See:

• /questions/913536
• /questions/892957

Ugh, never mind. Apparently, the topic I started and clicked was not the topic that opened up.

If you install https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/searchreset/, does it help?

No. Thanks for the suggestion.

Ok, so just so I'm sure I'm understanding this correctly: You have your home page set to the Firefox default. But when you do searches from the search bar inside the home page (not the one in the upper right hand corner of the page) you get redirected to AVG Safe Search? is that correct?

Are you using AVG on your computer? there is an AVG uninstaller you can run if you wanted to switch to another anti-virus such as Microsoft Security Essentials, but only if you want to do that.

Reset the browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone pref via the right-click context menu to the default on the about:config page and close and restart Firefox to restore the about:home page to its default.

• Open the about:config page via the location bar
• Type in the Filter bar: mstone
• Right-click the browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone line and select: Reset
• Close and restart Firefox

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/about:config

I think I have solved the problem. As someone who has only occasionally used used Access and other database applications, I first needed to find a free app that would allow me to edit chromeappsstore.sqlite. Then I needed instruction on how to edit it. I found the answers to both these questions at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/779082 . Thanks Dr. Watson; you anticipated my needs 10 months ago!

I don't think I would have been able to articulate my questions clearly enough to find the solution without posting here first.

For others who try this solution not familiar with databases: make sure you backup a copy of chromeappsstore.sqlite before trying this fix; you cannot save a copy under a different name from within the sqlitebrowser application (or at least I could not find a "save as" feature).

Hi Tylerdowner-- As you see, I solved the problem. FYI, at some point, I installed a program and forgot to uncheck the AVG search bar installation that came along with it. That's started the ball rolling. However, I had found several threads with solutions--removing it from the search bar options, editing about:config, and removing all traces of AVG from my hard drive--that seemed to solve problem. That is, until I opened Firefox (home page is about:home) and did a search from the home page search bar and the results came up in isearch.avg.com!

I could not find any thread--except for the reference to chromeappsstore.sqlite and my subsequent discovery that text for "isearch.avg.com" was contained in it. After posting my question, I shifted my search to "chromeappsstore.sqlite," and that's how I found the solution.

That said, why this remnant of AVG Safe Search remained after addressing all the other solutions is beyond my knowledge. But I wouldn't be surprised if others may be experiencing something similar.

Thanks for your efforts! Much appreciated.

Deleting the browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone pref like I posted above([/questions/924840#answer-324871]) should have had the same effect and rebuild the chromeappsstore.sqlite database with the default search engine for the about:home page.

Thanks cor-el! I may test your solution at a later time because it is a simpler way to address the problem if it comes up again (and I'm sure it will...).  :-)

Much appreciated.

I am experiencing the issue that DrBB01 has described here. cor-el's solution is not effective.

I also tried deleting chromeappsstore.sqlite, which also was not effective.

pressedham_d-- Try the other suggested solutions at: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/779082 , particularly those suggested by Dr. Watson and co-rel. The AVG Search Bar problem hit me several times on different computers, and solutions that worked the each time, didn't on succeeding times; however, at least one of these worked each time. In order, I would try editing chromeappsstore.sqlite, then editing about:home as co-rel recommends (also search about:config for "isearch" for other entries that may need resetting). If those fail, then delete chromeappsstore.sqlite. Hopefully, one of these will take care of the problem.

Now, if you are like me, without an sqlite editor, I found a Firefox add-on that allowed me to edit chromeappsstore.sqlite, SQLite Manager 0.7.7. It was pretty easy to use.

Good luck! --DrBB01

Editing the database nearly worked. I had an issue where it wouldn't let me edit the value so I wrote my own SQL query:

INSERT INTO `webappsstore2` (`scope`, `key`, `value`, `secure`, `owner`) VALUES ('emoh.:moz-safe-about', 'search-engine', ' {"name":"Google","searchUrl":"http://www.google.com/search?q=_searchTerms_&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a"}', '0', );

Thanks

Here is the way to get rid of the problem once and for all:

http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-forums?sec=thread&act=show&id=196402#post_196402

KerriB-- Thanks for sharing another option. I hesitate to agree with the "once and for all" part, however, as one who has installed the AVG security bar unknowingly several times.  :-)

Of course, all of these solutions beg the following question: Why not make installation an "opt in" process, rather than opt out? At first glance, I'm sure it uses the browser add-on to collect information about browsing patterns it can use or sell--that is, it's potentially profitable. That must be counterbalanced against the loss of good will of thousands--even millions--of unhappy users who cannot easily remove the AVG search bar from their browsers: people like us! Frankly, there are enough excellent free anti-malware programs available that I will no longer consider AVG as an option. I suspect there are many others like me. Think about that, AVG!

DrBB01 You're absolutely right! I was searching everywhere for the solution. Finally found it in the AVG forum. It seems they just posted the solution yesterday. I had to read thru 4 pages of very mad ppl at the forum, finally, AVG put a link to it. Thank GOD. It did work for me too.

Excuse me, they made the solution to the problem in April or May, but they didn't put the link to the prob in that particular thread until yesterday. They just let ppl go on and on complaining for a couple of months.

I have upgraded firefox to 13. flash of the machine that I have or even faulty iexin help me

[Spam removed by moderator. Please read Mozilla Support rules and guidelines, thanks.]

The fastest and easiest solution to remove AVG as default research engine in mozilla :

1° write in the address bar: "about: config"

2° write in search filter: "avg"

3° Right click on each line and "reset".

Best,