> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just fine

> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of Norton's

> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no avail.

> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My Programs

> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked. Overall

> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or Spyware

> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS yet

> but I will.

> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all it

> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>

> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task Manager

> shows nothing running.

>

> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner (I

> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate that

> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the machine

> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be able to

> get it re-installed.

>

> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is screwing

> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first one to

> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>

> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I don't

> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some phone

> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>



Hi Paul,



Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

delete it, then try opening FF again.



http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use



Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows



Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...





Terry R.

--

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Hi Terry R. The links you sent look extremely useful. I will try my best

to get through these and not screw something up. Thanks very much for this,

Terry. PaulC.



"Terry R." wrote in message

news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard

>

>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to

>> get

>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver 3.5.8

>> to

>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I tried.

>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>> Restore

>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>> (momentarily)

>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just

>> fine

>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>> Norton's

>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>> avail.

>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>> Programs

>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>> Overall

>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>> Spyware

>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS yet

>> but I will.

>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all

>> it

>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>

>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>> Manager

>> shows nothing running.

>>

>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner

>> (I

>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>> that

>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the machine

>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be able to

>> get it re-installed.

>>

>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>> screwing

>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first one

>> to

>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>

>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>> don't

>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some phone

>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>

>

> Hi Paul,

>

> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists, delete

> it, then try opening FF again.

>

> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>

> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>

> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>

>

> Terry R.

> --

> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Terry,

I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it when it

closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not opening

the next time.



I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file in each

user profile in order to get FF to open?

When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles. So FF in

the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not sure about

that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of course, I can't find

out about the versions because I can't open FF in either profile. Would

this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User profile be causing a

problem too, separate from the parent.lock file issue?



Paul C.



"Terry R." wrote in message

news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard

>

>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to

>> get

>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver 3.5.8

>> to

>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I tried.

>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>> Restore

>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>> (momentarily)

>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just

>> fine

>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>> Norton's

>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>> avail.

>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>> Programs

>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>> Overall

>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>> Spyware

>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS yet

>> but I will.

>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all

>> it

>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>

>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>> Manager

>> shows nothing running.

>>

>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner

>> (I

>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>> that

>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the machine

>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be able to

>> get it re-installed.

>>

>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>> screwing

>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first one

>> to

>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>

>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>> don't

>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some phone

>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>

>

> Hi Paul,

>

> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists, delete

> it, then try opening FF again.

>

> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>

> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>

> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>

>

> Terry R.

> --

> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
On 3/13/2010 5:48 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

> Terry,

> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it when

> it closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not

> opening the next time.

>

> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file in

> each user profile in order to get FF to open?

> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles. So

> FF in the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not

> sure about that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of

> course, I can't find out about the versions because I can't open FF in

> either profile. Would this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User

> profile be causing a problem too, separate from the parent.lock file issue?

>

> Paul C.

>

> "Terry R." wrote in message

> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard

>>

>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine

>>> to get

>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>>> 3.5.8 to

>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I tried.

>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>> Restore

>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>> (momentarily)

>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install

>>> just fine

>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>> Norton's

>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>> avail.

>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>> Programs

>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>> Overall

>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>> Spyware

>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS

>>> yet

>>> but I will.

>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and

>>> all it

>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>

>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down

>>> but

>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>> Manager

>>> shows nothing running.

>>>

>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then

>>> try to

>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install

>>> CCleaner (I

>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>>> that

>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the machine

>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be

>>> able to

>>> get it re-installed.

>>>

>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>> screwing

>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first

>>> one to

>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>>

>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>> don't

>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some phone

>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>

>>

>> Hi Paul,

>>

>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

>> delete it, then try opening FF again.

>>

>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>

>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>

>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>

>>

>> Terry R.

>> --

>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>

Paul,



Hold on! Do not try too many things at the same time.



Here is what I would do: first, get your machine back to a situation

where IE works normally, even if you have to kill a FF process at

boot-up. This way, you will know for sure that the Internet connection

works normally.



Once you are on this firm ground, and if indeed FF causes a problem at

boot-up, open ms config and carefully check the startup tab. There

should not be any line related to FF. If there is, remove it. Reboot and

see if everything works out ok.



If this is the case, make the change in msconfig permanent. Sorry, I do

not personally use msconfig so I cannot be more precise here.



Once you are in a situation where your machine boots normally, now you

can deal with the FF issue.



The parent.lock file Terry mentionned comes to play when you want to

launch FF and get a message saying that FF is already running (even if

no FF process is running in task manager).



The message is deceptive. As Terry mentionned, the problem is related to

profile and most often, this actually means that FF is not finding the

profile it expects. Then you need to open profile manager as suggested

by Terry and created a new profile. Once you are back on your feet, you

can try to correct the problem profile or just delete it and use a new one.



One last word: this is not the forum where you will get the most

efficient help: go to news.mozilla.org and select mozilla.support.firefox

--

John Doue
 
John, I already know that IE does not open up, but Google Chrome works fine

and I can get on the internet if I need to. I have no idea why IE won't

work. I'll try deleting Temp Internet files and see if that makes it open.



In the one User profile where I attempted to update FF, FF is not an issue

at boot up. Boot up looks and acts normally.



Regarding the parent.lock file I don't get any messages when I try to open

FF. All I get is FF won't open up at all. Nothing happens. Just like IE.

Then when I tried a restart, a window pops up saying Windows is trying to

close FF. That fails and I have to force it off by saying `End Now'.



Do you know if IE can have a similar problem like the parent.lock thing when

it won't open?



I'll try re-posting this issue on the forum you suggested. I didn't know it

existed.



Thanks, John. Paul C.





"John Doue" wrote in message

news:ugRfal3wKHA.3408@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> On 3/13/2010 5:48 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

>> Terry,

>> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

>> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it when

>> it closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not

>> opening the next time.

>>

>> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

>> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file in

>> each user profile in order to get FF to open?

>> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles. So

>> FF in the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not

>> sure about that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of

>> course, I can't find out about the versions because I can't open FF in

>> either profile. Would this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User

>> profile be causing a problem too, separate from the parent.lock file

>> issue?

