Firefox 6.0.1 will not start, previously worked, re-install no effect
Hi, have tried all solutions found in ExpE and Googling.
Have used FF since V2 upgrading to each version currently 6.0.1, no porblems at all. My o/s XP Pro 64bit. 2 days ago I renewed my Avast Pro AV licence which upgraded me to V 6.0.123. On using Firefox next day it would not load. I disabled Avast webshiled, then all shields, FF still stalls.
Task Manager shows FF as a single process, but not under Applications tab. Avast say there is no known issue with FF. I removed FF, cleared the Registry of FF keys and ran CCleaner. I removed any FF leftovers. I re-installed, FF stalls as before. I did the re-install 2 more times trying different methods, FF still stalls. Task Manager shows it stalls at around 36Mb Memory usage
I ran WinDbg opening the FF executable in WinDbg. Also checked with HiJackThis that there was no issue showing. Also ran Process Explorer.
Now when I try to open FF, I get "Application failed to initialise properly (0x80000003) and Task Manager shows it stalls at 772Kb. I have looked at numerous Google results for that failure code, none seem to relate.
Every other program works ok, for webdev work i also use IE, Safari, Opera and Chrome, all are working fine. It is as if there is a code specifically stopping FF from loading
The WinDbg report is
Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.12.0002.633 AMD64
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
CommandLine: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
Symbol search path is: *** Invalid ***
**************************
* Symbol loading may be unreliable without a symbol search path. *
* Use .symfix to have the debugger choose a symbol path. *
* After setting your symbol path, use .reload to refresh symbol locations. *
**************************
Executable search path is:
ModLoad: 00000000`00400000 00000000`004e0000 firefox.exe
ModLoad: 00000000`77ec0000 00000000`77ffc000 ntdll.dll
ModLoad: 00000000`6b000000 00000000`6b046000 C:\WINDOWS\system32\wow64.
ModLoad: 00000000`6b280000 00000000`6b2ca000 C:\WINDOWS\system32\wow64w
ModLoad: 00000000`78b80000 00000000`78b89000 C:\WINDOWS\system32\wow64c
(17f8.14e8): Break instruction exception - code 80000003 (first chance)
*** ERROR: Symbol file could not be found. Defaulted to export symbols for ntdll.dll -
ntdll!DbgBreakPoint:
00000000`77ef24f0 cc int 3
0:000> gn
(17f8.14e8): Break instruction exception - code 80000003 (first chance)
ntdll!RtlRaiseStatus+0x18:
00000000`77f53b08 ff33 push qword ptr [rbx] ds:00000000`80000003=?????
Have used FF since V2 upgrading to each version currently 6.0.1, no porblems at all. My o/s XP Pro 64bit. 2 days ago I renewed my Avast Pro AV licence which upgraded me to V 6.0.123. On using Firefox next day it would not load. I disabled Avast webshiled, then all shields, FF still stalls.
Task Manager shows FF as a single process, but not under Applications tab. Avast say there is no known issue with FF. I removed FF, cleared the Registry of FF keys and ran CCleaner. I removed any FF leftovers. I re-installed, FF stalls as before. I did the re-install 2 more times trying different methods, FF still stalls. Task Manager shows it stalls at around 36Mb Memory usage
I ran WinDbg opening the FF executable in WinDbg. Also checked with HiJackThis that there was no issue showing. Also ran Process Explorer.
Now when I try to open FF, I get "Application failed to initialise properly (0x80000003) and Task Manager shows it stalls at 772Kb. I have looked at numerous Google results for that failure code, none seem to relate.
Every other program works ok, for webdev work i also use IE, Safari, Opera and Chrome, all are working fine. It is as if there is a code specifically stopping FF from loading
The WinDbg report is
Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.12.0002.633 AMD64
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
CommandLine: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
Symbol search path is: *** Invalid ***
**************************
* Symbol loading may be unreliable without a symbol search path. *
* Use .symfix to have the debugger choose a symbol path. *
* After setting your symbol path, use .reload to refresh symbol locations. *
**************************
Executable search path is:
ModLoad: 00000000`00400000 00000000`004e0000 firefox.exe
ModLoad: 00000000`77ec0000 00000000`77ffc000 ntdll.dll
ModLoad: 00000000`6b000000 00000000`6b046000 C:\WINDOWS\system32\wow64.
ModLoad: 00000000`6b280000 00000000`6b2ca000 C:\WINDOWS\system32\wow64w
ModLoad: 00000000`78b80000 00000000`78b89000 C:\WINDOWS\system32\wow64c
(17f8.14e8): Break instruction exception - code 80000003 (first chance)
*** ERROR: Symbol file could not be found. Defaulted to export symbols for ntdll.dll -
ntdll!DbgBreakPoint:
00000000`77ef24f0 cc int 3
0:000> gn
(17f8.14e8): Break instruction exception - code 80000003 (first chance)
ntdll!RtlRaiseStatus+0x18:
00000000`77f53b08 ff33 push qword ptr [rbx] ds:00000000`80000003=?????
