In fact if the problem was not related to Firefox you could copy all or part of your wifes profile and thus have a system much like it used to be. If the problem

• did relate to Firefox - just copy places.sqlite
• was with History & bookmarks, - just use a working backup bookmark file from the backups folder within the profile
  (Firefox creates these automatically)

If the problem also related to Firefox not working and to answer your original question the file is places.sqlite. Note however that places, is a database including a lot of information. It includes history. It includes bookmarks and associated data such as descriptions, tags, keywords and how frequently or recently that site was accessed. The 'frecency is used in the awesomebar choices

Note as mentioned above that snapshot backup files of bookmarks are also created within the Firefox profile.

The default location of the profile in Windows 7 is *"%APPDATA%\Mozilla\"

The profile is easily accessed from a running Firefox, it is a bit more difficult to find otherwise. see

• Recover lost or missing Bookmarks
• Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Places.sqlite
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder

Please post back with how you get on or if you need more help.

The "Application Data" folder in XP/Win2K and the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista and later Windows 7+ versions are hidden folders.

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

• C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\

I do not have on operating operating system, I must go into the drive using another computer and am lost without a directory path

SF

Which Operating System is running on your wife's computer?

For Windows Vista and later you can use the path that I posted above.

• C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\

Note that AppData is a hidden folder, so make sure that you can see hidden folders.

See also:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

Hi sandyfuller,

I keep forgetting about the roaming profiles, they were not as important in XP that I was used to using.

• this is some background info
  http://superuser.com/questions/150012/what-is-the-difference-between-local-and-roaming-folders

Most importantly is the need to be able to find hidden files.

• see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders#Windows

Even if you are using an external OS to search the old hdd you ought to be able to find the file without knowing the path, it will just take longer. Of course you need to be able to access the disk, but with any luck there will not be any other files on the system named places.sqlite.
(If there were multiple users e.g. you and your wife then there will be multiple profiles, and therefore multiple files.)