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Windows OS XP crashed, had to be reinstalled, didn't attempt to restore firefox bookmarks until after more than 10 auto backups--any hope to find/restore old bookmarks?

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  • Last reply by John99

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Currently using Windows XP. Operating System files became corrupted, so I had to reinstall...thereby erasing hard drive. (Don't know if it makes a difference, but upon reinstalling the operating system I did change the name of the computer.)

Upon reinstalling firefox old bookmarks were missing. Having other things to do/find for computer, I didn't even attempt to find firefox bookmarks until after more than 10 auto backups had completed on new install.

Are my bookmarks from the old firefox install still out there somewhere? If so, how do I find them and bring them back?

Currently using Windows XP. Operating System files became corrupted, so I had to reinstall...thereby erasing hard drive. (Don't know if it makes a difference, but upon reinstalling the operating system I did change the name of the computer.) Upon reinstalling firefox old bookmarks were missing. Having other things to do/find for computer, I didn't even attempt to find firefox bookmarks until after more than 10 auto backups had completed on new install. Are my bookmarks from the old firefox install still out there somewhere? If so, how do I find them and bring them back?

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I am not sure what backup files you have.
What backup System are you using to restore your HDD ?

  • are you able to retrieve and restore individual files and folders as required ?

Firefox itself does attempt to retain bookmarks, and it also attempts to retain backups of those. Take CARE because if you re-import bookmarks they normally overwrite existing bookmarks so backup any existing bookmarks first. It would be worth backing up current bookmarks as good practice, but also in your circumstances back them up by exporting as HTML, because they will be are likely to be a small set of bookmarks created since the problems, and you will be able to append HTML bookarks to any re-imported bookmarks library.

Firefox stores the bookmarks as a database along with History data, it also creates other backup copies. Do you have access to a backup of a recent Firefox profile ?
If so it is relatively easy to restore bookmarks as they were at that date.