SOLUTION
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did you try removing FF from removing software, then verify that FF folder on windows do not exist and then go to regedit and remove it from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWAR
ASKER
Thanks for the 3 answers guys, tried all suggestions exhaustively. Went back to FFv5 which certainly worked fine before, as did 6, still get the 80000003 error.
I had before done a full registry search for FF and removed the keys for it, each time i did a re-install. Also I use Revo Uninstaller which does a search for registry keys and leftovers.
Its not a 64bit issue either. FF has always worked well for me on XP64. However, i did try the 64 bit alternatives.
I also resolved a permissions issue affecting XP64 under Event ID 10016 in the Event log just in case it was now affecting, still no luck.
I hope someone can find a solution, this is now seriously affecting my work flow.
Regards Jonathan
I had before done a full registry search for FF and removed the keys for it, each time i did a re-install. Also I use Revo Uninstaller which does a search for registry keys and leftovers.
Its not a 64bit issue either. FF has always worked well for me on XP64. However, i did try the 64 bit alternatives.
I also resolved a permissions issue affecting XP64 under Event ID 10016 in the Event log just in case it was now affecting, still no luck.
I hope someone can find a solution, this is now seriously affecting my work flow.
Regards Jonathan
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks Kpax77, but, same result.
I did think from what I said at first that it is a Windows or malware issue. But Avast have looked at it in depth and they say it's not viral nor Malware, nor is it due to Avast itself (it started after installing the latest Avast which happened when I renewed my subs with them). I have carried out several actions they asked for to check if it's Avast including removing their programme altogether and trying out Firefox.
I can not get to the bottom of what the failure dialogue box means - which is when I try to open FF. I get "Application failed to initialise properly (0x80000003). This message happened a few hours after FF first failing to open at an install level using around 356Mb use of memory. Now Task Manager shows it stalls at 772Kb.
Something is blocking it. What does the 80000003 message mean???? It is ONLY affecting Firefox. I have also tried opening FF under the Guest account incase it is something in my login profile. Same result.
Is there any utility which can track what happens as a programme loads ?? I have already used Process Explorer and copied the report in my first msg in this thread.
And to check its not Malware again, which is the best Malware defender - that is not Malware in itself !!
Regards Jonathan
I did think from what I said at first that it is a Windows or malware issue. But Avast have looked at it in depth and they say it's not viral nor Malware, nor is it due to Avast itself (it started after installing the latest Avast which happened when I renewed my subs with them). I have carried out several actions they asked for to check if it's Avast including removing their programme altogether and trying out Firefox.
I can not get to the bottom of what the failure dialogue box means - which is when I try to open FF. I get "Application failed to initialise properly (0x80000003). This message happened a few hours after FF first failing to open at an install level using around 356Mb use of memory. Now Task Manager shows it stalls at 772Kb.
Something is blocking it. What does the 80000003 message mean???? It is ONLY affecting Firefox. I have also tried opening FF under the Guest account incase it is something in my login profile. Same result.
Is there any utility which can track what happens as a programme loads ?? I have already used Process Explorer and copied the report in my first msg in this thread.
And to check its not Malware again, which is the best Malware defender - that is not Malware in itself !!
Regards Jonathan
SOLUTION
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did you try forcing firefox to start in safe mode by holding down the shift key while clicking the item as it might be a faulty plugin/addon
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Many thnaks for your comments and suggestions, a lot of data to go through reading links, some of them link to pages no longer supported by Msoft. And all Msoft's viral/malware scan services are not XP64 supported.
Re profile, I did at first try using my unused Guest login - last used about a year ago. Same FF problem there. I tried the profile suggestion, no luck.
Re FF safe mode, yes that was one of the first things I tried using the 2 methods available. This did not start with a Msoft update, it was after the Avast renewal and update although Avast deny any issue and I have been through their suggestions.
One thing I remember now that happened after the Avast update was that Avast launched its Chromium secure browser, I inadvertently hit the large launch button when passing mouse over it, all my screens went dim. I closed Avast to get back to normal screens and then re-opened. I can't find any issues related to Chromium.
My last resort is to try System Restore, I have plenty of restore points, did not want to loose some useful configuration I did after the problem arose.
Regds Jonathan
Re profile, I did at first try using my unused Guest login - last used about a year ago. Same FF problem there. I tried the profile suggestion, no luck.
Re FF safe mode, yes that was one of the first things I tried using the 2 methods available. This did not start with a Msoft update, it was after the Avast renewal and update although Avast deny any issue and I have been through their suggestions.
One thing I remember now that happened after the Avast update was that Avast launched its Chromium secure browser, I inadvertently hit the large launch button when passing mouse over it, all my screens went dim. I closed Avast to get back to normal screens and then re-opened. I can't find any issues related to Chromium.
My last resort is to try System Restore, I have plenty of restore points, did not want to loose some useful configuration I did after the problem arose.
