Still works for me in Firefox 40.0.2 on Win7.

See what happens in the Firefox SafeMode.

I toyed with Safe Mode and went back and forth. turned out that an old theme I used and made may have been the culprit.

actually, it was a persona, not an actual theme, per se. it was created back when personas was a separate entity until the theme integration. a persona wasn't an actual theme, but a background image, so it doesn't entirely modify the appearance or function of the window, until this happened. I do recall that a new functionality with tabs is mentioned with this update. I wonder if this is a conflict with the old tabs feature and how my window works? I haven't even used it, much less know what's different and how it should be affecting things when I've never needed anything else.

for the moment, I am stuck with using the default theme. my old theme was originally designed around 3.5 - 3.6, but it had been used with no problems up to now. so, this is the first time something that was integrated into Firefox has created that issue. you probably don't notice the difference, because you either are using themes which are based on newer versions and parameters, or you don't use them at all (staying with the default).

it also resolved another issue I had at the same time, so I am sure it is not exactly any of my other add-ons/extensions.

I'm hoping there is a fix to this, because this would be a problem. I may have to be forced to do a remake, but I also have many other themes I've subscribed to. that might force all themes to be updated with whatever changes reflect it by their respective authors, if any are around to do the work.

EDIT: somehow I was able to switch back to my old theme, and it seems to be resolved for the moment. I am not sure what was going on. maybe it was a manual refresh kind of thing? I'm still on watch. it might go back to what it was doing again.

EDIT2: it had another hiccup again. I'm guessing it will fluctuate, since it's inconsistent. there really needs to be a good fix for this.

Contact the theme developer - any fix will need to be from him / her.

you mean the "themes" theme developer, or the people that created the themes?

if it's the latter, I'd have to individually contact them, which is more cumbersome for the user, generally speaking. I have a bunch in a collection, so that takes more work to adjust something they might not be able to fix. generally, all they do is provide background images to the theme itself, rather than affecting any buttons or that sort of thing.

the other problem I had, which relates to this, is that the F11 or the full screen option would not work. it seems to be affected by the same issue, because both functions will still work in Safe Mode, but it is still wonky with the normal browser. I have a feeling that it is actually the way they may have changed coding on custom themes, where they probably didn't need to. if it's a vulnerability, that is the only thing that should be fixed. if it's affecting the function of the browser, what is the point?

I use one lightweight theme / "Persona" - Firefox A by Mozilla - to help me visually identify the Profiles where I am using Sync. The way I configure Firefox in my 'working' Profiles, there's no space for a background image. No Titlebar or Bookmarks Toolbar; only the Tab Bar and the Navigation Toolbar. I reduce the "UI" to a minimum. As I recall from when "Personas" became "lightweight themes", Firefox saves just one "lightweight theme" where previously it would save 3 or 5 - any more than that and an extension was needed.

How are you running multiple lightweight themes? A "personas rotator" or similar? [Thus saved "locally".] Maybe that could be causing the intermittent issue. Or just selecting a "new" lightweight theme which is then downloaded from AMO again?

A full listing of your Troubleshooting Information, as was requested when you started this thread, would have been nice.

Firefox SafeMode disables hardware acceleration in addition to themes & extensions, along with certain other prefs. Recently each new Firefox version release has had 'tweaks' for graphics compatibility that can affect 'edge case' drivers when hardware acceleration is enabled. How up to date are your graphics drivers?

How old is your Firefox Profile? Have you considered creating a new Profile? Or at least tried a "Refresh"?

the-edmeister said

I use one lightweight theme / "Persona" - Firefox A by Mozilla - to help me visually identify the Profiles where I am using Sync. The way I configure Firefox in my 'working' Profiles, there's no space for a background image. No Titlebar or Bookmarks Toolbar; only the Tab Bar and the Navigation Toolbar. I reduce the "UI" to a minimum. As I recall from when "Personas" became "lightweight themes", Firefox saves just one "lightweight theme" where previously it would save 3 or 5 - any more than that and an extension was needed.

---

How are you running multiple lightweight themes? A "personas rotator" or similar? [Thus saved "locally".] Maybe that could be causing the intermittent issue. Or just selecting a "new" lightweight theme which is then downloaded from AMO again?

A full listing of your Troubleshooting Information, as was requested when you started this thread, would have been nice.

Firefox SafeMode disables hardware acceleration in addition to themes & extensions, along with certain other prefs. Recently each new Firefox version release has had 'tweaks' for graphics compatibility that can affect 'edge case' drivers when hardware acceleration is enabled. How up to date are your graphics drivers?

How old is your Firefox Profile? Have you considered creating a new Profile? Or at least tried a "Refresh"?

