Moving profile folder across machines disables random add-ons (was : dropbox and firefox add-ons weirdness)
I have successfully been using dropbox to sync Firefox profiles across multiple computers - basically the method was to create a folder in dropbox, copy there the contents of my profile and create new profiles pointing to that folder in my various (windows) machines. Since FF 4 however I have this problem :on start-up of FF on a given machine not all Add-ons are enabled, with FF reporting that some are incompatible with current FF - On running 'Check for Updates' the so called incompatible Add-ons report that they will be enabled when Firefox is restarted, which without downloading any updates they successfully are.
Not all add-ons are affected. I suspect there is a corrupted file somewhere. I slightly modified the question found here : http://forums.dropbox.com/topic.php?id=41983&replies=2#post-349997
NB: syncing with DB is equivalent to manually copying the profile folder from machine to machine and creating a new profile. No reason why it shouldn't work - if one does not browse on 2 machines simultaneously and lets DB sync before launching FF - so please do not answer that this is a DB problem. Also - may be a problem with particular add-ons (some of them had this problem in FF 4, 5 and 6)- but before posting to their threads I post here in case there is a easy solution.
EDIT: confirmed not a DB issue (see title) Profile in custom folder - FF 7.0.1
Thanks
Ændret af Mr_and_Mrs_D den
Alle svar (18)
Troubleshooting extensions and themes
Check and tell if its working.
thanks - nope - I can post a list of the extensions that behave wrongly once I fire up another machine please read carefully - problem is that firefox *disables* add-ons as if incompatible while they are not - restarting firefox fixes this - but agian problem shows in new machine
That's why i provided you the above link to find out if some add-on is causing malfunctioning in Firefox.
They don't - is there a chance there is machine specific information stored someplace in the profile (there shouldn't) ?
Type about:support in the Address bar and press Enter.
Troubleshooting Information tab will open
To resolve your problem, Create a New Profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.
-> Basic Troubleshooting: Make a New Profile
-> If that New Profile works then you can recover your Bookmarks and Passwords from the Old Profile.
-> Recovering important data from an old profile
Check and tell if its working.
Ændret af Hasan den
I've already posted this info on More system details... link above
Ok - tested - there is a problem in some add-ons : created a new profile with folder inside DB - installed Auto Copy - exited FF and let it sync - went to other machine - let dropbox sync - created a new profile and chose as folder the one in dropbox - fired up this profile in FF - no auto copy - add-ons tab said :not compatible with FF 6.0.2 - checking for updates corrects this. there is a bug here
The add-ons that seem to suffer from this syndrome in my set up are :
- - Add to Search Bar 2.0
- - Auto Copy 1.0.1
- - Clean And Close 2.5.1
- - CookieKiller 1.0.12
- - Cookies Manager+ 1.5.1
- - Element Hiding Helper for Adblock Plus 1.1.1
- - Google Shortcuts 2.1.6
- - Greek Spelling dictionary 0.8.5
- - IE Tab 2 (FF 3.6+) 3.5.9.1
- - keyconfig 20110522
- - Launch Clipboard 1.8
- - Open Multiple Locations 0.5
- - Resurrect Pages 2.0.6
- - ScrapBook Plus 1.8.20.34
- - ScribeFire 3.5.3.3
- - Tab Counter 1.8.8
- - United States English Spellchecker 5.0.1
- - Web Developer 1.1.9
- - YesScript 1.9
Ændret af Mr_and_Mrs_D den
FF7 now - guess what...
