Ex Firefox problems

[andsome]

Since trying, not liking, and getting rid of Firefox, I find that I can no longer click on links and follow them in Outlook Express. I can follow other links, such as from website, but not from OE. Any suggestions please. The little hand appears when I hover under the lick, but nothing happens when I click.

[mark2]

Check that IE is set as default browser, andsome

[Ash]

I tried it, IE hasn't managed to realize it isn't the default browser after 10 launches of it, but it might for you.

[andsome]

That checks out OK. IE is the default browser, in fact it is the only browser, OE is the default mail handler. I have uninstalled SP2, run the XPSP1 installation disc again, and reinstalled SP2 and applied ALL updates. Everything else is running as normal, with no problems. It is a minor fault but irritating. As I said, links from anywhere except OE will work. I wish I had never heard of Firefox.

[CurlyWhirly]

I expect you have already tried it but have you used system restore to a time before you installed Firefox?

[dogbreath1]

I like FF, so I've never had cause to uninstall it. However, I've appended below various discussion snippets that may lead you to a solution:-

'Something motivated me to be more persistent tonight... Found it!!!

Had to manually reset file associations for .HTM, .HTML, and various URL and other shortcuts that Firefox had co-opted.

Everything's peachy now'.

'Although it didn't involve Firefox, I seem to remember resolving a similar set of symptoms in the past by going to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add or Remove Windows Components, and uncheck Internet Explorer. Then I'd reboot, go to the same place and recheck Internet Explorer.

If it works for you, it might be easier than manually resetting all the file associations'.

'Uninstall appears to remove FF from the Programs folder but not from C:/Driver and Documents folder. Is it necessary to manually remove it from Drivers and Documents to completely eradicate it?'

'Yes. After you uninstall, do a search for Mozilla and also a second search for Firefox

Delete any folders found (or rename them if you want to keep them).

Be warned this will also get rid of bookmarks etc.'

'Basically when Firefox is uninstalled it removes all the program files, your bookmarks and all other data is stored in your profile(s) in (for windows) Documents & Settings > *User Name* > Application Data > Mozilla > Firefox > Profiles > *Profile Name or names*.

To do a clean re-install you should delete these folders. I always follow this up by running a Registry cleaner to wipe out any orphans before re-installing.'

Hope the above gives you something to chew on! Although part refers to work necessary prior to a reinstall, I would expect it to be equally necessary if you want to get your IE back to normal.

[deuces wild]

I wish I had never heard of Firefox.

With the problems you had I don't blame you. It is good program though.

Maybe God intended you to be an IE guy all along. :D

Hope you get things squared away.

[Cpt James T. Kirk]

hey andsome, thats one of the reasons i ditched FF. i had tried it as a alt to IE. they said you could use whichever one you wanted. when i had installed FF, i told it NOT to be default that IE was default. but it still hijacked everything on the computer with FF emblems for this and that instead of IE. screwed things up. stuff wouldnt work, etc... so i got rid of it. i had to go in, and i cant remember where it was i went to, and switch it back to show IE instead of FF on all emblems, (icons and such) and then all was fine. things were as normal. i dont know if any of this helps, but id thought i'd throw it in anyways.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Since trying, not liking, and getting rid of Firefox, I find that I can no longer click on links and follow them in Outlook Express. I can follow other links, such as from website, but not from OE. Any suggestions please. The little hand appears when I hover under the lick, but nothing happens when I click.

I had the same thing - very long time ago; before ever installing Firefox - and never found a solution to it. Eventually I installed Thunderbird, and everything worked well. Never started OE again since then.

[andsome]

I like FF, so I've never had cause to uninstall it. However, I've appended below various discussion snippets that may lead you to a solution:-

'Something motivated me to be more persistent tonight...  Found it!!!

Had to manually reset file associations for .HTM, .HTML, and various URL and other shortcuts that Firefox had co-opted.

Everything's peachy now'.

'Although it didn't involve Firefox, I seem to remember resolving a similar set of symptoms in the past by going to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add or Remove Windows Components, and uncheck Internet Explorer.  Then I'd reboot, go to the same place and recheck Internet Explorer.

If it works for you, it might be easier than manually resetting all the file associations'.

'Uninstall appears to remove FF from the Programs folder but not from C:/Driver and Documents folder. Is it necessary to manually remove it from Drivers and Documents to completely eradicate it?'