I have a personas rotator. however,since I've had it, the rotator isn't rotating since I forced it to (not a bug, it was my custom setting to keep it from rotating - it actually still does work normally). it isn't, and shouldn't be rotating. it is still in the same stasis as it's always been.

the theme plugin itself seems to still be the issue. it might be some kind of compatibility glitch. if I am not using the default, the problem persists. the default would be forced either when I change it manually*, use Safe Mode, or use Private Mode. Safe Mode and Private Mode still functions like the normal browser without this issue, because the particular theme isn't being used. same thing if I have manually switched to the default theme in the regular browser. in Private Mode and the regular browser, the rotator is still available, even though default is still forced, so it is effectively rendered useless somewhat. it doesn't disable other add-ons either. so, I would be confident that the rotator itself isn't really affecting anything.

the theme I created, and others I've picked does operate at times without an issue, but it mostly doesn't currently unless I switch to the default. I've confirmed they still exist on the site they're hosted in, so it's not mismatched. if it's hosted locally, it would probably be in the cache. it is otherwise directed to an online source, as shown in about:config. hardware acceleration does nothing. it doesn't affect anything, and didn't fix the issue. graphics drivers are up to date as they could be from this week. I've even checked again, and the issue hasn't changed.

I'm not aware of any prior request of my parameters and plugins, but even if you're requesting it, that should already be on this question thread (first thing I did was press the green button, but it took refreshing the page to get the plugin to work as I also apparently have to do it every time I write a question. apparently, it's not Silverlight). I am seeing it, so apparently you either missed it, or you're not seeing it on your end. I only requested information on whether there was a parameter in about:config that I had to confirm or change to see what the issue is. when I bring up the list with the search terms "theme" "persona" "windows" and "middlemouse", I don't see anything unusual, unless I should be looking at something else. I now know what the issue is, I just can't find the culprit. it may have to be reported as a bug.

I'm just following the advice shown above, so I haven't quite done any relevant troubleshooting steps I don't know about. so far, the above has been done, and reported as failed. save for making a new profile and doing a restart, which I'd rather save as a last resort above all. it would save myself from the hassle in what could be a repeat of the same problem on the first run. I'm just looking for a direct fix to the issue before I'd be willing to end up taking all that time trying to restore things.

also, side note: this may be unrelated, but I've noticed at times when I reopen the browser, it keeps saying "oops" where it seems there was an issue the last time it closed. A) there was no prior error message that popped up indicating s a problem in closing the window, so it is something invisible in the background occurring. B) the tabs that were closed where it would restore the session, were opened before several other tabs had been utilized. I might have been opening yesterday's session for all I know! I may have to find an error log, if it exists. I could hit 2 birds with one stone with that if it happens.

• EDIT: I just found out that even despite using the default (through rotator or the customize window), the problem still exists in the regular browser 1/2 the time. :/

Sorry, I am going to leave this thread for another contributor to help you. I am not making any progress in trying to help you with this issue.

just an update, had an unrelated (sorta) problem regarding a driver update that apparently I had to use a secondary program to patch it, which I totally forgot I had. it resolved that bug in that program. regardless though, no change to the browser, and with the same conditions.

for all purposes, my rotator is even disabled. I even tried to see if Personas Plus was affecting anything, and there were no changes. so far, I know that tweaking themes did some effect, but there is no permanent solution. I have no other plugins and extensions I can find that are enabled and affecting this. I can't think of anything else that would directly change the appearance and functionality of the browser. private and safe mode still work as fine as they should.

well, this is a new one. I should have seen it earlier, but it seems to be affecting another thing.

when it is in this "broken" condition, anything that is downloaded will say "failed" in the download window.

only way I can tell if it is working properly is if I check the status of each download on my end. I am 100% sure it is not from the source, because it is coming from multiple places at a time. I do know that in some of those times, I do get lucky, but in other times, it is not clear which ones are true failures. it seems "failed" is a catch-all or something, because sometimes it's not the case.

when it is in it's working condition, and in private mode (didn't test in safe mode, but it seems safe - no pun intended - to assume that they are all the same), all downloads proceed as normal without a hitch. so, if it is under this bug, whatever it is, that's when I should expect that things will go wrong. again, I have never had a problem until this version was released.

to say the least, knowing this is frustrating. but at least from what I now know the problems I can recap so far when it's bugged:

