SAFE MODE

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

In Firefox Safe mode these changes are effective:

• all extensions are disabled (about:addons)
• default theme is used (no persona)
• userChrome.css and userContent.css are ignored (chrome folder)
• default toolbar layout is used (file: localstore-safe.rdf)
• Javascript JIT compilers are disabled (prefs: javascript.options.*jit)
• hardware acceleration is disabled (Options > Advanced > General)
• plugins are not affected
• preferences are not affected

TEST

You can check the Web Console to see in there is more detail about this issue.

• "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Web Developer
• https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Tools/Web_Console

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

• hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
• press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
• press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the cache and remove the cookies from websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Options/Preferences).

"Clear the cache:

• Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove the cookies" from websites that cause problems.

• Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> "Use custom settings for history" -> Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

• switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Appearance
• do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems

You can remove all data stored in Firefox from a specific domain via "Forget About This Site" in the right-click context menu of an history entry ("History -> Show All History" or "View -> Sidebar -> History").

Using "Forget About This Site" will remove all data stored in Firefox from that domain like bookmarks and history and cookies and passwords and cache and exceptions, so be cautious. If you have a password or other data from that domain that you do not want to lose then make sure to backup this data or make a note.

You can't recover from this 'forget' unless you have a backup of involved files.

If you revisit a 'forgotten' website then data from that website will be saved once again.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-browsing-search-download-history-firefox

Thank you for the replies. I can't use Web console as FF will not open. After trying to uninstall under both my Windows 7 or Safe Mode I receive Error 'couldn't load XPCOM.'

I read support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/943596 and tried uninstalling and reinstalling FF quantum twice. I tried uninstalling using CCleaner. In each case uninstall does not proceed. CPU utilization is at 1%.

I found 2 FF folders, one in C:\Program Files and one in C:\Program Files (x86)\. I've rebooted and turned off any Avast features.

Using steps in support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/uninstall-firefox-from-your-computer I attempted to get helper.exe to run. Nada.

The last stab on that support page says Alternatively run %APPDATA%\Mozilla\, open mozilla folder and del the FF folder. I did that.

Should I try to del both FF folders in each Program Files folder? I still have an uninstall log in the regular Program Files\mozilla FF\Uninstall folder (the x86 uninstall folder just has halper.exe and shortcuts_log.ini). I can also try deleting under Windows Safe Mode.

I know it's New Years... I'm at my wit's end. Can't believe something so simple can be so complicated. If I can uninstall I believe a fresh install of FF quantum should run as it did when I installed and ran it in early Dec. I'd be happy to have no sound, no Reader view is a huge loss.

Thank you for any pointers or suggestions,

Mac

Yes. You can delete the Firefox folder in both 32-bit and 64-bit location.

• (64-bit Firefox) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
• (32-bit Firefox) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

You can try the 32-bit Firefox version if you previously used the 64-bit version.

• https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/

Cor-el thanks so much! I wanted to be sure not to del any logs in case those might be helpful. Deleted both FF folders, went to the download site and chose the 32b but got some MS Register Server has stopped working error. Copied the error data and then saw a 'Hmm, I see you had some problem with install... start over' window. Clicked OK and it installed the 64b FF quantum so FF works, I just have no Reader view again.

Glad I don't have to opt for one of those weird uninstall applications. Really appreciate the hand holding. FF is and has been my browser for years. I'll start researching why reader view isn't working.

Thanks again,

Mac

My bad, I had neglected to re-set reader view to dark, under fonts. In the whirl of computer upgrades, the Quantum no sound issue and holiday struggles I forgot I needed to do that after a fresh install of FF.

Now everything is working perfectly, of course.

Mac