See:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

Thanks for the link.

My prefs.js file properties show it is not a read-only file, so that's not the issue; and the file is not corrupted since I can make and save other settings changes in FF that are 'remembered' when I next start up a new FF session. Its only the 'no proxy' setting that is not being saved.

But I went ahead and did the recommended procedure in the article anyways to test; that was to rename prefs.js to prefs.jsOLD and close/restart FF, but same problem. However I had about 8 tabs open and when FF restarted, I noticed that only my home page tab was displaying the "The proxy server is refusing connections" error message. That home page is my iGoogle page. The other tabs all loaded fine as they should have. This makes the problem even more strange.

Ultimately I still had to manually open Tools>Options>Connection Settings to select the "No Proxy" option to get my iGoogle home page to load properly.

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

• Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

I tried starting FF in Safe Mode as suggested, and the proxy issue/error message did not show up. iGoogle page (and other tabs) opened normally as they are supposed to.

When I restart FF normally without safe mode, the proxy warning message reappears.

I use the default theme by default, and I'm not sure which other add on I'm using would be causing this recurring proxy error problem.

If it does work in Safe-mode then disable all extensions and then try to find which is causing it by enabling one at a time until the problem reappears.

• Use "Disable all add-ons" on the Safe mode start window to disable all extensions.
• Close and restart Firefox after each change via "File > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit"; Linux: "File > Quit")

I have tried safe-mode again, disabling all extensions several times, but the problem is reoccurring. I'm getting "The proxy server is refusing connections" error message on my iGoogle home page and sometimes other tabs that are open, such as Yahoo. I am not using a proxy server and have fixed my settings in FF accordingly, but FF resets the settings every time I start a new FF session causing the error to occur again and again. I still have no idea why FF keep resetting the settings to 'with a proxy server'.

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See:

• Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile (be careful not to copy corrupted files)

See:

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

Well that did it! I created a new profile, copied over my settings from my old profile, and FF starts with no more proxy error messages.

Problem solved completely.

Thanks so much....greatly appreciate your assistance with solving this issue.

You're welcome

Just a PS:

The problem has now re-occurred, 2 days after the profile change seemed to fix the problem.

Any further suggestions on fixes appreciated.

Thanks.

Did you try to delete the file prefs.js in the Firefox Profile Folder another time?

If you see other pref-##.js files then delete those as well

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

Do you have security or cleanup software that might corrupt that prefs.js file?

I have deleted prefs.js file again; on restarting FF, this actually magnified the problem, since before, only my iGoogle home page tab would display the proxy error message; now all open tabs display this message.

The only security software running on this Win & PC is Microsoft Security Essentials.

I have tried disabling all add ins and still the problem occurs on FF start up every time. I have the same FF add ins and setup on my Thinkpad and it runs just fine - no incorrect proxy warning messages.

Did you try to change the connection setting to No proxy?

You can find the connection settings in Tools > Options > Advanced : Network : Connection

Did you try Save mode?

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

• Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode
• Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

I have to change the connection setting to No proxy EVERY TIME I start a new FF session - that's the problem here. FF is not saving those settings. I have no proxy, but it thinks I do every time I have to start a new FF session. The only way to connect is manually go in and change the setting to No Proxy.

And yes I already did the safe mode start on default theme just as you described more than once - no solution there for me either.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I think I see Chrome in my future.