Here is my extensions.ini before updating add-ons:
[ExtensionDirs]
- Extension0=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\anticontainer@downthemall.net.xpi
- Extension1=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\clean_and_close@csb7.com.xpi
- Extension2=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\extensionlistdumper@sogame.cat.xpi
- Extension3=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\keyconfig@dorando.xpi
- Extension4=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\multipletab@piro.sakura.ne.jp.xpi
- Extension5=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\openmultiplelocations@jordanmatuszek.com.xpi
- Extension6=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}.xpi
- Extension7=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\adblockpopups@jessehakanen.net.xpi
- Extension8=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\elemhidehelper@adblockplus.org.xpi
- Extension9=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\faviconizetab@espion.just-size.jp.xpi
- Extension10=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\fr-classique@dictionaries.addons.mozilla.org
- Extension11=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\gmailnoads@mywebber.com.xpi
- Extension12=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\lazarus@interclue.com.xpi
- Extension13=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\menuiconsplus@codedawn.com.xpi
- Extension14=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\mintrayr@tn123.ath.cx
- Extension15=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\selectivecookiedelete@siju.mathew
- Extension16=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\sharing@addons.mozilla.org
- Extension17=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\status4evar@caligonstudios.com.xpi
- Extension18=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{1018e4d6-728f-4b20-ad56-37578a4de76b}
- Extension19=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{1280606b-2510-4fe0-97ef-9b5a22eafe30}.xpi
- Extension20=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{45d8ff86-d909-11db-9705-005056c00008}.xpi
- Extension21=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{7f57cf46-4467-4c2d-adfa-0cba7c507e54}.xpi
- Extension22=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{b9db16a4-6edc-47ec-a1f4-b86292ed211d}
- Extension23=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}.xpi
- Extension24=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{dc572301-7619-498c-a57d-39143191b318}.xpi
- Extension25=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{46551EC9-40F0-4e47-8E18-8E5CF550CFB8}.xpi
- Extension26=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\SQLiteManager@mrinalkant.blogspot.com.xpi
[ThemeDirs] and after updating add-ons and restarting : [ExtensionDirs]
- Extension0=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\anticontainer@downthemall.net.xpi
- Extension1=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\clean_and_close@csb7.com.xpi
- Extension2=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\extensionlistdumper@sogame.cat.xpi
- Extension3=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\keyconfig@dorando.xpi
- Extension4=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\multipletab@piro.sakura.ne.jp.xpi
- Extension5=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\openmultiplelocations@jordanmatuszek.com.xpi
- Extension6=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}.xpi
- Extension7=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\adblockpopups@jessehakanen.net.xpi
- Extension8=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\add-to-searchbox@maltekraus.de.xpi
- Extension9=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\el-GR@dictionaries.addons.mozilla.org
- Extension10=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\elemhidehelper@adblockplus.org.xpi
- Extension11=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\en-US@dictionaries.addons.mozilla.org
- Extension12=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\fastprevnext@tn123.ath.cx.xpi
- Extension13=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\faviconizetab@espion.just-size.jp.xpi
- Extension14=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\fr-classique@dictionaries.addons.mozilla.org
- Extension15=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\gmailnoads@mywebber.com.xpi
- Extension16=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\launchClipboard@alice
- Extension17=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\lazarus@interclue.com.xpi
- Extension18=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\massforget@tn123.ath.cx.xpi
- Extension19=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\menuiconsplus@codedawn.com.xpi
- Extension20=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\mintrayr@tn123.ath.cx
- Extension21=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\selectivecookiedelete@siju.mathew
- Extension22=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\sharing@addons.mozilla.org
- Extension23=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\status4evar@caligonstudios.com.xpi
- Extension24=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\Stratiform@SoapySpew.xpi
- Extension25=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\tabcounter@morac
- Extension26=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\yesscript@userstyles.org
- Extension27=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{0c8fbd76-bdeb-4c52-9b24-d587ce7b9dc3}
- Extension28=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{0FED7D55-65D4-47b6-A6DE-9A4ADB55355F}.xpi
- Extension29=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{1018e4d6-728f-4b20-ad56-37578a4de76b}
- Extension30=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{1280606b-2510-4fe0-97ef-9b5a22eafe30}.xpi
- Extension31=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{1BC9BA34-1EED-42ca-A505-6D2F1A935BBB}
- Extension32=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{45d8ff86-d909-11db-9705-005056c00008}.xpi
- Extension33=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{4fa0d965-cd01-4d08-9bdb-0d8c47cfd5d8}.xpi
- Extension34=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{53A03D43-5363-4669-8190-99061B2DEBA5}.xpi
