Restoring places.sqlite
Hi, Would someone explain me how does places.sqlite works?
I accidently pressed "forget this site" instead of removing only 1 item from history it forgot all my searches on Google. (the link was a search on google) I have backup of my profile from April. I wanted to change places.sqlite as I read it will replace my history and bookmarks to the ones I had in April. but as I change it, after some time it rolled back to the 'newer history' before the replacement. I can't figure out how it works. I removed places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal also.
I tried various options but still same result. Is there any other file that Firefox rely on to replace my history? backup maybe? How to solve it?
Thanks, Shanny
Okulungisiwe
All Replies (11)
The places.sqlite file holds your history and bookmarks.
forget this site removes all data about the site. I think it will not remove bookmarks.
Just settings, cookies, cache . . .
If you replace the places.sqlite file with an older file, there should not be a problem,
unless the file was corrupted.
Did you close Firefox before replacing the file? Are you using sync?
FredMcD said
The places.sqlite file holds your history and bookmarks. forget this site removes all data about the site. I think it will not remove bookmarks.
Just settings, cookies, cache . . . If you replace the places.sqlite file with an older file, there should not be a problem,
unless the file was corrupted. Did you close Firefox before replacing the file? Are you using sync?
Hi, thanks for your reply. I did close Firefox before, and I am using sync with my old computer, is that a problem?
If I will open a new profile and add to it all the previous data can I use both profiles information in sync maybe?
If you have sync, and there is a problem anywhere, Shut Down Sync Immediately On All Devices to prevent the problem from spreading. Once the problem is fixed, perform the same repair on all computers/profiles before using sync again.
Is it possible to synch 2 profiles on the same computer? that's will solve it maybe...
Yes using Sync with 2 different Firefox user Profiles on the same PC, to synchronize the data between them works fine. I do that myself.
But how is that related to your original question with "forget this site"?
Depending upon how old the data is not all old history items may be ignored by Sync.
Also the places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal files are temporary files, where the data contained within those files gets written to the main places.sqlite file during the "shut-down" / closing of Firefox. When you see those files Firefox would likely be running (unless Firefox is really "messed up") and you shouldn't be messing around in the Profile folder unless Firefox is closed. It's almost as bad as touching with a live electric circuit when changing out a wall outlet or switch, but Firefox won't shock you other than possibly losing data. Turn the damn "power off" by closing Firefox first!
the-edmeister said
Yes using Sync with 2 different Firefox user Profiles on the same PC, to synchronize the data between them works fine. I do that myself. But how is that related to your original question with "forget this site"?
Depending upon how old the data is not all old history items may be ignored by Sync. Also the places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal files are temporary files, where the data contained within those files gets written to the main places.sqlite file during the "shut-down" / closing of Firefox. When you see those files Firefox would likely be running (unless Firefox is really "messed up") and you shouldn't be messing around in the Profile folder unless Firefox is closed. It's almost as bad as touching with a live electric circuit when changing out a wall outlet or switch, but Firefox won't shock you other than possibly losing data. Turn the damn "power off" by closing Firefox first!
Hi,
It is related because I couldn't manage to replace the history on my current profile so I thought I could "merge" the two profiles by syncing them and in this way I'll have both Historys of April with google & other sites from the current one.
I will check the power off thing out, maybe something went wrong when I shut it down.
Thanks
Okulungisiwe
the-edmeister said
Yes using Sync with 2 different Firefox user Profiles on the same PC, to synchronize the data between them works fine. I do that myself.
How to do this correctly?
Note that history data on the Sync server expires in 60 days and only 30 days of history is uploaded with the first initial Sync.
Are you sure that you still use the same profile ?
Do you possibly have a places.sqlite.corrupt file ?
cor-el said
Note that history data on the Sync server expires in 60 days and only 30 days of history is uploaded with the first initial Sync. Are you sure that you still use the same profile ? Do you possibly have a places.sqlite.corrupt file ?
I see.
I use the same profile and don't have such a file
Firefox only creates places.sqlite.corrupt when there is a problem with the actual places.sqlite database that can't be repaired, so if you do not have this file then there hasn't been such problems.
I asked because you appear to have a problem with using the places.sqlite backup and this would normally work.
cor-el said
Firefox only creates places.sqlite.corrupt when there is a problem with the actual places.sqlite database that can't be repaired, so if you do not have this file then there hasn't been such problems.
I asked because you appear to have a problem with using the places.sqlite backup and this would normally work.
I understand, that's why I don't get it. I replaced it but after a while it seems to change. suddenly I see sites that I visited recently, and not the backup history.
Okulungisiwe