• there is a possibility it is affected by themes, or affecting themes (results are random)
• F11 or Full Screen options cannot be enabled properly
• minimizing and maximizing windows does not properly render the windows in those respective states
• >>>>> [back and forward buttons (when they can be used) cannot be middle clicked to open them as a new tab]<<<<<< depreciated, as this works now.
• the frequency or pattern of this occurring seems sporadic or random (did not test enough to detect a pattern. I just know that sometimes it is in a bugged condition, and other times I don't have a reason to complain because it's in a normal state (ergo, not bugged at that time).
• "failed" message will appear to downloads, which may or may not be positive failures.
• checking/unchecking hardware acceleration does nothing. graphics are up to date.+

in addition, Private and Safe Mode still generally work without these issues, but of course they have inherent limitations that prevent this problem.

it may or may not be relevant, but I wonder if this "Pocket" thing I keep hearing about has to do with it? I mean, is it necessary to put in "bloatware" (not that I'm saying it is, but that's a behavior of some companies that make software and hardware)? if so, would it be possible if I could get rid of this "Pocket", to test if it could be the culprit. I am generally wary of "features" that leave loose ends because they are not integrative without being enabled. they tend to cause issues to programs, or devices in general.

+if it's already a problem with the drivers themselves, including the old one I had been using for years with no problem until now, then there could be something to that. the crux of that issue though is that I cannot do anything unless those developers make changes I cannot force them to do. my only option is to wait it out if they have a supposed "fix".

You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.

• Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"

You need to close and restart Firefox after toggling this setting.

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

You can check if there is an update for your graphics display driver and check for hardware acceleration related issues.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

cor-el said

You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.

• Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"

You need to close and restart Firefox after toggling this setting.

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

You can check if there is an update for your graphics display driver and check for hardware acceleration related issues.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

again, that was already suggested and tried to no avail. there is no affect to this problem at all. graphics are up to date. checking and unchecking the option did nothing.

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file (bookmarks, history) in the Firefox profile folder.

• Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

cor-el said

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file (bookmarks, history) in the Firefox profile folder.

• Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

ok, from what I got from that, I did a couple things.

first, I tried the addon. apparently, it is a bit useless in itself from what I read in the documentation. in trying it, I found that it didn't really do anything constructively. it appears to have been mentioned that it mainly runs maintenance tasks or adds codes, but in the end all I got from the test was the following:

> Integrity check + The database is sane > Reindex + The database has been reindexed > Orphans expiration + Database cleaned up > Coherence check + The database is coherent > Vacuum Initial database size is 10240 KiB + The database has been vacuumed Final database size is 10240 KiB > Statistics Database size is 10240 KiB user_version is 28 page_size is 32768 cache_size is -2048 journal_mode is wal synchronous is 1 History can store a maximum of 104858 unique pages Table moz_places has 181 records Table moz_historyvisits has 12 records Table moz_inputhistory has 0 records Table moz_hosts has 142 records Table moz_bookmarks has 183 records Table moz_bookmarks_roots has 5 records Table moz_keywords has 1 records Table sqlite_sequence has 1 records Table moz_favicons has 5 records Table moz_anno_attributes has 3 records Table moz_annos has 108 records Table moz_items_annos has 68 records Table sqlite_stat1 has 14 records Index sqlite_autoindex_moz_inputhistory_1 Index sqlite_autoindex_moz_hosts_1 Index sqlite_autoindex_moz_bookmarks_roots_1 Index sqlite_autoindex_moz_keywords_1 Index sqlite_autoindex_moz_favicons_1 Index sqlite_autoindex_moz_anno_attributes_1 Index moz_places_faviconindex Index moz_places_hostindex Index moz_places_visitcount Index moz_places_frecencyindex Index moz_places_lastvisitdateindex Index moz_historyvisits_placedateindex Index moz_historyvisits_fromindex Index moz_historyvisits_dateindex Index moz_bookmarks_itemindex Index moz_bookmarks_parentindex Index moz_bookmarks_itemlastmodifiedindex Index moz_places_url_uniqueindex Index moz_places_guid_uniqueindex Index moz_bookmarks_guid_uniqueindex Index moz_keywords_placepostdata_uniqueindex Index moz_annos_placeattributeindex Index moz_items_annos_itemattributeindex

the other thing I did was delete the places.sqlite* files. turns out that didn't make a difference, except to adjust my history settings. there was some bit about downloading sqlite stuff, but I didn't go on with that path.

the only other thing that appears to work was creating a new profile. as it happens, besides my default profile, I also have what may have been a duplicate from the past when transferring computers (keep in mind, this was years ago). from what I understand of it each profile can be switched at any time like logging onto a computer, or a computer network with different accounts on the same machine. in creating a newer profile, it remains in a fresh state in which this bug did not appear in multiple test runs I've had to restart the browser.