'Yes. After you uninstall, do a search for Mozilla and also a second search for Firefox

Delete any folders found (or rename them if you want to keep them).

Be warned this will also get rid of bookmarks etc.'

'Basically when Firefox is uninstalled it removes all the program files, your bookmarks and all other data is stored in your profile(s) in (for windows) Documents & Settings > *User Name* > Application Data > Mozilla > Firefox > Profiles > *Profile Name or names*.

To do a clean re-install you should delete these folders. I always follow this up by running a Registry cleaner to wipe out any orphans before re-installing.'

Hope the above gives you something to chew on! Although part refers to work necessary prior to a reinstall, I would expect it to be equally necessary if you want to get your IE back to normal.

Unfortunately this did not work. The only way that I have found that I can use the links from the forum, which I receive in e-mails, is to right click/copy and paste into the IE address bar and then press return. This is not as straight forward as simply clicking onto them, but at least I can use them. I can assure you that everything concerning Mozilla and Firefox, were first uninstalled, then files removed from Windows explorer, followed by Crap Cleaner and RegScrub XP, then a manual registry delete of the two remaining files. As I said, the computer is running fine, and IE is giving me no problems at all, it is just an inconvenience. Further to another suggestion, System Restore was the first thing that I tried, but I find that this works in probably as little as 50% of cases. I will leave things as they are for a while, unless there are any more suggestions, then I may decide to format and reinstall the O/S. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I am sorry, Andsome, that Firefox is causing you so much troubles. I have uninstalled FF in the past, and it appeared as if everything was completely gone after the uninstall. But anyway, I don't have any help with your current OE problem.

But I think I know now what caused your original problem with the SpellBound plugin in your "ashamed" thread. I just tried to install a different plugin today, and I clicked and clicked and clicked on the Install link, and nothing happened.

Until I realized that Firefox won't automatically let anything be installed without the user's explicit approval. A small section on top of the browser appears with the following text

To protect your computer, Firefox prevented this site (xyz.mozdev.org) from installing software on your computer.  [Edit Options...]

We have to use the [Edit Options] button and click [Allow] to allow download and installation for any plugin from that specific site.

Just thought I mention it in case you regain your confidence and try Firefox 1.1 later this year...

[andsome]

I have done yet another search in Google. I tried a solution offered on one web forum and it WORKED, but I cannot find the forum again to post a link here. I will look again later. It would appear that this is a common fault when people have installed Firefox, yet another reason as far as I am concerned NOT to try the program.

[andsome]

Here is the solution that worked for me. I hope that others may find it useful. It appears that although I was still showing as default browser, and OE as default mail client, Firefox had changed some settings which were nor reversed when it was uninstalled.

First: Load Internet Explorer; click: Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs Tab. Next, click Reset Web Settings, and Make sure to also uncheck "reset my home page" check box. Finally, go to Advanced tab and click Restore Defaults.

[CurlyWhirly]

Here is the solution that worked for me.  I hope that others may find it useful.  It appears that although I was still showing as default browser, and OE as default mail client,  Firefox had changed some settings which were nor reversed when it was uninstalled.

First: Load Internet Explorer; click: Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs Tab. Next, click Reset Web Settings, and Make sure to also uncheck "reset my home page" check box. Finally, go to Advanced tab and click Restore Defaults.

Thanks for going to the trouble of sharing your knowledge with us ;)

I have printed off your solution for future reference!

[andsome]

Here is the solution that worked for me.  I hope that others may find it useful.  It appears that although I was still showing as default browser, and OE as default mail client,  Firefox had changed some settings which were nor reversed when it was uninstalled.

First: Load Internet Explorer; click: Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs Tab. Next, click Reset Web Settings, and Make sure to also uncheck "reset my home page" check box. Finally, go to Advanced tab and click Restore Defaults.

Thanks for going to the trouble of sharing your knowledge with us ;)

I have printed off your solution for future reference!

Bear in mind that there were umpteen solution. I tried several and after several futile attempts, found that this one worked. It may not work for you.

[CurlyWhirly]

Bear in mind that there were umpteen solution.  I tried several and after several futile attempts, found that this one worked.  It may not work for you.

I have already used 'Reset web settings' to cure a homepage hijack last year, before I installed Spyware Blaster so I know that it can work!