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I have a Mac 10.7.5, I began to receive the following message when it FF opened on startup:

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  • Last reply by meclavel

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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 have restarted the computer; de- and reinstalled Firefox twice with no change. I have been unable to open my Mac email for some time before that, as it keeps kicking it offline. I have no idea whether those are related. Can you help?

Thank You, Maureen Clavel

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 have restarted the computer; de- and reinstalled Firefox twice with no change. I have been unable to open my Mac email for some time before that, as it keeps kicking it offline. I have no idea whether those are related. Can you help? Thank You, Maureen Clavel

Chosen solution

Hello Maureen Clavel, delete the cert8.db file in the Firefox profile folder.

see also : Fix the "Could not initialize the application's security component" error message

you can check also, if the issue exist in a new profile

Recovering important data from an old profile


thank you

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Chosen Solution

Hello Maureen Clavel, delete the cert8.db file in the Firefox profile folder.

see also : Fix the "Could not initialize the application's security component" error message

you can check also, if the issue exist in a new profile

Recovering important data from an old profile


thank you

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Thank you. I am unable to locate the Firefox profile folder. I've looked in Firefox and on the Mac. Not to be thick, but where is it?

Thanks again, Maureen

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You are a freaking genius. Thank you!!!!!! Thank you!!!! Thank You!!!!

Best,

Maureen