- Extension35=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{563e4790-7e70-11da-a72b-0800200c9a66}.xpi
- Extension36=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{5C46D283-ABDE-4dce-B83C-08881401921C}.xpi
- Extension37=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{7f57cf46-4467-4c2d-adfa-0cba7c507e54}.xpi
- Extension38=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{b9db16a4-6edc-47ec-a1f4-b86292ed211d}
- Extension39=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{bb6bc1bb-f824-4702-90cd-35e2fb24f25d}
- Extension40=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}.xpi
- Extension41=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{d40f5e7b-d2cf-4856-b441-cc613eeffbe3}.xpi
- Extension42=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{dc572301-7619-498c-a57d-39143191b318}.xpi
- Extension43=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{DDC359D1-844A-42a7-9AA1-88A850A938A8}.xpi
- Extension44=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{F807FACD-E46A-4793-B345-D58CB177673C}
- Extension45=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\{46551EC9-40F0-4e47-8E18-8E5CF550CFB8}.xpi
- Extension46=C:\Dropbox\FFprofile\extensions\SQLiteManager@mrinalkant.blogspot.com.xpi
[ThemeDirs]
I thought the extensions that get disabled are those that have a human readable folder/xpi name (and not {letters-and-numbers}) - but no
Deleting extensions.sqlite/ini does not help
Also :
SQLiteManager: Error in opening file extensions.sqlite - either the file is encrypted or corrupt Exception Name: NS_ERROR_STORAGE_BUSY Exception Message: Component returned failure code: 0x80630001 (NS_ERROR_STORAGE_BUSY) [mozIStorageService.openUnsharedDatabase]
Ændret af Mr_and_Mrs_D den
Not all extensions have the correct maxVersion coded in the file install.rdf. Usually only the update.xml file on the update server is updated for a new Firefox version (reported maxVersion) and the extensions itself isn't changed and still has an old not compatible maxVersion coded. Otherwise each update would require a version number increase and a new review on the Add-ons site that would add a lot of unnecessary workload. If you download and install the extension from the Add-ons site then such a compatibility check is done automatically and the extension is enabled. If Firefox gets updated or sees a version change from the previous version that used a profile then such a compatibility check needs to be done again. If extensions.sqlite gets changed or deleted otherwise then that check needs to be done manually via Check for Updates in Tools > Add-ons > Extensions.
I see - BUT the problem is that the folder is updated alright in one machine - FF closes - folder is transferred in the other machine (via DB - this should not make a difference) - FF launches in the other machine - half of the extensions are disabled - update, restart, alright - keep using FF in the same machine (restarting etc), alright - switch to the other machine needs update again !
Using collections - FF (extensions list dumper) reports 58 addons (indeed in ProfileFolder\extensions there are 58 files/folders) but in the 'auto-publisher' collection I made online I have 60 addons and massive extender add-on reports 63 - where does the add-on collector gets its info from ? Not from Mozilla\Firefox\extensions - and apparently there is where the bug is
Ændret af Mr_and_Mrs_D den
Changed title - edits - confirmed still on FF 7.0.1
see also : http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2323559
Ændret af Mr_and_Mrs_D den
You can only get extensions that are disabled because of their code maxVersion working by applying a compatibility update from the server. You can't just copy (extension) files from one profile to another profile and expect that to work. There are also first run prefs in prefs.js and the fast startup cache that would have to be updated. Current Firefox versions are heavily optimized to make the loading as quickly as possible and there are all kind of cache files to achieve that.
I am copying the whole profile folder - which is the way to backup one's profile - except the 3 cache folders. You think it should not work ?
Also of note is that there is an amount of randomness regarding which extensions are disabled - which strongly indicates a bug in FF
I still believe there is a bug somewhere - could you elaborate on the maxVersion handling by extension authors ? Maybe there should be stricter guidelines - as since firefox 2 copying the profile folder was all that was needed to get one up and running in any machine
see also : http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2323559
Ændret af Mr_and_Mrs_D den
I'm also having this issue, copying the profile folder onto the same machine, then starting with a different profile in Win 7 with 7.0.1.
The steps I'm taking:
1) Copy entire profile folder, rename to p2fold. 2) Use profile manager to create a profile called P2 that uses p2fold as its folder. 3) Start firefox with '-P "P2"' option.
This seems to be an issue with the copied files themselves though. It works if you simply create a new profile using the same folder, and it works if you change the path to the folder by using NTFS mountpoints.
Usefully, for a workaround, it also works if you rar the folder contents and unrar into the destination folder with winrar (only option set is high precision mod time).
It does not work with windows "send to compressed folder", if you create a zip file with winrar, or using xcopy with any switches I've tried.
Edit: Just confirmed that a regular copy will not work in XP with 7.0.1 either. Rar works on XP as well though.
Edit 2: Also works with 7zip set to store.
Ændret af sys5 den
Very interesting : which means some bug with creation/modification times.
In my case it is across XP/7 btw
Have opened a thread here : http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2323559
Have just done some more testing. If you switch off "high precision modification time" in Winrar, it stops working. So it looks like it's definitely the modification times that are doing it.
I also tested with a FAT32 formatted memory stick, and regular copy works just fine on there (although shifting from NTFS to FAT causes the issue the first time round).
So, it looks like it's specifically NTFS modification times that are triggering a reset.
Filled a bug here : https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=696634