Error upon starting up
I was having difficulty with Firefox, so I closed it. I re-opened it, but it went to the software update. Frustrated, and anxious to get back to my work, I canceled the update with windows task manager. Now whenever I click on firefox, it doesn't load, and automatically gives me an firefox.exe error, saying it has encountered a problem and needs to close. Vanilla internet explorer also refuses to load, though it gives me no error message.
Chosen solution
Can you download the installer on the computer you are using, copy it to a usb drive and transfer it to the computer with the issue?
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Looks like you probably just need to re-install Firefox. I see that you are using Firefox 3.6 which is no longer supported. You should consider updating the the latest Firefox - it's much faster, has helpful new features and all the latest security updates (Firefox 3.6 is insecure). You can get it from mozilla.org/firefox
To install an old version of Firefox, see - Install an older version of Firefox
Thank you for the swift response, Verdi. Are you suggesting I un-install it then re-install it? Keep in mind I'm sure that's the Firefox I'm using-- I'm posting from my laptop, which I effectively use just for Microsoft Word, and I'm not sure if my desktop version is actually 3.6 or not.
Usually you do not need to uninstall Firefox before installing a new version. Please note that if you DO uninstall, you should NOT remove your personal data; that will erase all your bookmarks.
You might want to backup your Firefox settings just in case. See Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles. (You can copy your entire Firefox profile folder somewhere outside of the Mozilla folder.)
Alright, I tried to un-install it, but I got an error, saying an error occurred while trying to remove firefox, and that it have have already been uninstalled. It then asks if I'd like to remove Mozilla from the Add or Remove programs list. I'm to afraid to hit 'yes'.
Thoughts, tips?
The Add/Remove programs list sometimes gets out of date. That probably is fine.
Alright, I tried using Add or Remove programs- Now Mozilla isn't on the list, but the program was still there, there was no prompt to uninstall, and it still gives me a error code trying to launch. And vanilla internet explorer still won't work. I'm out of ideas.
Could you try starting Firefox in Safe Mode (Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode) by holding the Shift key when you launch the Firefox icon? (I assume you still have a Firefox icon.) Don't check any boxes just yet, just click Continue in Safe Mode. Will Firefox run that way?
Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
Holding down shifting while double clicking gives me the same error massage.
Can you download a full Firefox installer to install over what you have? http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/fx/
I don't know. Can I access the downloader without being able to access to the internet? As I said, firefox doesn't even launch, it just gives an error massage, and IE doesn't launch.
Chosen Solution
Can you download the installer on the computer you are using, copy it to a usb drive and transfer it to the computer with the issue?
Try to boot Windows in Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) in case Norton is causing problems to see if that allows to remove the Firefox program folder and install the new Firefox version.
Yes! Yes that did it! I downloaded Mozilla on this laptop and transferred it with a USB. The Mozilla downloader prompted me to upgrade, and the new version worked! It didn't even wipe my profile information! Thank you everyone for the help!