Try:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Corrupt_localstore.rdf

The tab bar has not re-appeared. I am sorry, I am feeling very inept.

In regular mode, I went into the Profiles folder and deleted the file:

                     localstore.rdf

That did not work.

Then I went into the Firefox safe mode, found the suitable menu, checked these two choices in order:

                     reset toolbars...
                     make changes and restart.

Still no luck.

I tried, at the suitable step, to read the instructions for Windows XP first.

Thus, I have tried what I could figure out what to do, but with no luck. My Firefox screen still has no tab bar, and it looks the same as before, so I think (hope) I have done no damage to Firefox.

Clearly, I need some more help. Sorry for the bother.

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting#w_8-make-a-new-profile

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.

See:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox