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bookmarks dates are lost when reinstalling firefox

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

Nietzsc
Nietzsc
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Hi, I recently had to format my computer and when I installed firefox all my bookmarks were there but two things happened.

1. All my bookmarks lost the added date, so now all have the same added date

2. A lot of my bookmarks lost their folder location and were transfered to a folder named "Other bookmarks". I'm talking about a lot of bookmarks, so now sorting them again requires a lot of time!

How can this be possible? The purpose of having them syncronized is that if you have a problem and have to reinstall Firefox all of your info is safe and right where you left it. Also, all of the icons are lost, so I have to visit all of my links to have them back.

Is there any way to avoid this problem in the future?

Thanks

Hi, I recently had to format my computer and when I installed firefox all my bookmarks were there but two things happened. 1. All my bookmarks lost the added date, so now all have the same added date 2. A lot of my bookmarks lost their folder location and were transfered to a folder named "Other bookmarks". I'm talking about a lot of bookmarks, so now sorting them again requires a lot of time! How can this be possible? The purpose of having them syncronized is that if you have a problem and have to reinstall Firefox all of your info is safe and right where you left it. Also, all of the icons are lost, so I have to visit all of my links to have them back. Is there any way to avoid this problem in the future? Thanks

All Replies (6)

FredMcD
FredMcD
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The places.sqlite file contains your History and Bookmarks. It could have been contaminated.

Did you install the Firefox profiles from a backup?

Places Maintenance {web link} Allows to run Maintenance tasks on the database that drives Places, the bookmarks and history module behind Firefox.

Open the Add-ons Manager. Locate the add-on and press the Options button. Then follow the directions.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I don't know why Sync would lose folders. That's very inconvenient.

Do you have a backup of your system from before the reformat?

Nietzsc
Nietzsc Question owner
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jscher2000 said

I don't know why Sync would lose folders. That's very inconvenient. Do you have a backup of your system from before the reformat?

Thanks!

I don't have a backup, I had to reinstall Windows and all my software, which is a very tedious task. This isn't the first time that I have to restore my computer and every time that I reinstall Firefox those dates get lost and I end up with bookmarks with the same added date.

It is very frustrating that Firefox has this issue, I think in general they have to improve the overall design of their bookmarks interface. It is very disapointing that we are forced to used a third party software to manage our bookmarks in a more convenient and easy way without worrying about getting them lost or unsorted.

Anyway, I just started using raindrop and it is a lot better with the added bonus of syncing between browsers (chrome and firefox). I guess I just needed to vent out.

Nietzsc
Nietzsc Question owner
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FredMcD said

The places.sqlite file contains your History and Bookmarks. It could have been contaminated. Did you install the Firefox profiles from a backup? Places Maintenance {web link} Allows to run Maintenance tasks on the database that drives Places, the bookmarks and history module behind Firefox. Open the Add-ons Manager. Locate the add-on and press the Options button. Then follow the directions.

No, I just installed Firefox and used sync to retrieve my bookmarks. I assumed that they would be unaffected but to my surprise they were unsorted and with the same added date.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Why don't you save compressed .jsonlz4 backups that are stored in the bookmarkbackups folder?

  • Bookmarks -> Show All Bookmarks -> Import & Backup -> Restore
FredMcD
FredMcD
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Every now and then, make a backup copy of your profile(s). If you were to do this every day, you would not lose much in case you need to restore the profile or part of it.