>>

>> Paul C.

>>

>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the

>>> keyboard

>>>

>>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state

>>>> where

>>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine

>>>> to get

>>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>>>> 3.5.8 to

>>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

>>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

>>>> tried.

>>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>>> Restore

>>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode

>>>> (which

>>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>>> (momentarily)

>>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install

>>>> just fine

>>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>>> Norton's

>>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>>> avail.

>>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>>> Programs

>>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>>> Overall

>>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>>> Spyware

>>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS

>>>> yet

>>>> but I will.

>>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and

>>>> all it

>>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>>

>>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to

>>>> shut

>>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in

>>>> the

>>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down

>>>> but

>>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>>> Manager

>>>> shows nothing running.

>>>>

>>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then

>>>> try to

>>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install

>>>> CCleaner (I

>>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

>>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>>>> that

>>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the

>>>> machine

>>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be

>>>> able to

>>>> get it re-installed.

>>>>

>>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>>> screwing

>>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first

>>>> one to

>>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>>>

>>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>>> don't

>>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

>>>> phone

>>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>>

>>>

>>> Hi Paul,

>>>

>>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

>>> delete it, then try opening FF again.

>>>

>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>>

>>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

>>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>>

>>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>>

>>>

>>> Terry R.

>>> --

>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>>

> Paul,

>

> Hold on! Do not try too many things at the same time.

>

> Here is what I would do: first, get your machine back to a situation where

> IE works normally, even if you have to kill a FF process at boot-up. This

> way, you will know for sure that the Internet connection works normally.

>

> Once you are on this firm ground, and if indeed FF causes a problem at

> boot-up, open ms config and carefully check the startup tab. There should

> not be any line related to FF. If there is, remove it. Reboot and see if

> everything works out ok.

>

> If this is the case, make the change in msconfig permanent. Sorry, I do

> not personally use msconfig so I cannot be more precise here.

>

> Once you are in a situation where your machine boots normally, now you can

> deal with the FF issue.

>

> The parent.lock file Terry mentionned comes to play when you want to

> launch FF and get a message saying that FF is already running (even if no

> FF process is running in task manager).

>

> The message is deceptive. As Terry mentionned, the problem is related to

> profile and most often, this actually means that FF is not finding the

> profile it expects. Then you need to open profile manager as suggested by

> Terry and created a new profile. Once you are back on your feet, you can

> try to correct the problem profile or just delete it and use a new one.

>

> One last word: this is not the forum where you will get the most efficient

> help: go to news.mozilla.org and select mozilla.support.firefox

> --

> John Doue
 
On 3/13/2010 2:48 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard



> Terry,

> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it when it

> closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not opening

> the next time.

>

> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file in each

> user profile in order to get FF to open?



If it exists in each one, then yes. That file is usually removed by FF

upon exit, so an abnormal exit will cause the file to remain.



> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles. So FF in

> the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not sure about

> that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of course, I can't find

> out about the versions because I can't open FF in either profile. Would

> this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User profile be causing a

> problem too, separate from the parent.lock file issue?

>

> Paul C.



The profiles and the program are completely separate. Updating the

program has nothing to do with the profiles, and any profile will use

the updated program. Unless you performed a custom install and created

a separate profile to launch for that custom install.



The link I gave you regarding profiles should have all the links needed

to learn everything you know.



If you post on the mozilla newsgroup, I subscribe there also, but the

answers will be the same.



Again, none of this will have any bearing on IE. What version are you

currently using of IE?





>

> "Terry R." wrote in message

> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard

>>

>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to

>>> get

>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver 3.5.8

>>> to

>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was it!

>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I tried.

>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>> Restore

>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>> (momentarily)

>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just

>>> fine

>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>> Norton's

>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>> avail.

>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>> Programs

>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>> Overall

>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>> Spyware

>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS yet

>>> but I will.

>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all

>>> it

>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>

>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>> Manager

>>> shows nothing running.

>>>

>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner

>>> (I

>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>>> that

>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the machine

>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be able to

>>> get it re-installed.

>>>

>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>> screwing

>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first one

>>> to

>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>>

>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>> don't

>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some phone

>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>

>> Hi Paul,

>>

>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists, delete

>> it, then try opening FF again.

>>

>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>

>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>

>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>

>>

>> Terry R.

>> --

>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>







Terry R.

--

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
On 3/14/2010 10:26 AM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

> John, I already know that IE does not open up, but Google Chrome works

> fine and I can get on the internet if I need to. I have no idea why IE

> won't work. I'll try deleting Temp Internet files and see if that makes

> it open.

>

> In the one User profile where I attempted to update FF, FF is not an

> issue at boot up. Boot up looks and acts normally.

>

> Regarding the parent.lock file I don't get any messages when I try to

> open FF. All I get is FF won't open up at all. Nothing happens. Just

> like IE. Then when I tried a restart, a window pops up saying Windows is

> trying to close FF. That fails and I have to force it off by saying `End

> Now'.

>

> Do you know if IE can have a similar problem like the parent.lock thing

> when it won't open?

>

> I'll try re-posting this issue on the forum you suggested. I didn't know

> it existed.

>

> Thanks, John. Paul C.

>

>

> "John Doue" wrote in message

> news:ugRfal3wKHA.3408@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> On 3/13/2010 5:48 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

>>> Terry,

>>> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

>>> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it when

>>> it closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not

>>> opening the next time.

>>>

>>> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

>>> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file in

>>> each user profile in order to get FF to open?

>>> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles. So

>>> FF in the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not

>>> sure about that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of

>>> course, I can't find out about the versions because I can't open FF in

>>> either profile. Would this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User

>>> profile be causing a problem too, separate from the parent.lock file

>>> issue?

>>>

>>> Paul C.

>>>

>>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>>> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the

>>>> keyboard

>>>>

>>>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state

>>>>> where

>>>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine

>>>>> to get

>>>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>>>>> 3.5.8 to

>>>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was

>>>>> it!

>>>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

>>>>> tried.

