Originally Posted by kaninelupus

OK - sounds like it might simply be time to create a new FF profile, as it sounds like has become completely corrupted if it won't allow any resets.

BTW - I'm assuming have again gotten rid of AIM, with no more desire to tempt fate ??

Now before guiding you through setting up a new profile in Firefox, do you have any saved passwords? Just asking, as this will require an extra add-in. Let us know and can go from there.

NB: Would also recommend downloading CCleaner and running the Registry cleaner to remove any lingering entries AIM left behind, just to make sure it doesn't continue to interfere

Originally Posted by khaley

I do have a ton of saved passwords in FF, actually.
B.t.w, if the problem isn't caused (this year, this time around) by my having installed AIM and its horrid entries, do you still recommend my running CCleaner?

Originally Posted by kaninelupus

OK - glad to hear things are at least usable, but yes would still recommend using CCleaner. Use to both clear out a little of the rubbish (ie, temp files etc) and still run the Reg cleaner, as uninstalling apps can still leave a lot of crap behind.

Now bear in mind (and this is for others reading afterwards) that none of this is essential for creating a clean profile - some may even prefer to not bring anything over, especially those using multiple profiles for different purposes, such as on a shared computer. The following is for the OP and those needing to create a new profile but still wanting to retain the basics from the old.

Now before getting started, you'll need to make the Profiles folder (or more specifically, the Documents and Settings folder where your profile folder is located) visible. From the Control Panel, open up Folder
Options and ensure both Hidden Files/Folders & System Protected Files/Folders are set as visible (you'll get a prompt on the latter, but fine to OK it).

Now you'll need the password export add-on for FF - have attached to this post for you. Right-click and save to your Desktop to save DL'ing twice (ALL FF add-ins can be installed from local location, simply by drag-and-dropping into FF's main window). Once DL'ed, drag-drop into FF and install.... restart FF.

Now you can option FF Options. n the Security tab, you'll see a new button "Import/Export Passwords" - click and follow the prompts.

Next is time to export your Bookmarks. In the Bookmarks menu, select Organise Bookmarks. Use the Import & Backup tool to export your bookmarks in HTML format to same location exported passwords to (makes sense to keep all these together to make life easier).

Final step is optional, but will allow you to preserve all your browsing history as well. This is where you need to access the actual Profiles folder. Now to make life easier, we'll jump there using the Run console, but the full location on XP is:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
But to make life easier, hit WinKey+R, and paste the following into the text box:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
As you've never set up a custom profile, should only be the one, which will end with ".default", so Open up and locate "places.sqlite" -> copy and paste to same location as other files (will likely have to close FF before it will let you do this).

Now we have your key files, we are ready to set up a new profile. With Firefox closed, again open the Run console and enter firefox.exe -p to open the profile manager. Create a new Profile and start FF using new profile... this is essential to create all the new files/folders in the actual Profiles folder.

Now, firstly again drag-drop Password Exporter into FF -> install and restart FF. This time, use the tool to import all your passwords.

Use the Organise Bookmarks option to import all your bookmarks. Will need to take a couple of minutes afterward to tidy your bookmarks up and delete duplicate core FF folders, but no matter.

Lastly, if you wanted your history, close FF and open the new profile folder and copy-paste the "places.splite" file over the top of the default version.

And there you have it - new profile with all the bits you need retained

Originally Posted by kaninelupus

Just looked over second post. Could be one of two things:

One is malware; the other is that what ever you installed buggered around with your default browser settings, so that when new-pages (or pop-ups) are generated via Firefox, your system is using what it thinks is the default browser (at least for that task).

Simplest way to find out if it is a default browser will actually occur in setting up new profile. First time you load new profile, it will ask if you want Firefox as default browser. If after selecting Yes and running for a while, and you still cop this issue, then we know is a malware issue and can guide you from there.

As an extra tip, after you have your new profile all set-up and running (ie, everything you need copied across), hard delete the original profile, as it sounds like it has become a little funky. To do this, first open FF's Profile Manager (as instructed above, Firefox needs to be completely closed to run) and delete original profile. Now chances are, if something is funky, there'll be files that this step wont delete, which means the base profile folder will still exist. To completely remove, follow these steps:

• Completely exit FF (and FF's Profile Manager) and go to the Profiles Folder.
• Select folder (don't actually open it) and hit Shift+Delete - Windows will ask if you want to permanently delete (ie, bypass Recycle Bin) - hit Yes.

This completely deletes the folder.

Now as said, not at this point convinced you have a malware issue, but if the whole opening popups in IE thing persists afterwards, will guide you from there Sorry again about the missing add-on