Firefox refusing to open?

[tahrey]

Did you UNinstall it first, rather than trying to upgrade?

Also when things like this happen, it tends to be that the trojan has put something on your system that can look for secure browsers / other security software and their installers running and just process-kills them before they can get anywhere. If you can't get it to work after a/ removing firefox, b/ restarting windows, then I suspect you're actually still infected, and unless someone out there can suggest a clever way around it I'd suggest you need to download and burn a "clean" startup/rescue CD (ON ANOTHER COMPUTER) so you can repair the f*ckage to your disk without any of the nasties having a chance to load in. Maybe even pop the disk out, put it in a USB reader and hook it up post-desktop-load to someone else's machine that's already got good cleaning software on and has autorun disabled.

 

[TheDist]

Yep well, I've scanned completely three times, scanned Firefox and all it's folders multiple times (they were all clean but I deleted them anyway, just in case) and I've downloaded the most recent version.

Guess what? The installer won't even run!

Ok, just a few quick questions are you on windows XP or win7? and second would you be comfortable removing the registry entries for firefox? (since i did forget to mention doing this too)

 

[T-Bone24]

Yes, I did uninstall it first. I have a scan running now, and nothing's turned up yet. I've tried to download Chrome, and that won't open either. Bloody hell.

 

[T-Bone24]

Yep well, I've scanned completely three times, scanned Firefox and all it's folders multiple times (they were all clean but I deleted them anyway, just in case) and I've downloaded the most recent version.

Guess what? The installer won't even run!

Ok, just a few quick questions are you on windows XP or win7? and second would you be comfortable removing the registry entries for firefox? (since i did forget to mention doing this too)

Yeah, I'm using XP, and I have no idea what the rest of that means. I told you, I'm completely computer illiterate.

EDIT: Okay, this is starting to concern me. Scan came back clean again and only Internet Explorer will run, no other browsers will open. Other programmes are capable of running, like Steam, and I have no idea what's causing it.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Use Chrome or Safari if it doesn't work. Doesn't solve the Firefox issue, but they're good browsers.

Uninstall all of Firefox, reinstall latest version, or if that doesn't work put your computer into safe mode with networking and try it there. If THAT doesn't work try restoering your computer to a state before the problem occurred.

 

[swolf]

Punch your friend.

 

[T-Bone24]

I'm going to sound like a complete and utter moron right now and will lose all of my internet dignity, but; how do I do a system restore?

 

[T-Bone24]

Hrm... Chrome has the same problem as Firefox, opening maybe just for a split second then shutting down.

 

[Zacharine]

Yep well, I've scanned completely three times, scanned Firefox and all it's folders multiple times (they were all clean but I deleted them anyway, just in case) and I've downloaded the most recent version.

Guess what? The installer won't even run!

Ok, just a few quick questions are you on windows XP or win7? and second would you be comfortable removing the registry entries for firefox? (since i did forget to mention doing this too)

Yeah, I'm using XP, and I have no idea what the rest of that means. I told you, I'm completely computer illiterate.

EDIT: Okay, this is starting to concern me. Scan came back clean again and only Internet Explorer will run, no other browsers will open. Other programmes are capable of running, like Steam, and I have no idea what's causing it.

Okay, I think this calls for hardline measures. If you are uncomfortable about diving in into your system registry, I suggest restoring a savestate.

You have had the XP system restore point option activated, right?

 

[Zacharine]

I'm going to sound like a complete and utter moron right now and will lose all of my internet dignity, but; how do I do a system restore?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

that tells you how.

But beware, you might end up losing some installed programs, or custom settings etc.

 

[TheDist]

These might seem like odd questions, but which (if any) Anti-Virus software and firewall are you using?

I have heard of cases where certain anti-virus software and firewalls cause issues, and this also might sound odd too but maybe trying an older version of firefox might work such as 3.0 ( http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php this link has it if you wish to try that)

 

[T-Bone24]

Okay, done a system restore to before this whole kerfuffle. I'm going to reinstall.

 

[T-Bone24]

These might seem like odd questions, but which (if any) Anti-Virus software and firewall are you using?

I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

 

[T-Bone24]

Reinstalled and I'm back, baby. Cheers for the help everyone and I apologise for my hopeless knowledge of computers.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

If nothing works, reinstall. I've got chrome as my back up browser, just in case for whatever reason Firefox has an accident and needs the day off. (Yes, it has happened before and no, I refuse to go back to IE)

As for the Task Manager approach, I think the process is called firefox.exe *32. You might want to try messing with that before doing a full re-installation.

Oh, and be more careful about what sites you link to. Facebook is full of hidden dangers, don't fall for it.

Today is a good day. I'm on the top of a page XD

 

[T-Bone24]

Hey, I've got it all back and running now. Reinstalled and everything. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Vladamir69]

switch to google chrome.

 

[bawkbawkboo1]

One of the general troubleshooting tips I give people is to install CCleaner (make sure to uncheck the Yahoo toolbar or else the installer will put that shit on you computer) and check the registry. It isn't as thorough as a lot of other registry cleaners, but it usually doesn't have to be, and it also isn't as risky either. Sometimes this clears up problem caused by botched program installs etc.

 

[xDarc]

All you needed to do was go to start/run and type firefox -p and then delete your corrupted profile and create a new one. Bet you 10 bux.