>>>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>>>> Restore

>>>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode

>>>>> (which

>>>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>>>> (momentarily)

>>>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install

>>>>> just fine

>>>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>>>> Norton's

>>>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>>>> avail.

>>>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>>>> Programs

>>>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>>>> Overall

>>>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>>>> Spyware

>>>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS

>>>>> yet

>>>>> but I will.

>>>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and

>>>>> all it

>>>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>>>

>>>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to

>>>>> shut

>>>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was

>>>>> in the

>>>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down

>>>>> but

>>>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>>>> Manager

>>>>> shows nothing running.

>>>>>

>>>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then

>>>>> try to

>>>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install

>>>>> CCleaner (I

>>>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet

>>>>> files

>>>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>>>>> that

>>>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the

>>>>> machine

>>>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be

>>>>> able to

>>>>> get it re-installed.

>>>>>

>>>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with

>>>>> Firefox

>>>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>>>> screwing

>>>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first

>>>>> one to

>>>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>>>>

>>>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>>>> don't

>>>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

>>>>> phone

>>>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>> Hi Paul,

>>>>

>>>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

>>>> delete it, then try opening FF again.

>>>>

>>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>>>

>>>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>>>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

>>>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>>>

>>>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> Terry R.

>>>> --

>>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>>>

>> Paul,

>>

>> Hold on! Do not try too many things at the same time.

>>

>> Here is what I would do: first, get your machine back to a situation

>> where IE works normally, even if you have to kill a FF process at

>> boot-up. This way, you will know for sure that the Internet connection

>> works normally.

>>

>> Once you are on this firm ground, and if indeed FF causes a problem at

>> boot-up, open ms config and carefully check the startup tab. There

>> should not be any line related to FF. If there is, remove it. Reboot

>> and see if everything works out ok.

>>

>> If this is the case, make the change in msconfig permanent. Sorry, I

>> do not personally use msconfig so I cannot be more precise here.

>>

>> Once you are in a situation where your machine boots normally, now you

>> can deal with the FF issue.

>>

>> The parent.lock file Terry mentionned comes to play when you want to

>> launch FF and get a message saying that FF is already running (even if

>> no FF process is running in task manager).

>>

>> The message is deceptive. As Terry mentionned, the problem is related

>> to profile and most often, this actually means that FF is not finding

>> the profile it expects. Then you need to open profile manager as

>> suggested by Terry and created a new profile. Once you are back on

>> your feet, you can try to correct the problem profile or just delete

>> it and use a new one.

>>

>> One last word: this is not the forum where you will get the most

>> efficient help: go to news.mozilla.org and select mozilla.support.firefox

>> --

>> John Doue

>

If I were you, I would first strive to solve the IE problem. Which

version do you have? One possibility would be to let MS Update install

IE8 if you do not already have it but since I never use IE, I cannot be

more helpful on how to solve this first problem.



Once you have solved this one, I suggest you try launching FF in safe

mode (in run: firefox.exe -safe-mode). See if this manages to launch FF.

Have you also tried launching FF profile manager (run: firefox.exe

-profilemanager)?



The information you will gather will be very useful once you post your

problem on the NG I suggested. One little thing: bottom post on it. See

you there!

--

John Doue
 
Hi Paul,



The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the computer

when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the computer. The

installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet Explorer,

but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to return

to normal.





--

thecreator







"Paul Calcagno" wrote in message

news:eFeN1yiwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to

> get to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

> 3.5.8 to Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That

> was it! After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

> tried.

> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System Restore

> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode (which

> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was (momentarily)

> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just

> fine but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

> Norton's apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to

> no avail. I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in

> My Programs and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that

> worked. Overall system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect

> Malware or Spyware but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and

> run MBAM or SAS yet but I will.

> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all it

> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>

> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task Manager

> shows nothing running.

>

> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner

> (I have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

> that *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the

> machine owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be

> able to get it re-installed.

>

> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

> screwing up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the

> first one to admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how

> they work.

>

> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

> don't come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

> phone support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.
 
Hi Terry. Thanks for your comments. Here's this situation. After trying

many things today I uninstalled FF (used both Add/Remove and Revo

Uninstaller) and then did fresh install. Still won't open up.

I never found any parent.lock files in either profile. There were also no

folders in the Firefox program files called Updates so nothing to do there.

I could not find a way to even access the Norton firewall options so that

was a bust.



IE is now running fine. Turns out the IE shortcuts on the desktop were not

working but when I found a quick launch one in Programs, it opens just fine.

So now IE and Chrome browsers are working but FF refuses to open. When I

did the FF update it was NOT a custom install so I haven't a clue what

happened.

Another helper (thecreator) says I should have done the restart when FF

requested it and that just simply doing a restart now should return FF and

IE (shortcuts) back to their original working condition, but this is simply

not the case. Going thru all of this I've done almost a dozen restarts

(which all work fine) but FF won't open. These folks I'm doing this for

could care less about whether FF opens so I'm inclined to throw in the towel

at this point and vow to never ignore what the FF updater says.



Paul C.



"Terry R." wrote in message

news:#OOEb04wKHA.5132@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> On 3/13/2010 2:48 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard

>

>> Terry,

>> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

>> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it when

>> it

>> closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not

>> opening

>> the next time.

>>

>> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

>> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file in

>> each

>> user profile in order to get FF to open?

>

> If it exists in each one, then yes. That file is usually removed by FF

> upon exit, so an abnormal exit will cause the file to remain.

>

>> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles. So FF

>> in

>> the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not sure

>> about

>> that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of course, I can't

>> find

>> out about the versions because I can't open FF in either profile. Would

>> this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User profile be causing a

>> problem too, separate from the parent.lock file issue?

>>

>> Paul C.

>

> The profiles and the program are completely separate. Updating the

> program has nothing to do with the profiles, and any profile will use the

> updated program. Unless you performed a custom install and created a

> separate profile to launch for that custom install.

>

> The link I gave you regarding profiles should have all the links needed to

> learn everything you know.

>

> If you post on the mozilla newsgroup, I subscribe there also, but the

> answers will be the same.

