Firefox does not start up!

[Tushman]

My software knowledge on Macs is very limited so I need some help here. I was working on a customer's Mac Book (less than 2 yrs old) and I noticed that her Firefox was not working properly. Everytime I tried to start up the applic. it asks "Firefox crashed previously, do you wish to restore the previous session or start a new one?". No matter which option I choose, I cannot get Firefox to start up!As a Windows user, I would normally start the troubleshooting process by removing any plugins by navigating to the user profile folder. Does Tiger or Leopard have something similar or congruent?As in... C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\ProfilesLet's hear it from you Mac experts - what are some good troubleshooting tips for software?==================================================================While typing this post, I just realized that there is a "safe mode" option for Firefox. Is this option also available for Firefox Mac users? I do not have the laptop with me at this time.

Edited November 11, 2008 by Tushman

[Guest LilBambi]

When you open Finder, you will see the home folder for their account (their username).For extensions:So look in username --> Library --> Application Support --> Firefox --> Profiles --> familiar profile number folder just like in windows and linux.For the Mac, Firefox Safe Mode: Go to Utilities (in the Applications folder), open Terminal and run: Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -safe-modeI think that's right ... brbMaybe it works for others but doesn't work for me. Haven't needed it so I didn't notice. Here's the link at MozillaZine.

[Tushman]

When you open Finder, you will see the home folder for their account (their username).For extensions:So look in username --> Library --> Application Support --> Firefox --> Profiles --> familiar profile number folder just like in windows and linux.For the Mac, Firefox Safe Mode: Go to Utilities (in the Applications folder), open Terminal and run: Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -safe-modeI think that's right ... brbMaybe it works for others but doesn't work for me. Haven't needed it so I didn't notice. Here's the link at MozillaZine.

Ok. So if removing any extra addons does not solve the problem - what would be the normal course of action? Uninstall and re-install Firefox?

[bjf123]

I'd try trashing the prefs file first. I'm not at home, so I don't have my Mac in front of me. I think it's under user name > library > preferences. If that doesn't work, I'd uninstall and reinstall. On the Mac, uninstalling is easy. Simply drag the program icon from the Applications folder to the trash.

[Guest LilBambi]

Thanks bjf123! Tushman, don't forget to copy the bookmarks.html and cookies.txt, signons.txt to a new folder on the desktop when you drop prefs folder in the trash, and then install fresh and overwrite when you drag the new installation, or as bjf123 says, drag'n'drop the Firefox from Applications to the trash before reinstalling.Also there is a folder under Mozilla in Application Data on Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.x) that has extension files in it that you might want to trash as well.

[Scot]

I'm offering a different first step for troubleshooting.Firefox for Mac has a safe mode (just like the Windows version). It's just a little harder to get at. Firefox safe mode launches the browser with all extensions temporarily disabled and with default theme and toolbar settings.. (All installed plugins are used and any changes made to options and preferences remain in effect.) Go to the Utilities folder (in the Applications folder), open Terminal, and paste the following line into the waiting prompt and then press Return:/Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -safe-modeDon't put any checks in any boxes on the dialog screen that opens. Just press the Continue with Safe Mode button.If this lets you get into Firefox properly, you know you have an extension problem of some sort. I would clear cache right away, and check for anything that is auto-loading -- like multiple tabs loading as the default "home page." Also, you can begin to localize the extension causing the problem by selectively turning them back on and restarting Firefox normally -- resorting to safe mode as needed.If this doesn't work, then I would proceed with the other tips in this thread. To me, this is the fastest, easiest first step since extensions have a high probability of being the culprit.-- Scot

[Guest LilBambi]

Yeah, I agree Scot. I did post the safe-mode option earlier but the safe-mode option didn't work for me in Tiger (which I also noted).I take it it works in Leopard though? (Don't have time to go to Leopard right now to test that).

[Scot]

Yeah, I agree Scot. I did post the safe-mode option earlier but the safe-mode option didn't work for me in Tiger (which I also noted).I take it it works in Leopard though? (Don't have time to go to Leopard right now to test that).

Sorry, I somehow missed that bit in your earlier post and I didn't see this latest one right away. Forgot to turn on notification. Yes, I tested Safe Mode again when I made that post. It works in Leopard. It used to work in Tiger, but it's possible the instructions were slightly different for it. Not sure.One of the things that can throw off this sort of thing on the Mac is the path. The path may actually be slightly different in Tiger, or if you put the Firefox app in a folder within the Applications folder, or if an older (or newer) version of Firefox does something slightly different. With instructions like this on the Mac, you sometimes have to mess with the path and then it will work.-- Scot

[Guest LilBambi]

No worries, Scot. Glad it works in Leopard. Maybe it's more a Intel versus PPC thing? Hope you and Cyndy and the kids all had a great Thanksgiving and that you are able to get a bit of a break from your hectic schedule.