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Re-installed linux; Firefox doesn't use my old profile.

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 42 views
  • Last reply by Michael K.

Michael K.
Michael K.
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I had to reinstall my OS (linuxmint - debian edition - 201403). I left /home intact. After the process, I checked the profile -- nothing was changed. So I ran Firefox. But, my bookmarks didn't load (only the few that come with a new install). It didn't load the preferences either. I tried some tricks to get it to load my profile (i.e. create a new profile and copy the contents, Help>Troubleshooting Information -- Reset). Still no joy. I even tried running in a shell with -P <profile> for both the original and new profiles. Still no bookmarks (or anything from my original profile).

Also, on the Help>Troubleshooting Information page, I click 'open directory' and see my original profile.

What's wrong, and how do I fix it?

I had to reinstall my OS (linuxmint - debian edition - 201403). I left /home intact. After the process, I checked the profile -- nothing was changed. So I ran Firefox. But, my bookmarks didn't load (only the few that come with a new install). It didn't load the preferences either. I tried some tricks to get it to load my profile (i.e. create a new profile and copy the contents, Help>Troubleshooting Information -- Reset). Still no joy. I even tried running in a shell with -P <profile> for both the original and new profiles. Still no bookmarks (or anything from my original profile). Also, on the Help>Troubleshooting Information page, I click 'open directory' and see my original profile. What's wrong, and how do I fix it?

Modified by Michael K.

Chosen solution

Ok, I figured it out. I had Firefox running (to check how to work with profiles). I quit the program, then copied the old profile. Well, I tried copying on a freshly-booted machine -- it worked!

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

FredMcD
FredMcD
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The program may have created a new profile.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

Michael K.
Michael K. Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Ok, I figured it out. I had Firefox running (to check how to work with profiles). I quit the program, then copied the old profile. Well, I tried copying on a freshly-booted machine -- it worked!