>

> Again, none of this will have any bearing on IE. What version are you

> currently using of IE?

>

>

>>

>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the

>>> keyboard

>>>

>>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state

>>>> where

>>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to

>>>> get

>>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>>>> 3.5.8

>>>> to

>>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That was

>>>> it!

>>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

>>>> tried.

>>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>>> Restore

>>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode

>>>> (which

>>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>>> (momentarily)

>>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just

>>>> fine

>>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>>> Norton's

>>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>>> avail.

>>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>>> Programs

>>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>>> Overall

>>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>>> Spyware

>>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS

>>>> yet

>>>> but I will.

>>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all

>>>> it

>>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>>

>>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to

>>>> shut

>>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in

>>>> the

>>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down

>>>> but

>>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>>> Manager

>>>> shows nothing running.

>>>>

>>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try

>>>> to

>>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install

>>>> CCleaner

>>>> (I

>>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet files

>>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>>>> that

>>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the

>>>> machine

>>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be able

>>>> to

>>>> get it re-installed.

>>>>

>>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>>> screwing

>>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the first

>>>> one

>>>> to

>>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>>>

>>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>>> don't

>>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

>>>> phone

>>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>>

>>> Hi Paul,

>>>

>>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

>>> delete

>>> it, then try opening FF again.

>>>

>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>>

>>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

>>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>>

>>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>>

>>>

>>> Terry R.

>>> --

>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>>

>

>

>

> Terry R.

> --

> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Paul Calcagno wrote:

> Hi Terry. Thanks for your comments. Here's this situation. After

> trying many things today I uninstalled FF (used both Add/Remove and Revo

> Uninstaller) and then did fresh install. Still won't open up.

> I never found any parent.lock files in either profile. There were also

> no folders in the Firefox program files called Updates so nothing to do

> there. I could not find a way to even access the Norton firewall options

> so that was a bust.

>

> IE is now running fine. Turns out the IE shortcuts on the desktop were

> not working but when I found a quick launch one in Programs, it opens

> just fine. So now IE and Chrome browsers are working but FF refuses to

> open. When I did the FF update it was NOT a custom install so I haven't

> a clue what happened.

> Another helper (thecreator) says I should have done the restart when FF

> requested it and that just simply doing a restart now should return FF

> and IE (shortcuts) back to their original working condition, but this is

> simply not the case. Going thru all of this I've done almost a dozen

> restarts (which all work fine) but FF won't open. These folks I'm doing

> this for could care less about whether FF opens so I'm inclined to throw

> in the towel at this point and vow to never ignore what the FF updater

> says.

>

> Paul C.

>

> "Terry R." wrote in message

> news:#OOEb04wKHA.5132@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> On 3/13/2010 2:48 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard

>>

>>> Terry,

>>> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file. I

>>> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it

>>> when it

>>> closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not

>>> opening

>>> the next time.

>>>

>>> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

>>> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file

>>> in each

>>> user profile in order to get FF to open?

>>

>> If it exists in each one, then yes. That file is usually removed by

>> FF upon exit, so an abnormal exit will cause the file to remain.

>>

>>> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles.

>>> So FF in

>>> the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not sure

>>> about

>>> that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of course, I

>>> can't find

>>> out about the versions because I can't open FF in either profile. Would

>>> this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User profile be causing a

>>> problem too, separate from the parent.lock file issue?

>>>

>>> Paul C.

>>

>> The profiles and the program are completely separate. Updating the

>> program has nothing to do with the profiles, and any profile will use

>> the updated program. Unless you performed a custom install and

>> created a separate profile to launch for that custom install.

>>

>> The link I gave you regarding profiles should have all the links

>> needed to learn everything you know.

>>

>> If you post on the mozilla newsgroup, I subscribe there also, but the

>> answers will be the same.

>>

>> Again, none of this will have any bearing on IE. What version are you

>> currently using of IE?

>>

>>

>>>

>>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>>> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the

>>>> keyboard

>>>>

>>>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state

>>>>> where

>>>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works

>>>>> fine to

>>>>> get

>>>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>>>>> 3.5.8

>>>>> to

>>>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That

>>>>> was it!

>>>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

>>>>> tried.

>>>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>>>> Restore

>>>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode

>>>>> (which

>>>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>>>> (momentarily)

>>>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install just

>>>>> fine

>>>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>>>> Norton's

>>>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>>>> avail.

>>>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>>>> Programs

>>>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>>>> Overall

>>>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>>>> Spyware

>>>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or

>>>>> SAS yet

>>>>> but I will.

>>>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and

>>>>> all

>>>>> it

>>>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>>>

>>>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to

>>>>> shut

>>>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was

>>>>> in the

>>>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it

>>>>> down but

>>>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>>>> Manager

>>>>> shows nothing running.

>>>>>

>>>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then

>>>>> try to

>>>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install

>>>>> CCleaner

>>>>> (I

>>>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet

>>>>> files

>>>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I hate

>>>>> that

>>>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the

>>>>> machine

>>>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be

>>>>> able to

>>>>> get it re-installed.

>>>>>

>>>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with

>>>>> Firefox

>>>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>>>> screwing

>>>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the

>>>>> first one

>>>>> to

>>>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they work.

>>>>>

>>>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>>>> don't

>>>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

>>>>> phone

>>>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>>>

>>>> Hi Paul,

>>>>

>>>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

>>>> delete

>>>> it, then try opening FF again.

>>>>

>>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>>>

>>>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>>>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You could

>>>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>>>

>>>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> Terry R.

>>>> --

>>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.



Since IE shortcuts don't work, maybe no shortcut is working.. that could

explain why Firefox doesn't open, but the special IE shortcut does. Try

the .lnk association fix here:



Fix File Associations.

http://dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm



--

Joe =o)
 
Thanks, Elmo for your remarks. Actually only the browser icons (IE and FF)

wouldn't work. Google Chrome worked also. All others were always fine. Paul

C



"Elmo" wrote in message

news:O#avAg8wKHA.4636@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Paul Calcagno wrote:

>> Hi Terry. Thanks for your comments. Here's this situation. After

>> trying many things today I uninstalled FF (used both Add/Remove and Revo

>> Uninstaller) and then did fresh install. Still won't open up.

