Mozilla Firefox lost everything

[makeovermagic]

I've been using Mozilla Firefox for months now without incident. Today my system did a reboot on its own for no apparent reason and when I went to Mozilla all of my bookmarks were gone and homepage changed to their default. Is there any way to get the bookmarks back? I did a system restore but that didn't help.

Thanks,

Marsha

[manta1900]

1) Open an explorer window
2) Goto Tools->Folder Options->View
3) Check "Show Hidden Files and Folders" option
4) Goto directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Something>.default

You will find there the following files:
<bookmarks.html> That contains the current bookmarks
<bookmarks.bak> That contains the previous ones

Good Luck!

[Gary Richardson]

Provided the file is not damaged you should be able to Import it back into Firefox from the location Manta gave you, if you need instructions just ask.

Its always worthwhile to keep a backup of your Bookmarks, easily done by exporting a copy from Firefox.

If you need instructions for how to do this, let me know.

[makeovermagic]

Thanks Manta and Gary.

In Explorer 7.0, I can't find "option->view".

Gary, I could use instructions for importing and exporting a copy once it is restored (if).

Thanks,

Marsha

[JimJam]

No not Internet Explorer....go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer....why Microsoft has two different programs with such similar names I dont Know. At least this is what I believe they meant.

[makeovermagic]

JimJam, ahhh, duh -- thanks!

I found the files "bookmarks.html" and "bookmark.bak" -- now what do I do?

[1STLITE]

Hey, uh, Gary - Could I get those instructions too? I never really thought about backing that up, and with this thread I realized how LOST I would be if that happened.

Hope you get your's fixed, Marsha!

[Gary Richardson]

To Export Bookmarks from Firefox (for backup processes).

• Click on Bookmarks > Organise Bookmarks.
• Click on File > Export.
• Browse to folder where you want to store your Bookmarks.
• Save them under a name you can find (I usually add a date to the default bookmarks.html).

I usually export them to a USB drive, so I've got them even if my box crashes.

To Import Bookmarks into Firefox.

• Click on Bookmarks > Organise Bookmarks.
• Click on File > Import.
• Check either Microsoft Internet Explorer or From File as required.
• If the latter, browse to file you wish to Import and double click it to Import it.

[makeovermagic]

Gary, I imported and exported. Thanks so much!!

1stlite, I was lost without them!! You don't realize how much you rely on them, kinda like speed dial on your phone

Marsha

[DanBrown]

Check out a program like Second Copy:
http://www.centered.com/

At intervals that you specify, it will backup files that you specify to a device that you specify. It can be to a second hard drive, CD, USB device, flash drive, etc. You can set it to backup your bookmarks at specific intervals and maintain as many "archival" copies (i.e. prior versions) as you want. A great program, not expensive, and will save you if this problem occurs in the future.

[Gary Richardson]

Gary, I imported and exported. Thanks so much!!

You're welcome Marsha. Glad I could help.