If Firefox disabled some add-ons (especially extensions), it likely is because they include a list of compatible Firefox versions and haven't yet been updated for Firefox 5. If they worked on Firefox 4, there is a good chance they will work on Firefox 5.

You can force Firefox to ignore add-on version restrictions by (what else) installing an add-on. Then you can test whether the add-ons important to you actually work in Firefox 5.

Add-on Compatibility Reporter :: Add-ons for Firefox

After you install the Compatibility Reporter and restart Firefox, there should be an extra control for each add-on that lets you turn them on and off even if they do not claim compatibility with Firefox 5.

Please report back on your results.

I guess I don't know which Firefox addons are compatible with the realplayer downloading system. All I want to do is get the mp3 to itunes where I can download it to my ipod. I downloaded the Add-on Compatibility Reporter and then clickes on the realplayer add-on in the add-on manager. But after Firefox re-started again it still remains dis-abled so I reported that. Thank you......stuck again.

Did an "Enable" button appear to let you enable it? If not, it could be on a block list if during beta testing it caused a lot of crashes.

I imagine there are other add-ons with similar features, but I haven't explored them.

You can try this... Open Real Player and Go to Preferences --> Download and Recording --> Uncheck the option for "Enable Web Download and Recording for these installed browser" --> click OK. Then again Open Real Player and Go to Preferences --> Download and Recording --> Check the option for "Enable Web Download and Recording for these installed browser" --> click OK. Restart Firefox and it should work!!!

nope....still didn't get the download signal to show while the mp3 is playing....don't know how I can download it so I can get it to itunes

I think it came up and I clicked it and then it changed to compatibility! and from there it reverted back to the original headline over the box : .....not compatible with new version Firefox 5......heck I want my Firefox 4 back....why update ?

Due to security vulnerabilities, rolling back to Firefox 4.0.1 is not recommended.

Here's the process to roll back to 3.6:

First, I recommend backing up your Firefox settings in case something goes wrong. See Backing up your information. (You can copy your entire Firefox profile folder somewhere outside of the Mozilla folder.)

Next, download and save Firefox 3.6 to your desktop for future installation. http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/all-older

Close Firefox 5.

You could install Firefox 3.6 over it (many have reported success) or you could uninstall Firefox first. If you uninstall, do not remove your personal data and settings, just the program.

Unless you have installed an incompatible add-on, Firefox 3.6 should pick up where you left off. If there are serious issues, please post back with details.

Note: I haven't actually tried this myself!

Thank you jscher2000. I rolled back to Firefox 3.6 and so it's working again and I'm relieved. I appreciate your help. I didn't uninstall Firefox 5. I guess it just installed over it.

Seriously? The answer to getting Realplayer download to work is to rollback Firefox to a previous version.... WTF? Thank you to those who contribute their time and resources to FF as it's free, but be sure that major stuff works (Realplayer plugins) before you release and fK up everyone's workflow. There may even be a simple answer to my dilemma in the posts above but quess what, I don't have time to read them (like many others). I barely have time to register and write this rant/post. FFS! Whoever is responsible needs to fix this sh*t. Again thank you, however, for your time, talent, and effort for providing Firefox/ addons at no cost to general public. [SIGH]

My multi-row bookmarks don't work either... and don't say "I" need to go anywhere to get it fixed... Firefox (community or what/whomever) needs to require that if one is going to provide a plugin you have to MAINTAIN it! When I open Firefox I shouldn't have to do sh*t to KEEP it working any particular way. I'm not a programmer and I don't have time to chase after plugin authors... FFS! I switched to FF from IE due to recommendations of a better browser. Looks like I may be using IE for a while.

You do realize that if Mozilla waited for all add-on authors to update add-ons before doing new releases, there would never be another release!

@jscher2000: And you do realize that if Mozilla repeats this blunder a few more times, Firefox will soon be a thing of the past, do you ? Is Mozilla itching so hard to loose users over to Chrome ?!?

@Zodiac101, how would you fix this situation?

@jscher2000: By not creating it in the first place ?

I'm wondering if this problem with incompatibility with the realplayer downloader has been fixed yet. I do not know what the security issues are with firefox version 4 and why it is important to upgrade to version 5 or an older version. If firefox had more clearly noted in the upgrade that the incompatibility would cause the program not to run and that it could take weeks for a fix and that due to security issues a downgrade to version 3.6 would be better than staying with version 4. I would have done that instead of going through all the trouble I've already had with using firefox. New computers try to automatically get you to go through the upgrade which if you don't realize your other programs won't work, then it's a pain in the you know what.

As is to get a quick fix, I restored my computer using the restore function and had to remove and reinstall version 4. If I want to do secure transactions online, I'm just going to use a different browser. For everyday web surfing I am using version 4 unless I know of a bigger threat.

Firefox should have had a link and instructions to downgrade to version 3.6 in my opinion and clearly note incompatible add ons would not work if version 4 is such a security hazard. What exactly is the hazard? I didn't notice a link explaining it.

@Rick777 wrote

What exactly is the hazard? I didn't notice a link explaining it.

In the old days, it was easy to find the Release Notes page for each update. Now I generally run a Google search to find it. Here is the list of fixed security vulnerabilities between Firefox 4 to 4.0.1 and Firefox 4.0.1 to Firefox 5:

http://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html#firefox5

Many of these are considered critical vulnerabilities because they allow a web site (or third party linked into the page) to automatically install trojans, spyware and other malware on your computer, or possibly to take any action you yourself could take on your PC. If you have good full-time security software on the job, you probably are protected from the most common malware likely to be installed or run through those kinds of vulnerabilities. For vulnerabilities triggered through JavaScript, the NoScript add-on can help protect you. There still would be the possibility of "zero day" attacks which aren't detected by security software for hours or days after they are discovered. That's why promptly updating to a secure version is recommended and why most software now supports automatic updating.

---

The independent security company Secunia has this information on various versions of Firefox:

Mozilla Firefox 4.x - 2011 Advisories

Mozilla Firefox 3.6.x - 2011 Advisories

(There are no advisories posted yet for Firefox 5, but they will appear on this page:
Mozilla Firefox 5.x - 2011 Advisories)

1st today's date is ...31st July 2011.....ok.............

People People People. The thing to understand here is that this happens every-time Firefox updates

Please note it is always the 3rd party's onus to then update THEIR software. Real Player from my experience then takes usually 1-3 weeks to amend THEIR plugin.

Now this is the trick After you notice the problem for the first time, Download the latest real player version.( Depending on date this will have the amended plug-in)

Failing that here is a temp solution.>>>> while you are waiting for Real Player to fix THEIR Plug-In ..........You can copy and paste or open the web page you require directly in Real Player and you can record you video or mp3 that way.

Third solution >>> While you are waiting and yawning Go to Firefox Official add on pages and use Net Video Hunter or Video DownloadHelper, both work much the same way ie>>>A Icon Flashes when A possible Video Or Audio Or Even Jpegs with VDH is available for download.

Now because they are designed directly for Firefox, when Firefox updates, These add-ons are on the case straight away I am talking hours or max 2 days people. The problem with these two add-ons is after you use them and get use to them you might end up saying Real Player who...lol

I hope this information is useful for any pass present or future readers, and oh btw I guarantee whenever the next version of Firefox is released the Real Player Plug-In problem will occur again. Don't worry I have had Firefox from version 2.0 till now and I tell you in all honesty Real Player always gets round to it........

If you keep and follow my guide you'll be ok, Even in five years time it will still be relevant. lol

Good Luck All.........Yours Thomas J