>> I never found any parent.lock files in either profile. There were also

>> no folders in the Firefox program files called Updates so nothing to do

>> there. I could not find a way to even access the Norton firewall options

>> so that was a bust.

>>

>> IE is now running fine. Turns out the IE shortcuts on the desktop were

>> not working but when I found a quick launch one in Programs, it opens

>> just fine. So now IE and Chrome browsers are working but FF refuses to

>> open. When I did the FF update it was NOT a custom install so I haven't

>> a clue what happened.

>> Another helper (thecreator) says I should have done the restart when FF

>> requested it and that just simply doing a restart now should return FF

>> and IE (shortcuts) back to their original working condition, but this is

>> simply not the case. Going thru all of this I've done almost a dozen

>> restarts (which all work fine) but FF won't open. These folks I'm doing

>> this for could care less about whether FF opens so I'm inclined to throw

>> in the towel at this point and vow to never ignore what the FF updater

>> says.

>>

>> Paul C.

>>

>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>> news:#OOEb04wKHA.5132@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>> On 3/13/2010 2:48 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the

>>> keyboard

>>>

>>>> Terry,

>>>> I'll try looking in the FF Profile Folder for the `parent.lock' file.

>>>> I

>>>> understand that FF creates the file, then is supposed to delete it

>>>> when it

>>>> closes but sometimes it doesn't, which can cause the issue of it not

>>>> opening

>>>> the next time.

>>>>

>>>> I had mentioned to you that this machine has 2 User Profiles, 1 for the

>>>> husband and 1 for the wife. Do I need to delete the parent.lock file

>>>> in each

>>>> user profile in order to get FF to open?

>>>

>>> If it exists in each one, then yes. That file is usually removed by

>>> FF upon exit, so an abnormal exit will cause the file to remain.

>>>

>>>> When I did the FF Update I only did it in one of the User Profiles.

>>>> So FF in

>>>> the other profile is likely to be the older version but I'm not sure

>>>> about

>>>> that too because of my User profile ignorance. And, of course, I

>>>> can't find

>>>> out about the versions because I can't open FF in either profile.

>>>> Would

>>>> this issue of 2 different FF versions in each User profile be causing a

>>>> problem too, separate from the parent.lock file issue?

>>>>

>>>> Paul C.

>>>

>>> The profiles and the program are completely separate. Updating the

>>> program has nothing to do with the profiles, and any profile will use

>>> the updated program. Unless you performed a custom install and

>>> created a separate profile to launch for that custom install.

>>>

>>> The link I gave you regarding profiles should have all the links

>>> needed to learn everything you know.

>>>

>>> If you post on the mozilla newsgroup, I subscribe there also, but the

>>> answers will be the same.

>>>

>>> Again, none of this will have any bearing on IE. What version are you

>>> currently using of IE?

>>>

>>>

>>>>

>>>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>>>> news:ecOcBTnwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>> On 3/12/2010 1:41 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the

>>>>> keyboard

>>>>>

>>>>>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state

>>>>>> where

>>>>>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works

>>>>>> fine to

>>>>>> get

>>>>>> to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>>>>>> 3.5.8

>>>>>> to

>>>>>> Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That

>>>>>> was it!

>>>>>> After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

>>>>>> tried.

>>>>>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>>>>>> Restore

>>>>>> in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode

>>>>>> (which

>>>>>> would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>>>>>> (momentarily)

>>>>>> able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to install

>>>>>> just

>>>>>> fine

>>>>>> but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried disabling all of

>>>>>> Norton's

>>>>>> apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then re-installing Firefox to no

>>>>>> avail.

>>>>>> I tried going the the actual Firefox Ver 3.6 application file in My

>>>>>> Programs

>>>>>> and creating a new shortcut from the App file. None of that worked.

>>>>>> Overall

>>>>>> system response time seems just fine so I don't suspect Malware or

>>>>>> Spyware

>>>>>> but I'm not sure. Haven't had a chance to install and run MBAM or

>>>>>> SAS yet

>>>>>> but I will.

>>>>>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and

>>>>>> all

>>>>>> it

>>>>>> did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to

>>>>>> shut

>>>>>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was

>>>>>> in the

>>>>>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it

>>>>>> down but

>>>>>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>>>>>> Manager

>>>>>> shows nothing running.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then

>>>>>> try to

>>>>>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install

>>>>>> CCleaner

>>>>>> (I

>>>>>> have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet

>>>>>> files

>>>>>> works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I

>>>>>> hate

>>>>>> that

>>>>>> *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since the

>>>>>> machine

>>>>>> owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may never be

>>>>>> able to

>>>>>> get it re-installed.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with

>>>>>> Firefox

>>>>>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>>>>>> screwing

>>>>>> up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the

>>>>>> first one

>>>>>> to

>>>>>> admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how they

>>>>>> work.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>>>>>> don't

>>>>>> come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

>>>>>> phone

>>>>>> support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>>>>>>

>>>>> Hi Paul,

>>>>>

>>>>> Look in the FF profile for a file named parent.lock. If it exists,

>>>>> delete

>>>>> it, then try opening FF again.

>>>>>

>>>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

>>>>>

>>>>> Most of the time, issues with FF are profile related, not with the

>>>>> program, so uninstalling and reinstalling don't do any good. You

>>>>> could

>>>>> also try creating a new profile and see if that helps:

>>>>> http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows

>>>>>

>>>>> Of course, neither of these has anything to do with IE...

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>> Terry R.

>>>>> --

>>>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>

> Since IE shortcuts don't work, maybe no shortcut is working.. that could

> explain why Firefox doesn't open, but the special IE shortcut does. Try

> the .lnk association fix here:

>

> Fix File Associations.

> http://dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

>

> --

> Joe =o)
 
I wish you were correct but it doesn't look that way. I've done multiple

reboots while trying out all that's been suggested and never once would FF

open up. Not even after a thorough uninstall followed by a clean install.



