Mozilla Firefox backup not working

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Kristof

PCHF Member
Feb 22, 2024
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My computer died. I use Mozilla Firefox and as I was logged in I assumed all my passwords and favourite bookmarks were saved to my account. However, I fired up an old computer and logged into Firefox, expecting all of my saved data to be restored from my account. But, what happened was that Firefox backed up the data from the old computer overwriting what had been saved from the computer that died.

Is there any way I can restore the data that was there before my new computer died?
 
They should have been sync'd as long as you told FF to do so.
Have you checked in Settings > click on your account > Sync Settings > in the Sync area, check Passwords are in the list of items to sync.

Can you still access the drive from the dead PC, if so, in C:\Users\<your account>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ you'll find logins.json which contains your passwords, but if you want all your settings, copy the the whole folder and paste it into the new profile FF created on the 'new' PC.
 
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Thanks for your fast reply.
I had to restet the password when I started on the old PC as I'd forgotten it.
The dead PC is under warranty and the engineer is supposed to be coming today to fix it, hopefully I'll get use of the HDD back with all my stuff on it. If he just changes out the whole computer I'll ask him for the HDD so I can get access to it.
 
Engineer did a few diagnostics and fitted a new motherboard. The new board wouldn't even run diagnostics so he's ordered a new processor and new memory. I'm thinking it might be the power supply but I'm waiting for him to come back again. My first HP computer and probably my last.

No change on the Firefox problem, I'm hoping that all will be solved when the computers fixed.
 
Engineer came yesterday and fitted new memory and new processor to the new motherboard. Still exactly the same, won't even boot to the setup menu or the HP diagnostic USB. He's now ordered a new power supply as it's the only thing left to change. Returning on Tuesday to try again. If this fails then it's a new computer.

Definitely my last HP computer.

Meanwhile, I've ordered an M.2 to USB adaptor so I can get my data from the hard drive, which will hopefully sort out my Firefox problem.

I'll keep you updated...
 
You visited the forum but left no update Kristof, do you still need help or is the issue now resolved.
 
Sorry for delay in updating.
Engineer attended on Tuesday for the third time. This time replacing the power supply, which hasn't fixed the problem of the computer not starting up. Everything has been renewed in the computer - but not at the same time. Each time a new part was fitted, and it didn't fix the problem, the original part was put back. They now think the motherboard is faulty and the replacement motherboard was also faulty - but of course there's no way to test this theory other than try yet another motherboard.
The problem has now been escalated to HP complaints department. I chased them yesterday but was told to wait for a phone call, which might take 48 to 72 hours.
As and when the computer is fixed or renewed, I'll try to solve my original problem of retrieving my Firefox data.
 
What a nightmare for you and no worries, we understand that folk have other things to attend to but due to the large volume of abandoned threads you get on forums we have to have a procedure in place for asking for an update if a thread goes quiet for a couple of days or more.

Should we close the thread or leave it open until over the weekend.
 
If you can leave it open please as my original problem still stands. Or if you want, you can close it, and I'll post again when I have a working computer.
 
Because there is no known repair date and to avoid us having to ask for an update every couple of days we will close this thread until you have a working PC and the time available to work towards resolving the issue, PM a member of staff when you are ready and the thread can be reopened.

Good luck.
 
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