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Firefox crashes on startup after recent version upgade

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Firefox crashes on startup, safe mode startup, and trying to send a report. It hasn't worked since I permitted a firefox version upgrade about 3 days ago I'm reduced to using chrome eh! I am willing to reload firefox but wonder if there is a better way than a new install ... to preserve local data (bookmarks, cookies, preferences, etc) There is no submitted report (last was in 2012) but I do have the .extra and .dmp from the last crash (in safe mode) as well as about 20 other attempts to recover. Yes I did a refresh to no avail. I am on Win XP but am sure that is not the issue but as there is a second or two delay after the first window appears before the crash it may be on a net request -- my internet is via an iphone hotspot (obviously working fine for chrome) the first line of the .extra file starts off like this (between >> & <<) >>AdapterVendorID=0x1002 TelemetryEnvironment={"build":{"applicationId":"{ec8030f7-c20a-464f-9b0e-13a3a9e97384}","applicationName":"Firefox","architecture":"x86","buildId":"20151216175450","version":"43.0.1","vendor":"Mozilla","platformVersion":"43.0.1","xpcomAbi":"x86-msvc","hotfixVersion":null},"partner":{"distributionId":null,"distributionVersion":null,"partnerId":null,"distributor":null,"distributorChannel":null,"partnerNames":[]},"system":{"memoryMB":2046,<< full file available on request

Firefox crashes on startup, safe mode startup, and trying to send a report. It hasn't worked since I permitted a firefox version upgrade about 3 days ago I'm reduced to using chrome eh! I am willing to reload firefox but wonder if there is a better way than a new install ... to preserve local data (bookmarks, cookies, preferences, etc) There is no submitted report (last was in 2012) but I do have the .extra and .dmp from the last crash (in safe mode) as well as about 20 other attempts to recover. Yes I did a refresh to no avail. I am on Win XP but am sure that is not the issue but as there is a second or two delay after the first window appears before the crash it may be on a net request -- my internet is via an iphone hotspot (obviously working fine for chrome) the first line of the .extra file starts off like this (between >> & <<) >>AdapterVendorID=0x1002 TelemetryEnvironment={"build":{"applicationId":"{ec8030f7-c20a-464f-9b0e-13a3a9e97384}","applicationName":"Firefox","architecture":"x86","buildId":"20151216175450","version":"43.0.1","vendor":"Mozilla","platformVersion":"43.0.1","xpcomAbi":"x86-msvc","hotfixVersion":null},"partner":{"distributionId":null,"distributionVersion":null,"partnerId":null,"distributor":null,"distributorChannel":null,"partnerNames":[]},"system":{"memoryMB":2046,<< full file available on request

All Replies (4)

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Sorry to hear about the crashes.

Could you check to make sure Firefox is not set to run with any backward compatibility setting? Right-click your Firefox desktop shortcut, click Properties, then the Compatibility tab. Make sure nothing is selected here, since Windows XP is the oldest version that Firefox runs on.

In case your program files became corrupted during the update:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 43.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(C) Rename the program folder as follows:

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in step (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Does a cleanly reinstalled Firefox start up normally??

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \OldFirefox\Plugins
  • \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
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If the above does not help, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?

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Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately neither of the solutions fix the problem. Firefox runs without compatibility set Launching firefox in normal or safe mode brings up the window for about 5 seconds then crashed without any user action ... well ok, maybe I was glaring at it:) I think I would like to try going back to a previous version Any ideas there?

  • can i find a log that tells me what I was running before 43.0.1
  • what older versions are available ... I don't need to go back very far because I generally permit updates as the come in

Again, Thanks for the help :)

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Hi 18Holden, there is an emergency update available, version 43.0.2. It might help if your crashes are caused by Network Access Manager / ForceWare Network Manager (both from Nvidia), or possibly other things, I haven't studied the details. Could you try it?

To update you can use either the "About Firefox" dialog, or download from the following page (scroll down to your preferred language):

https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/