I'm still kinda thinking that either Norton or Spydoctor might be involved,

although when I disabled Spydoctor using Task Manager to end the process, FF

still wouldn't open. The only other thing I can think of is to delete of the

2 profiles that exist since both of the folks running this computer mostly

use only one. I've gotten conflicting advice regarding the involvement of

profiles. One person said most failure-to-start problems with FF are profile

related while someone else says that updating FF like I tried is not

affected by the multiple existing profiles. Not sure who to believe.

As a follow up to someone else's query, the machine in question is running

IE6 but I can't imagine that would be related to FF not opening.



PaulC.



"thecreator" wrote in message

news:e8C6LE6wKHA.1176@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Hi Paul,

>

> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the computer

> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the computer.

> The installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet

> Explorer, but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer

> to return to normal.

>

>

> --

> thecreator

>

>

>

> "Paul Calcagno" wrote in message

> news:eFeN1yiwKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> My friend's WinXp computer, SP3, 2 GB RAM, Norton AV is in a state where

>> neither Firefox nor IE7 will open. However, Google Chrome works fine to

>> get to the internet. This all started while updating Firefox from Ver

>> 3.5.8 to Ver 3.6. At the restart now or later prompt-I chose later. That

>> was it! After that I couldn't open either Firefox or IE not matter what I

>> tried.

>> So far I've uninstalled Firefox using Add/Remove then did a System

>> Restore in Safe mode (which restored correctly) as well as in Normal mode

>> (which would not do the restore). After the Safe Mode Restore I was

>> (momentarily) able to open IE and download Firefox Ver 3.6. I seemed to

>> install just fine but clicking the desktop icon did nothing. I tried

>> disabling all of Norton's apps (AV, antispyware, etc..,) and then

>> re-installing Firefox to no avail. I tried going the the actual Firefox

>> Ver 3.6 application file in My Programs and creating a new shortcut from

>> the App file. None of that worked. Overall system response time seems

>> just fine so I don't suspect Malware or Spyware but I'm not sure. Haven't

>> had a chance to install and run MBAM or SAS yet but I will.

>> I'm out of ideas. I tried something I've done before many times and all

>> it did was disable IE and Firefox.

>>

>> Every time I do a restart I get a message that Firefox is trying to shut

>> down, leading me to believe it's running in the background or was in the

>> process of trying to open up. It appears to be trying to shut it down but

>> ends up failing so I have to force it off with an `End Task'. Task

>> Manager shows nothing running.

>>

>> I can try uninstalling Firefox 3.6 using REVO uninstaller and then try to

>> re-install a fresh copy of Firefox Ver 3.6. I could also install CCleaner

>> (I have it on a flash drive) and seeing if cleaning up Temp Internet

>> files works. Does anyone think Norton could be hosing something up? I

>> hate that *&^%((((##@@ program but I'm loath to uninstall Norton since

>> the machine owner bought his copy online and downloaded it so we may

>> never be able to get it re-installed.

>>

>> Another possible factor: This machine has 2 user profiles, with Firefox

>> installed in both. Maybe the issues with Firefox in one profile is

>> screwing up the firefox application in the other profile. But I'd be the

>> first one to admit that I know exactly squat about User profiles and how

>> they work.

>>

>> Anyone have any ideas how to get these 2 browsers working again? If I

>> don't come up with any solutions I may have to call Mozilla and get some

>> phone support. Thanks in advance......Paul C.

>

>
 
On 3/14/2010 11:06 AM On a whim, thecreator pounded out on the keyboard



> Hi Paul,

>

> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the computer

> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the computer. The

> installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet Explorer,

> but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to return

> to normal.

>

>



I have used FF since it was beta and I have NEVER had it prompt to

reboot. I have also installed it on hundreds of other machines. I have

no idea what you are talking about.





Terry R.

--

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
On 3/14/2010 3:35 PM On a whim, Paul Calcagno pounded out on the keyboard



> Hi Terry. Thanks for your comments. Here's this situation. After trying

> many things today I uninstalled FF (used both Add/Remove and Revo

> Uninstaller) and then did fresh install. Still won't open up.

> I never found any parent.lock files in either profile. There were also no

> folders in the Firefox program files called Updates so nothing to do there.

> I could not find a way to even access the Norton firewall options so that

> was a bust.

>

> IE is now running fine. Turns out the IE shortcuts on the desktop were not

> working but when I found a quick launch one in Programs, it opens just fine.

> So now IE and Chrome browsers are working but FF refuses to open. When I

> did the FF update it was NOT a custom install so I haven't a clue what

> happened.

> Another helper (thecreator) says I should have done the restart when FF

> requested it and that just simply doing a restart now should return FF and

> IE (shortcuts) back to their original working condition, but this is simply

> not the case. Going thru all of this I've done almost a dozen restarts

> (which all work fine) but FF won't open. These folks I'm doing this for

> could care less about whether FF opens so I'm inclined to throw in the towel

> at this point and vow to never ignore what the FF updater says.

>

> Paul C.

>



Hi Paul,



I wouldn't think uninstalling and installing the program would make any

difference. The majority of the time the issue is profile related.



I would right click on the shortcut for firefox, and add a space and a

-p after the Target line, so it would look like this:



"E:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -p



(where E is the drive FF is installed on)



Then create a brand new profile and launch it. See if it will at least

come up.



The poster suggesting a reboot was required was wrong. Windows does not

need to be restarted. FF ALWAYS needs to be restarted when using the

update method, but not Windows. I usually download the full version and

install it that way because updates screw up from time to time.





Terry R.

--

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Terry, I think what thecreator was talking about was when my FF update

completed, a small window came up asking me to restart now or later, and I

chose later. Thecreator is saying this caused my issue of FF not wanting to

start. This doesn't sound correct to me only because I've done many FF

updates and it never mattered when I rebooted whether it was on XP or Vista.



Do you think running Chkdsk would help free things up so that FF would open

up?............Paul C.







"Terry R." wrote in message

news:OtTPTd9wKHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> On 3/14/2010 11:06 AM On a whim, thecreator pounded out on the keyboard

>

>> Hi Paul,

>>

>> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the

>> computer

>> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

>> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the computer.

>> The

>> installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet

>> Explorer,

>> but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to

>> return

>> to normal.

>>

>>

>

> I have used FF since it was beta and I have NEVER had it prompt to reboot.

> I have also installed it on hundreds of other machines. I have no idea

> what you are talking about.

>

>

> Terry R.

> --

> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
On 3/14/2010 9:26 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

> Terry, I think what thecreator was talking about was when my FF update

> completed, a small window came up asking me to restart now or later, and

> I chose later. Thecreator is saying this caused my issue of FF not

> wanting to start. This doesn't sound correct to me only because I've

> done many FF updates and it never mattered when I rebooted whether it

> was on XP or Vista.

>

> Do you think running Chkdsk would help free things up so that FF would

> open up?............Paul C.

>

>

>

> "Terry R." wrote in message

> news:OtTPTd9wKHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> On 3/14/2010 11:06 AM On a whim, thecreator pounded out on the keyboard

>>

>>> Hi Paul,

>>>

>>> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the computer

>>> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

>>> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the

>>> computer. The

>>> installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet

>>> Explorer,

>>> but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to

>>> return

>>> to normal.

>>>

>>>

>>

>> I have used FF since it was beta and I have NEVER had it prompt to

>> reboot. I have also installed it on hundreds of other machines. I have

>> no idea what you are talking about.

>>

>>

>> Terry R.

>> --

>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>

Running Chkdsk is something that should be done routinely, especially on

the boot drive (c: usually). Make sure to accept the prompt to run it at

reboot.



I very much doubt it will solve your problem, but at least, one of the

possible problems will have been eliminated.



Regarding the prompt to reboot from FF, the only time such a suggestion

will be made by the program is when a profile is not found/defective,

and FF states (mistakenly most of the time) that FF is already running.

Rebooting does not help in that case.



Running a AV program also is a necessity before doing any

troubleshooting on this issue.



I already mentioned this, but I really believe in a step by step

troubleshooting approach. Which means that, most often, I would not use

System Restore. I would only use it when I purposely created a restore

point (meaning I know what the system will look if I restore it to that

point). Otherwise, it is a huge gamble which may give unpredictable

results and make it even more difficult to troubleshoot.



--

John Doue
 
John,

I'll try one last time to make the series of events clear. I had FF open on

this WinXP system and an `Update FF' window popped up. I said yes to the

update and when the update finished I was prompted to either restart now or

later. This last prompt ALWAYS happens to me on any OS whenever I've updated

FF.

I chose to update later and then the problems with FF not opening began. You

make it sound like being prompted to reboot now or later is not common after

an update and my take is it always happens. I have FF 3.6 on this Vista HP

machine I'm using to write this post and when the last FF update was offered

it also asked me if I wanted to reboot now or later. Paul C.



"John Doue" wrote in message

news:#VZypZDxKHA.2436@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> On 3/14/2010 9:26 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

>> Terry, I think what thecreator was talking about was when my FF update

>> completed, a small window came up asking me to restart now or later, and

>> I chose later. Thecreator is saying this caused my issue of FF not

>> wanting to start. This doesn't sound correct to me only because I've

>> done many FF updates and it never mattered when I rebooted whether it

>> was on XP or Vista.

>>

>> Do you think running Chkdsk would help free things up so that FF would

>> open up?............Paul C.

>>

>>

>>

>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>> news:OtTPTd9wKHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> On 3/14/2010 11:06 AM On a whim, thecreator pounded out on the keyboard

>>>

>>>> Hi Paul,

>>>>

>>>> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the computer

>>>> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

>>>> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the

>>>> computer. The

>>>> installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet

>>>> Explorer,

>>>> but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to

>>>> return

>>>> to normal.

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>> I have used FF since it was beta and I have NEVER had it prompt to

>>> reboot. I have also installed it on hundreds of other machines. I have

>>> no idea what you are talking about.

>>>

>>>

>>> Terry R.

>>> --

>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>>

> Running Chkdsk is something that should be done routinely, especially on

> the boot drive (c: usually). Make sure to accept the prompt to run it at

> reboot.

>

> I very much doubt it will solve your problem, but at least, one of the

> possible problems will have been eliminated.

>

> Regarding the prompt to reboot from FF, the only time such a suggestion

> will be made by the program is when a profile is not found/defective, and

> FF states (mistakenly most of the time) that FF is already running.

> Rebooting does not help in that case.

>

> Running a AV program also is a necessity before doing any troubleshooting

> on this issue.

>

> I already mentioned this, but I really believe in a step by step

> troubleshooting approach. Which means that, most often, I would not use

> System Restore. I would only use it when I purposely created a restore

> point (meaning I know what the system will look if I restore it to that

> point). Otherwise, it is a huge gamble which may give unpredictable

> results and make it even more difficult to troubleshoot.

>

> --

> John Doue
 
On 3/15/2010 10:08 AM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

> John,

> I'll try one last time to make the series of events clear. I had FF open

> on this WinXP system and an `Update FF' window popped up. I said yes to

> the update and when the update finished I was prompted to either restart

> now or later. This last prompt ALWAYS happens to me on any OS whenever

> I've updated FF.

> I chose to update later and then the problems with FF not opening began.

> You make it sound like being prompted to reboot now or later is not

> common after an update and my take is it always happens. I have FF 3.6

> on this Vista HP machine I'm using to write this post and when the last

> FF update was offered it also asked me if I wanted to reboot now or

> later. Paul C.

>

> "John Doue" wrote in message

> news:#VZypZDxKHA.2436@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> On 3/14/2010 9:26 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

>>> Terry, I think what thecreator was talking about was when my FF update

>>> completed, a small window came up asking me to restart now or later, and

>>> I chose later. Thecreator is saying this caused my issue of FF not

>>> wanting to start. This doesn't sound correct to me only because I've

>>> done many FF updates and it never mattered when I rebooted whether it

>>> was on XP or Vista.

