Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Install/Uninstall process stalling ""libsmime3.dylib is in use"!?

  • 7 replies
  • 164 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by alaker

more options

Hi Team Im working on my Macbook running OS X 10.5.8. Since I can remember I have been using Thunderbird & Firefox as my stock Mail Client & Browser. I had some problems with my Firefox browser so decided to remove the Application Files and re-install.

I can install Firefox without issue but when I open it up a "Alert" box pops up stating...

Could not initialize the application's security component. The most likely cause is problems with files in your application's profile directory. Please check that this directory has no read/write restrictions and your hard disk is not full or close to full. It is recommended that you exit the application and fix the problem. If you continue to use this session, you might see incorrect application behaviour when accessing security features.

I click okay and Firefox starts but I cannot access any pages. I try to start in "Safe Mode" but again nothing seems to work.

So again I figure remove or "Move to Trash" all the Application Files but I am unable to remove all files because I get the following errors from the trash can for these files...

"The operation cannot be completed because the item "libsmime3dylib" is in use."

The same error pops for these files too... "libplds4.dylib" "libplc4.dylib" "libnssutil3.dylib" "libnss3.dylib" "libbspr4.dylib"

I try and search in Spotlight for these files no no results are returned.

I hope I have provided enough information for you to investigate & help.

Keep up the good work. All the best, Kriss

Hi Team Im working on my Macbook running OS X 10.5.8. Since I can remember I have been using Thunderbird & Firefox as my stock Mail Client & Browser. I had some problems with my Firefox browser so decided to remove the Application Files and re-install. I can install Firefox without issue but when I open it up a "Alert" box pops up stating... ''Could not initialize the application's security component. The most likely cause is problems with files in your application's profile directory. Please check that this directory has no read/write restrictions and your hard disk is not full or close to full. It is recommended that you exit the application and fix the problem. If you continue to use this session, you might see incorrect application behaviour when accessing security features.'' I click okay and Firefox starts but I cannot access any pages. I try to start in "Safe Mode" but again nothing seems to work. So again I figure remove or "Move to Trash" all the Application Files but I am unable to remove all files because I get the following errors from the trash can for these files... "The operation cannot be completed because the item "libsmime3dylib" is in use." The same error pops for these files too... "libplds4.dylib" "libplc4.dylib" "libnssutil3.dylib" "libnss3.dylib" "libbspr4.dylib" I try and search in Spotlight for these files no no results are returned. I hope I have provided enough information for you to investigate & help. Keep up the good work. All the best, Kriss

Chosen solution

If you use cisco anywhere connect VPN, you might want to check here:

http://siliconchaos.blogspot.com/2010/08/installing-firefox-4-beta-2-error-on.html

Or try opening terminal and typing: sudo killall vpnagentd

(From http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1955891)

Read this answer in context 👍 29

All Replies (7)

more options

Chosen Solution

If you use cisco anywhere connect VPN, you might want to check here:

http://siliconchaos.blogspot.com/2010/08/installing-firefox-4-beta-2-error-on.html

Or try opening terminal and typing: sudo killall vpnagentd

(From http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1955891)

Modified by gkoberger

more options

Perfect. Thank you so much. I do use the Cisco VPN app. Firefox 4 installed and running perfectly. Thank you for your time and the response.

more options

Oh... And...

/removes google chrome :)

\o/

more options

I had the same problem sudo killall did work, but the process was respawning way too faster. So I did the following and it worked, using FF4, awesome BTW.

while [ true ]; do sudo killall vpnagentd; sleep 1; done

more options

Hi, I am using MAC 10.5.8 and did FF4 updagrade. I encountered this problem too and found this. I entered sudo killall vpnagentd in the terminal and got a warning message,

WARNING: Improper use of the sudo command could lead to data loss or the deletion of important system files. Please double-check your typing when using sudo. Type "man sudo" for more information".

Do you think its OK to proceed? Please help, thanks.

more options

Another solution for the same issue here.

Hope it helps!

ES

more options

WHEW!! This worked like a charm. I was at a point where I couldn't start either the new FF4 or the older FF3.. THANKS!!