Firefox..I give up.

[Mytical]

Ok right now I am using my mom's old computer and a laptop. The laptop is fine, no issues, but it was cheap and thus does not run certain programs. The old computer is still strong enough to run the programs I need..because it was a GOOD computer when I got it. However, after years of my mother using it (who is not tech savy at all)...certain programs are borked. I've managed to get rid of the couple HUNDRED viruses, trojan horses, and such. How she managed this, when all she does is play on facebook and things like Bejeweled is a mystery. Anyhow..I have uninstalled Firefox, and re installed it..and it still will not launch..at all. I am somewhat ok at things, but I am not even close to being a guru..if uninstall/reinstall does not work..I am clueless. Anything that I can do, or is it borked beyond help?

[Mriswith]

When I receive a used computer, and I want to make sure everything is working right, I prefer the format-n-reinstall method. No worries about having to dig someone elses crap out of my system. Also, if you do FnR frequently, you might look into Ninite. It's a wonderful timesaver

[ender]

I'd also suggest the nuke-and-pave method - it's usually faster than trying to figure out what went wrong and fixing that (it's also much easier to guarantee that you didn't miss something when cleaning). Copy the documents to an external drive, then reinstall.

If you really wish to avoid that, you can try renaming Firefox's profile - press Win+R on keyboard, type %APPDATA%, go to Mozilla folder and rename the Firefox folder in there - that should give you a fresh profile to start with. Note that this will clear your bookmarks.

[Mikkel]

Note that this will clear your bookmarks.

The bookmarks can be exported as html and imported again after the reinstall.

[emax4]

You can also hold down the Option key when launching the program to start Firefox in safe mode.

[Mytical]

Well there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth, much nuking from orbit was done..but finally..and Mytical means Finally the Mozilla has come back to my desktop *raises the peoples eyebrow*

[Geek King]

[...], when all she does is play on facebook and things like Bejeweled is a mystery.

Bolding mine.

There's yer problem. Facebook is one of the most popular places for virus writers to foist their code from. There's multiple ways to get infected, and when facebook fixes an exploit, the virus folks just figure out another workaround. Anywhere you have lots of people visiting, you will have people who write viruses and tracking programs trying to get people infected. Its just a matter of them going where the people are, unfortunately.