Do you see the search engines files in the searchplugins folder in the Firefox program folder (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\) ?

If not then reinstall Firefox on top of the current version.
Otherwise you can try to restore the default search engines by clicking the search engines icon and open Manage Search Engines and clicking the Restore Defaults at the bottom of that window.

You can find the latest Firefox release here:

• Firefox 8.0.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html

Sorted! "Searchplugins" folder was empty and files sitting in "searchplugins2" folder. Same issue with "hyphenation" folder

Thank you to Cor-el

Like alisdair810, my Searchplugins" folder was empty and files are sitting in the "searchplugins2" folder." But I don't know what to do about it. Am I supposed to move the files? If so, could you please instruct me on how to do this.

Also, when I open "Manage Search Engines", the "Restore Defaults" button is not an option for me to click on.

cor-el's fix worked for me. So ... Right click on the windows start button (bottom left of your screen) and open explore go to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\ and you will see all the sub folder, move the highlighter down to "Search plugins2" and the content (the files you want) will be seen on the right hand panel. Place the mouse pointer just above the first file or just below the last file press and hold the left mouse button. Move the mouse over the the other files and they will become shaded (blue) on my system. When they are all shaded release the mouse button. All the files should now be shaded. Place the mouse pointer over any of these files and press and hold the left mouse button again. You are now going to drag these files to the folder you want them in. Still holding the mouse button drag the pointer to the folder in the left hand column called Search Plugins. With your mouse pointer over the chosen folder release the left mouse button and the files will now be moved over into their new home. Firefox can now be restarted and all your search options will be available as they used to be. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much. This is my first post on any support forum . . . I appreciate you being so helpful!