browser.newtab.url not saving reset to default about:newtab
Got hijacked by Delta Search. Successfully removed all Delta extensions, add-ons, deleted user.js file that Delta created, and probably a couple other things done, too. Still left with the about:config not saving the reset to default (about:newtab) that I make to browser.newtab.url. Works fine while Firefox is still open, but reverts back to "userset" and then empty value when Firefox is restarted. It originally had Delta settings there, so I don't get why it got rid of Delta in the value for browser.newtab.url but won't permanently save back to the default so that I can have the quick tabs on each new page.
All Replies (11)
Hello mumof3kiwis, after you reset the browser.newtab.url (in about:config) then close firefox(from File > Exit) and then rename the prefs.js file to prefs.jsOLD (or delete the prefs.js file) in Profile folder.
see for more info : Corrupt or damaged prefs.js file
any luck ?
thank you
Yes, this was helpful in that it did permanently bring back the quick tabs on each new tab page. It used an old setting from quite a long time ago, so I had to manually change some of the quick tab choices back to my favorites. Thanks for the help.
Now that things were running correctly again, or so I thought, I decided to give myself more quick tabs columns/rows and reset them to 4/4 instead of the default 3/3. When I closed Firefox and restarted, I got the same problem as the original question. The value for browser.newtab.url was blank, and the default rows/columns was back to 3/3. This was on a brand new prefs.js file that had just been created by Firefox, so it shouldn't be corrupted. So why is it that I can't make a Permanent change to a value in about:config?
You can still check for problems with preferences and rename or delete the prefs.js file and possible numbered prefs-##.js files and a possible user.js file to reset all prefs to the default value.
Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?
Make sure that it isn't protecting or locking files in the Firefox profile folder and if necessary then remove this folder from scanning.
I thought renaming to pref.jsOLD had sorted the problem. But upon rebooting computer, new tabs still appeared blank, instead of thumbnails. I then have to enter "about: config" and reset "browser.newtab.url". Anyone any ideas?
Is there a file user.js in the Firefox profile folder?
Note that Windows hides some file extensions by default.
Among them are .html and .ini and .js and .txt, so you may only see a name without file extension.
You can see the real file extension (type) if you open the Properties of the file via the right-click context menu.
Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.
My Firefox Profiles folder has 2 sub-folders:
alz8kwgk.default-1360166087984 - modified today's date and time. has no user file.
2nd sub-folder folder: hozeqz4n.default - modified 05/09/2013 contains user.js file with only 4 lines :
user_pref("yahoo.homepage.dontask", true);user_pref("yahoo.ytff.general.dontshowhpoffer", true);user_pref("extentions.y2layers.installId", "229b90ef-b46-4882-90e4-8f6af381cc04"); user_pref("extentions.y2layers.defaultEnableAppsList", "Buzzdock,Buzzdock,"); user_pref("extensions.autoDisableScopes", 14); user_pref("security.csp.enable", false);
That's it. Any further tips?
Not over happy about Booting in Safe Mode.
Dont see anything wrong, related to delta, can you try the searchreset tool.
It installs, and when installed, resets the newtab page, search etc. Then it uninstalls itself, so you wont see it in the addon list.
Tried that. Closed and re-opened Firefox. Got thumbnails on new page ok, so closed and re-opened Firefox again and back to old problem, blank new page. Tried Search Reset again and got message "Search Reset could not be installed because Firefox could not modify the needed file". No closer to a solution. Incidentally, SearchReset 0.3 is now showing in my Add-ons.
Modified by Mike Raw
You can remove (uninstall) the SearchReset extension on the Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions page.
What value shows for the browser.newtab.url pref on the about:config page?
If you do not keep changes after a restart or otherwise have problems with preferences, see:
I have sort of found a solution. Upon opening Firefox, and new page is blank, I go to add-ons and find SearchReset (which is still there). If I disable and immediately enable it, new page comes up with thumbnails. It's ok again the next time I open Firefox, but if I close it and re-open for the 3rd time, new page is blank again. (It's all easier than messing around in about:config) Odd?