Firefox - wtf happened to my bookmarks?

[alfaniner]

I restart up my computer late this afternoon, and suddenly my chosen theme for Firefox was missing, and all my bookmarks are gone and my theme (Redshift) was missing also. This happened after watching the live NASA feed, although it may be unrelated. I don't allow any automated updates -- I'm just trying to figure out what happened?

I did not visit any unusual sites or open any suspicious emails in that time. The only out of the ordinary thing was opening up that live NASA webcast.

Still scanning for viruses, none found yet...

[Aitch]

I've seen this problem mentioned on another board, though no one seemed to know what caused it. Claimed to be a Firefox bug rather than virus/whatever.

Have you checked out the Firefox site/forums?

BTW I've been using Firefox for a year or more, without getting the problem. However, I use a Mac. So, could it be a PC/Windows specific problem?

[LibraryLady]

To avoid such problems, I use http://del.icio.us. It's a real help.

[Fiona]

This happened to me one time with firefox. I never found any cause. I had been using it a long time and I have continued to use it. Never happened before or since. I assumed it was a punishment from a deity I had inadvertently annoyed. It confirmed me in my commitment to the small, humble gods: they are so much more modest in their smiting :)

[Worm]

Have you tried starting Firefox in Safe mode (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_mode)?

Have you checked to see if the files are still there? In particular the bookmark file may still be preset, or a backup of it. Linky (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Lost_bookmarks)

[LibraryLady]

Okay, now that's just plain weird--duplicate post.

[MrQhuest]

I've run into this periodically.
You may have accidentally switched user profiles.

Not knowing your version, or OS, visit
http://support.mozilla.com/zh-CN/kb/Managing+profiles

for everything on firefox user profiles.

Related:
MozBackup is a handy utility for backing up those bookmarks, passwords and settings.
http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/

MrQhuest

[Safe-Keeper]

Happened to me too. I don't use custom themes, but all my bookmarks vanished overnight.

[alfaniner]

Well, the bookmarks were still there, in apparently what is an automatic backup folder. I noticed that automatic updates were turned on. I thought I had them off, but there are so many levels of options I might have missed that one. I don't see that I'm missing any bookmarks now, but I did have to reset all my preferences to get them back where I wanted.

It's funny how you get used to a certain layout and can almost use it blindfolded, then when something changes you are totally lost.

[Little 10 Toes]

"All your links belong to us"?

[aerosolben]

I've run into this periodically.
You may have accidentally switched user profiles.
Second this. I've seen similar behavior before as well.

[Skeptical Greg]

This has happened to me before .. Never figured out why..
Now I just periodically export my bookmarks to a file on my desktop ..

Haven't had to use it so far.

[Soapy Sam]

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Profiles

Worth reading.