(re-)setting Google as the default search engine

[khaley]

I have searched through and read several sites in vain while trying to correct a recent problem: I downloaded AIM for chats and despite the fact that I unchecked the "Make AIM my default search engine" in the installation, AIM still went ahead and took over my searches. Even after uninstalling (as I thought) all AIM programs from my computer I still can't get rid of the search engine in the main navigation window of Firefox. I was wondering if you can help me re-set Google as my default search engine. I'm using WinXP and Mozilla Firefox.

[compdoc]

click on the AIM icon a list of search providers should show click on google and thats it

[khaley]

Unfortunately I have no AIM icon anymore to click on. The one in the navigation bar won't let me click on it.

[compdoc]

ok open firefox and in the address bar type this

about:config

and then hit enter

then scroll down to

browser.search.selectedEngine

then right click on it and then click reset

close firefox and the open firefox google should be back

let me know if this worked

if it does not I'll find another solution

[compdoc]

one more thing you should check is

browser.search.searchEnginesURL

the value should be

https://%LOCALE%.add-ons.mozilla.com/%LOCALE%/firefox/%VERSION%/search-engines/

[khaley]

I can't tell you how grateful I am for this help.
I wasn't able to locate either browser.search.selectedEngine or browser.search.searchEnginesURL in the list of configurations. I tried tweaking two things that looked similar enough and resetting the value to the stream you suggested. But still when I open Firefox the default is AIM.

[khaley]

I found out if I scroll down to keywordURL and click Reset it resets back to google. It works now. Thank you so much again for all your help!!

[compdoc]

great glad you got it working

[khaley]

I'm having the same problem I had a year ago, only this time around the solutions we tried (successfully) last year aren't working anymore: I've somehow lost the ability to have Google as my default search engine in Mozilla. I've tried typing about: config in the address bar and then scrolling down to keywordURL, but when I right click on this there's no option of doing "reset"--only "modify" or "copy" (this worked last year). I don't suppose you have any further suggestions? Thanks so much....

[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

[khaley]

Thanks so much for your quick and helpful reply! I'd love to set up a new FF profile, if you can guide me through it. IN the meantime, I did succeed in getting Google back to being my default--I went into Programs and Removed two programs I'd added yesterday, then restarted my computer--miraculously, whatever annoying search engine had taken over had disappeared. However, I'd like to have a clean list under the about:config, as you say, so let's proceed....

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?

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

[kaninelupus]

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?

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\\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 :)

[khaley]

Hello again,

Did you say you had a password export add-on for FF? I didn't get the attachment if you did attach it to the last post--but I'm ready and rarin' to go with every procedure you outlined!

thanks so much again,
Kathleen

[khaley]

Dear Kaninelupus,

I was only waiting to get the password export add-on for FF (you said you'd attached it to the previous post, but I couldn't find it) to get started working on this problem. The problem (even after running CCleaner) is that IExplorer keeps on popping up with strange pop-ups while I'm working within various sites on FF. I have a feeling it's related to the activities of a few nights ago that generated the whole search-engine switchover.

thanks so much for helping with this!
Kathleen

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\\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 :)

[Bob_180_Bob]

Hi,
Try this site

http://www.void.gr/kargig/blog/2009/07/02/using-firefox-password-exporter/

[kaninelupus]

Ah crap... I did forget to attach the file (blonde moment). Here 'tis :)

EDIT: classed as invalid file-type on DaniWeb - here's the direct link to the file. Should be able to right-click and "save as".

[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 :$

[khaley]

God bless you, kaninelupus!
To quote Babu of Seinfeld, "You very good man."

So far so good, as far as the IExplore popups go (I really wish I could permanently delete IExplore from my computer--is there any reason why a user shouldn't do that?). But I never found the option to set Mozilla Firefox as my default browser. When I opened FF after going through all the steps you outlined, it never gave me the option about setting it as the default. I am naturally curious whether this is a malware issue, as that seems highly plausible given the sorts of places I was visiting that occasioned this whole mess (Limewire--ugh).

thanks so much, again-
Kathleen

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 :$

[khaley]

p.s. Under the Advanced tab of Options in FF I just did a check to see if FF was my default browser and it says it is. I hope that clinches it.

[khaley]

I just had another IExplore popup when I entered Amazon.com, so I guess you must be right--it must be Malware. Any suggestions?

thanks!
Kathleen