>>>

>>> Do you think running Chkdsk would help free things up so that FF would

>>> open up?............Paul C.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>>> news:OtTPTd9wKHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> On 3/14/2010 11:06 AM On a whim, thecreator pounded out on the keyboard

>>>>

>>>>> Hi Paul,

>>>>>

>>>>> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the computer

>>>>> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

>>>>> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the

>>>>> computer. The

>>>>> installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet

>>>>> Explorer,

>>>>> but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to

>>>>> return

>>>>> to normal.

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>> I have used FF since it was beta and I have NEVER had it prompt to

>>>> reboot. I have also installed it on hundreds of other machines. I have

>>>> no idea what you are talking about.

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> Terry R.

>>>> --

>>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>>>

>> Running Chkdsk is something that should be done routinely, especially

>> on the boot drive (c: usually). Make sure to accept the prompt to run

>> it at reboot.

>>

>> I very much doubt it will solve your problem, but at least, one of the

>> possible problems will have been eliminated.

>>

>> Regarding the prompt to reboot from FF, the only time such a

>> suggestion will be made by the program is when a profile is not

>> found/defective, and FF states (mistakenly most of the time) that FF

>> is already running. Rebooting does not help in that case.

>>

>> Running a AV program also is a necessity before doing any

>> troubleshooting on this issue.

>>

>> I already mentioned this, but I really believe in a step by step

>> troubleshooting approach. Which means that, most often, I would not

>> use System Restore. I would only use it when I purposely created a

>> restore point (meaning I know what the system will look if I restore

>> it to that point). Otherwise, it is a huge gamble which may give

>> unpredictable results and make it even more difficult to troubleshoot.

>>

>> --

>> John Doue

>

Paul, I am sorry but this is not my experience.I have no idea why this

happens to you. Is there anything in your set-up (add-ons especially)

that might cause this?



Anyway, I do not claim to be an expert in FF and, again, I suggest you

subscribe to the NG I indicated. I am convinced someone will be able to

make sense of your problems and help you solve them, better than I could.



--

John Doue
 
John, thanks again for all your comments and expertise. The last thing I'm

going to try is to see if I can't open FF in Safe Mode. I forgot to do that

the last time I was in front of that XP machine. Also, I'd like to see about

creating a new profile for FF but frankly, the directions for how to migrate

over the elements of the current profile to the new one are scary and I'm

really afraid of making a manageable situation even uglier. Paul C.



"John Doue" wrote in message

news:u2DmCEFxKHA.5340@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> On 3/15/2010 10:08 AM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

>> John,

>> I'll try one last time to make the series of events clear. I had FF open

>> on this WinXP system and an `Update FF' window popped up. I said yes to

>> the update and when the update finished I was prompted to either restart

>> now or later. This last prompt ALWAYS happens to me on any OS whenever

>> I've updated FF.

>> I chose to update later and then the problems with FF not opening began.

>> You make it sound like being prompted to reboot now or later is not

>> common after an update and my take is it always happens. I have FF 3.6

>> on this Vista HP machine I'm using to write this post and when the last

>> FF update was offered it also asked me if I wanted to reboot now or

>> later. Paul C.

>>

>> "John Doue" wrote in message

>> news:#VZypZDxKHA.2436@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>> On 3/14/2010 9:26 PM, Paul Calcagno wrote:

>>>> Terry, I think what thecreator was talking about was when my FF update

>>>> completed, a small window came up asking me to restart now or later,

>>>> and

>>>> I chose later. Thecreator is saying this caused my issue of FF not

>>>> wanting to start. This doesn't sound correct to me only because I've

>>>> done many FF updates and it never mattered when I rebooted whether it

>>>> was on XP or Vista.

>>>>

>>>> Do you think running Chkdsk would help free things up so that FF would

>>>> open up?............Paul C.

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> "Terry R." wrote in message

>>>> news:OtTPTd9wKHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>>> On 3/14/2010 11:06 AM On a whim, thecreator pounded out on the

>>>>> keyboard

>>>>>

>>>>>> Hi Paul,

>>>>>>

>>>>>> The biggest mistake you made, was not to reboot / restart the

>>>>>> computer

>>>>>> when it ask you to. FireFox 3.6 requires you to reboot the computer.

>>>>>> Otherwise, you can't use Firefox until after you rebooted the

>>>>>> computer. The

>>>>>> installation of Firefox, doesn't harm the installation of Internet

>>>>>> Explorer,

>>>>>> but you needed to reboot, both for FireFox and Internet Explorer to

>>>>>> return

>>>>>> to normal.

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>> I have used FF since it was beta and I have NEVER had it prompt to

>>>>> reboot. I have also installed it on hundreds of other machines. I have

>>>>> no idea what you are talking about.

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>> Terry R.

>>>>> --

>>>>> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

>>>>> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

>>>>

>>> Running Chkdsk is something that should be done routinely, especially

>>> on the boot drive (c: usually). Make sure to accept the prompt to run

>>> it at reboot.

>>>

>>> I very much doubt it will solve your problem, but at least, one of the

>>> possible problems will have been eliminated.

>>>

>>> Regarding the prompt to reboot from FF, the only time such a

>>> suggestion will be made by the program is when a profile is not

>>> found/defective, and FF states (mistakenly most of the time) that FF

>>> is already running. Rebooting does not help in that case.

>>>

>>> Running a AV program also is a necessity before doing any

>>> troubleshooting on this issue.

>>>

>>> I already mentioned this, but I really believe in a step by step

>>> troubleshooting approach. Which means that, most often, I would not

>>> use System Restore. I would only use it when I purposely created a

>>> restore point (meaning I know what the system will look if I restore

>>> it to that point). Otherwise, it is a huge gamble which may give

>>> unpredictable results and make it even more difficult to troubleshoot.

>>>

>>> --

>>> John Doue

>>

> Paul, I am sorry but this is not my experience.I have no idea why this

> happens to you. Is there anything in your set-up (add-ons especially) that

> might cause this?

>

> Anyway, I do not claim to be an expert in FF and, again, I suggest you

> subscribe to the NG I indicated. I am convinced someone will be able to

> make sense of your problems and help you solve them, better than I could.

>

> --

> John Doue
 
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