however, this looks more of a bandaid solution. it counters a productive/constructive approach to figuring out what the disease is, in order to help users cure it. in this case, if I wanted to integrate my old files to the new profile as if I started fresh, I have to know what items are apparently "infected", so that I could find a way to restore them (or live with not using them if they aren't that big of a deal). or, it could be inherently an error in the browser for some other reason.

so far, because the removal of places.sqlite* files was one of the files that were not affected by this thing, that knowledge brings me closer, or at least in a step in the right direction, to finding the problem. that means I may have to have some exploring to so, unless anyone has anything specific I should also look at.

ok, new information - I know that Firefox has updated since, but the problem persists. in fact, I encountered what it was now that is causing the entire window to malfunction.

while playing games, I would often use their browser menu to click links for information. this would open the browser to load the page. upon that discovery, that clue followed on to more experimenting on the window behavior, I have concluded the following:

• the bug persists as I would open the application itself, per the icon that rests on my task bar. this is effectively clicking the shortcut that links to the actual application in my folders.

• instead, I would right click to a shortcut in the favorites list (or to open a private browser). aha! no bug.

• further, I concluded that there were no problems of note when I open a shortcut in my folders, even if they are offline pages, or unpublished ones I craft.

• this whole time I would still use my original profile, because even a duplicate still doesn't work unless I start anew. by default, when I do not click a shortcut link, my settings are set so that the browser always opens a blank page, rather than forcing it to load a page.

I've concluded with this new current information that the issue comes up simply because of how the browser is now responding as it loads a blank as I wanted it to since the beginning, as compared to loading any page at startup. I've changed that now to a suitable home page, but considering others like myself who prefer a blank page, I think that would need to be addressed to the development team, or whoever is troubleshooting this bug. it seems less likely that there is anything else since it functions fine with anything else assumed to conflict when that's not the case. more likely, they have no affect or bearing while the bug occurs as well, since this seems to be the root issue.

all I know, is that this had occurred on the update that I originally reported it on, which still persists. in that case, whatever major changes that they had to come to my attention to, may have been put into the function of the browser to cause an issue with loading blank pages. to clarify, unlike what other people have been requesting to simply change their home page or fix it from loading a blank, I just want it to load the blank just without the bug. at least for the moment I have an acceptable alternative, but it doesn't quite make it the same. I might have to get used to it. I wish I had more knowledge of the browser structure to provide the data on this glitch. I'm open to ideas, not other workaround solutions.

Try to use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox title bar.

• "3-bar" menu button > Exit (Power button)
• Windows: File > Exit
• Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox
• Linux: File > Quit

If a plugin used on a web page has focus then this plugin processes the key presses and the keyboard doesn't accept user interface commands.

cor-el said

Try to use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox title bar.

• "3-bar" menu button > Exit (Power button)
• Windows: File > Exit
• Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox
• Linux: File > Quit

---

If a plugin used on a web page has focus then this plugin processes the key presses and the keyboard doesn't accept user interface commands.

closing the browser in any combination in those ways doesn't do anything.

this is not about a problem with a specific web page. this is about when starting up the browser with a home page. the blank page from the settings triggers the glitch. however, as long as a home page is loaded (not a blank one), the browser operates normally. however, I desired to use a blank page, yet the bug reacts to that. I have never had a problem with that feature, but it appears to be broken.

Note that issues can be caused by website making changes to user interface (toolbar).

You can try to open a new window to see if it works in that window.

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

cor-el said

Note that issues can be caused by website making changes to user interface (toolbar). You can try to open a new window to see if it works in that window.

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

• I had changed browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction from 2 to 0

• I had clicked all through dom. disable_window_open_feature. * to user settings from default.

none of that triggered anything. the glitch occurs when it's a blank home page at start up, as opposed to a website hijacking the browser. other than that, having to run an actual webpage as the home page (or a shortcut from my desktop to startup with) at start up does not trigger the glitch. therefore, the browser functions normally that way.

How do you open this blank home page?

Some built-in pages are not normal pages, but are XUL pages. You can check that via the page source.

• Firefox > Web Developer > Page Source
• Tools > Web Developer > Page Source (Ctrl+U)

cor-el said

How do you open this blank home page? Some built-in pages are not normal pages, but are XUL pages. You can check that via the page source.

• Firefox > Web Developer > Page Source
• Tools > Web Developer > Page Source (Ctrl+U)

see image

that being said, I can *create* one, but on account of laziness, I don't bother to use that method to save time on coding despite it being simple html. nothing fancy or any XUL. instead, I have never changed this setting for a long time on the browser, yet this persists this way. it reacts to a blank page. that is, no website or webpage is hijacking the browser. those work normally as they should.