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Solved "Error message": Unable to process backup file .json of bookmarks saved from different computer

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  • Last reply by cor-el

lite1
lite1
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Want to move bookmarks from old laptop running Firefox 3.1.6 and Win XP to new laptop running Win 7 64-bit and FF 3.1.6 which I just installed. On new laptop I browsed from FF to Restore bookmarks from file I had saved from old laptop (edit to add: it is about 4500kb). The file (bookmarks-2010-10-15.json) is NOT write protected. FF reports "Unable to process backup file".

I have shut down FF and rebooting computer. I am able to restore a bookmark file that was created on new laptop but NOT the one saved from old laptop so I do NOT think the file that the knowledge base (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox) refers to as potentially problematic is the problem in my case. I do NOT want to proceed with the other suggestions (create new profile and etc.) for fear of creating even more problems.

Appreciate your advice - I have probably a 1000 or more bookmarks to move and so this is vital and probably typical of anyone with a new computer.

Want to move bookmarks from old laptop running Firefox 3.1.6 and Win XP to new laptop running Win 7 64-bit and FF 3.1.6 which I just installed. On new laptop I browsed from FF to Restore bookmarks from file I had saved from old laptop (edit to add: it is about 4500kb). The file (bookmarks-2010-10-15.json) is NOT write protected. FF reports "Unable to process backup file". I have shut down FF and rebooting computer. I am able to restore a bookmark file that was created on new laptop but NOT the one saved from old laptop so I do NOT think the file that the knowledge base (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox) refers to as potentially problematic is the problem in my case. I do NOT want to proceed with the other suggestions (create new profile and etc.) for fear of creating even more problems. Appreciate your advice - I have probably a 1000 or more bookmarks to move and so this is vital and probably typical of anyone with a new computer.

Modified by lite1

All Replies (2)

lite1
lite1 Question owner
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PROBLEM SOLVED I did backup from old laptop again both as .json file and as an export to html. This time the .json file worked to restore from it.

I had read on a different thread here about using the html version and was going to give that a try but also made the new .json at the same time to see if I could get that to work - which it did. I expect that either approach gives the same results and so if one approach is not working for you perhaps the other approach will take care of it.

cor-el
cor-el
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Always make sure to add the .json file extension if you create a JSON backup.