InformAction Forums

I have Firefox ver 3.5.3, NoScript ver 1.9.9.11, and a constant message saying: "This add-on will be installed when Firefox is restarted." However, after repeated attempts at the latter, I've had no success with the former. Any clue as to what I'm missing to get NoScript working again on my browser? I don't want to leave home without it, anymore.

In fact, I've noticed a long list of Firefox Extensions in the same condition: Clear Cache Button; CLEO; FEBE; FoxyProxy; RefControl; SortPlaces; Stealther; and Tab Mix Plus. The "last thing I did" was to update to Firefox ver 3.5.3, and then clicked "Find Updates" (for my installed extensions). I'd appreciate any help in showing where I've wandered off the trail, here.

Thanks.

Sounds like the extensions database is corrupted. Exit Firefox, delete the files mentioned here in this linked article, restart Firefox. Uncorrupted versions of the files will be automatically regenerated. Corrupt_extension_files

Hope this helps. Please let us know whether it does.

Just to add one remote possibility: Are you by any chance using Sandboxie to secure your browsing? In its safest configuration, Sandboxie deletes all files upon being closed, so when you restart the browser, there aren't any installation files left.

Getting updates with a Sandboxed browser involves a multi-step process to remove the installers from the sandbox before closing it, or else opening a non-Sandboxed browser to download and install the updates and restart the non-Sandbox browser. Then you can close it and go back to the Sandboxed version, which will duly clone the newly-updated browser with its add-ons.

Alan Baxter is probably right, but thought I'd offer this just-in-case. Good luck.

<RESOLVED>
Thanks to all who responded to my call for help. The short story is that my system seems to have regained it's health (sorry for the anthropromorphic comparison, but I try to be kind to my PC's emotions). All of my Firefox extensions which were "hanging fire", yesterday, did install themselves, today.

To Alan: I did try the "fix the corrupted extension DB" bit, last night, before I posted -- no joy.

To Tom: I'd thought about Sandboxie, but it's on another, physically seperate PC -- again, no joy.

However, my ego is strong enough to admit this: with some ~40 years of hands-on computer / IT / management under my belt, and seeing that my NoScript came back (updated, too!) when I booted up this morning, I can only come to one conclusion. There really is something to be said for believing in Harry Potter and my acceptance of being just a lowly muggle. There are just some things we're not meant to fully understand. I don't like it, but I can live with it.

Unless, the real magic is performed just by posting to this forum, of course!

Thanks all for the swift responses. It's much appreciated.

(On a more practical note: Can something be done with the captcha system, here? I had to get help to "read" the silly thing -- and even then, we got it wrong. I'm partially color blind and it was extremely difficult to make out several of the characters. How about a button to generate a new one if the captcha is indecipherable to those of us with a disability?)

JP-IT-Mgr wrote: but I try to be kind to my PC's emotions).

Of course! They're delicate, sensitive creatures! They don't take to abuse or neglect any better than any human or animal would!

Unless, the real magic is performed just by posting to this forum, of course!

It's solved a number of issues in the past (truthfully). So, if correlation implies causation ....

Thanks all for the swift responses. It's much appreciated.

Our pleasure. Glad it's resolved, and I'll so mark the topic.

JP-IT-Mgr wrote:(On a more practical note: Can something be done with the captcha system, here? I had to get help to "read" the silly thing -- and even then, we got it wrong. I'm partially color blind and it was extremely difficult to make out several of the characters. How about a button to generate a new one if the captcha is indecipherable to those of us with a disability?)

I have fine color vision, but have the same complaint at many sites. I've had to hit that button as many as seven times. As optical character readers (read, "spambots") get better, the characters have to be more and more jumbled. I'll make this a Feature Request in the Development Forum. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Also please note that registration takes only a minute or two, and eliminates the captcha altogether. Of course, we hope you don't have any more problems with NS, but perhaps you may have other comments or suggestions some time. Please feel free to register -- no penalty for registering and then never posting again, you know.

Cheers,
- Tom T.