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can not locate bookmarks and prevented from making bookmarks

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

dhhougen
dhhougen
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Since a recent update, bookmarks have disappeared when computer shut down. I recovered them but today, I can not recover bookmarks and unable to make new bookmarks. I wonder if I have a virus

Since a recent update, bookmarks have disappeared when computer shut down. I recovered them but today, I can not recover bookmarks and unable to make new bookmarks. I wonder if I have a virus

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Sorry to hear about this problem. Inability to create new bookmarks or restore a bookmark backup can indicate a problem accessing one or two different databases used for bookmark-related data.

I suggest first shutting down and restarting your Mac at least once to release any file locks. That would minimize data loss if it works.

If that doesn't help, in order to figure out if a database is locked/inaccessible/corrupted, you could first try the "Verify Integrity" function. Here's how:

Open Firefox's Troubleshooting Information page using any of these methods:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

Near the bottom, there is a section titled Places Database -- that's the file which stores history and bookmarks. Click the button labeled Verify Integrity. There may be a 10-15 second delay before results appear.

If all is well, the report that appears below the button should start with: 

> Task: checkIntegrity
+ The places.sqlite database is sane
+ The favicons.sqlite database is sane

Does yours say that, or something else? You can select and copy the report, and then paste it into a reply for review and comment.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

  • keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:preferences page.

See also: