More info: the file sessionstore.js shows a date of 25 May 2011. Shouldn't this file be re-dating itself each time Firefox is used?

Session Restore

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Session%20Restore

Check and tell if its working.

Which prefs did you change?

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode.

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Private+Browsing
• You enter Private Browsing mode if you select: Tools > Options > Privacy > History: Firefox will: "Never Remember History"
• To see all History and Cookie settings, choose: Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
• Deselect: [ ] "Permanent Private Browsing mode"

It is possible that there is a problem with the files sessionstore.js and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.

Delete the files sessionstore.js [2] and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

If you see files sessionstore-##.js with a number in the left part of the name like sessionstore-1.js then delete those as well. Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost, so you will have to create them again (make a note or bookmark them).

See also:

• [1] http://kb.mozillazine.org/Session_Restore
• [2] http://kb.mozillazine.org/sessionstore.js

Thanks for your helpful suggestions - which I had already tried without success as some options (such as restore previous session) were unavailable.

Finally sorted what the problem was.

When going to Firefox>options>options one must FIRST go to the privacy tab and change to use custom settings for history. At this stage the other options are still greyed out.

Then CLOSE the options box.

RE-OPEN Firefox>options>options and now the settings can be enabled or disabled as required.

Now all I need is for Firefox to crash again to confirm that this has resolved all my problems. Will re-post when I know one way or another.

You don't need to wait for Firefox to Crash, open some tabs and windows and then click Firefox button and click Exit. Now Startup Firefox again. If your tabs & windows appear OR if you see Restore Previous Session button on homepage, then your problem is resolved. Also,

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Thanks for your help. As mentioned elsewhere, this step was also necessary:

When going to Firefox>options>options one must FIRST go to the privacy tab and change to use custom settings for history. At this stage the other options are still greyed out.

Then CLOSE the options box.

Interestingly Firefox has not crashed since these changes were made. I forced it to close using Task Manager and all tabs were recovered afterwards.

RE-OPEN Firefox>options>options and now the settings can be enabled or disabled as required.