Regds Jonathan
ASKER
System restore .... that was scary. Took a point 2 days before the problem, on starting up again it went into continuous cycling of re-boot, getting to Windows splash page, re-start, followed by getting to the Raid disk check healthy and re-starting, then going as far as Windows splash page and so on.
After 90 mins, in case it was writing back in stages needing a re-boot each time, it was clear it had stalled in an endless iteration of re-booting. I managed to grab a safe mode boot when it was in the Windows splash page, got into safe mode, and it said it had sucessfully restored to an earlier point (yeah !) and sslected go back to original pre-restore point. Relief I have my FF deficient machine working again, just an afternoon's work time wasted trying.
So, it looks like it needs a clean re-install of Windows, not done it since January, so would be useful anyway to clean out hidden remnants. One question to cut down the 3 days it took last time to re-load all my programmes. My progs are on a physically separate C drive which is partitioned into C and X. My system programs and Msoft progs are in C, my other programs are in X. All data is on a pair of drives on RAID, and backups on a 4th drive, plus external drives.
If I re-format the C partition and reinstall XP 64, I guess, as the registry is rewritten, I will have to re-install all the other progs in the X partition ???? I was going to do a re-format later this year when I go to Windows 7 x64. As I plan to put all 5 machines on, I needed to defer the cost a while :((
Rgds Jonathan
After 90 mins, in case it was writing back in stages needing a re-boot each time, it was clear it had stalled in an endless iteration of re-booting. I managed to grab a safe mode boot when it was in the Windows splash page, got into safe mode, and it said it had sucessfully restored to an earlier point (yeah !) and sslected go back to original pre-restore point. Relief I have my FF deficient machine working again, just an afternoon's work time wasted trying.
So, it looks like it needs a clean re-install of Windows, not done it since January, so would be useful anyway to clean out hidden remnants. One question to cut down the 3 days it took last time to re-load all my programmes. My progs are on a physically separate C drive which is partitioned into C and X. My system programs and Msoft progs are in C, my other programs are in X. All data is on a pair of drives on RAID, and backups on a 4th drive, plus external drives.
If I re-format the C partition and reinstall XP 64, I guess, as the registry is rewritten, I will have to re-install all the other progs in the X partition ???? I was going to do a re-format later this year when I go to Windows 7 x64. As I plan to put all 5 machines on, I needed to defer the cost a while :((
Rgds Jonathan
Do a Windows repair first before formatting
So you managed to restore it!
You're bearing all of those troubles because of x64 windows? (because of a little more performance?)
If you use x86 windows you will live better with support of almost all of the softwares !
Anyway, Good Luck !
You're bearing all of those troubles because of x64 windows? (because of a little more performance?)
If you use x86 windows you will live better with support of almost all of the softwares !
Anyway, Good Luck !
ASKER
Thanks kpaxx77, but, it did not restore, the system restore failed / stalled and I managed to revert to the way it was before. I think I have accepted I need to re-format C drive.
Re XP x64, it has stood me considerable increase in performance because my work requires that I do a lot of video and rendering for animated sequences using virtual people to depict one process or another in our on-line learning system modules, and often with 8 or more high demand programmes running. Being able to use 10Gb RAM instead of being trapped to 3, and the higher processing speed is fantastic. But, poor old XP 64 which worked well and was really stable & reliable is not really supported anymore, so, I have to go to Win 7 x64. I was also giving Win 7 time to fully de-bug.
Thanks to all for the help given. Rgds Jonathan
Re XP x64, it has stood me considerable increase in performance because my work requires that I do a lot of video and rendering for animated sequences using virtual people to depict one process or another in our on-line learning system modules, and often with 8 or more high demand programmes running. Being able to use 10Gb RAM instead of being trapped to 3, and the higher processing speed is fantastic. But, poor old XP 64 which worked well and was really stable & reliable is not really supported anymore, so, I have to go to Win 7 x64. I was also giving Win 7 time to fully de-bug.
Thanks to all for the help given. Rgds Jonathan
Oops !
I didn't knew you have so much to do . . .
You're right in your case x64 is really necessary !
But if you're switching to windows 7 because of a little firefox I recommend you not to do that.
Reinstalling XP will definitely restore your app.
Don't fear if Microsoft says that it's not supported !
I will love and keep my dear windows XP until death takes it from me!
No one even Microsoft can't!
There is always work arounds to escape Microsoft. (From forcing people to move to win7!)
Just try this simple google search for fun:
http://www.google.com/search?q=hate+windows+7
I didn't knew you have so much to do . . .
You're right in your case x64 is really necessary !
But if you're switching to windows 7 because of a little firefox I recommend you not to do that.
Reinstalling XP will definitely restore your app.
Don't fear if Microsoft says that it's not supported !
I will love and keep my dear windows XP until death takes it from me!
No one even Microsoft can't!
There is always work arounds to escape Microsoft. (From forcing people to move to win7!)
Just try this simple google search for fun:
http://www.google.com/search?q=hate+windows+7
I've requested that this question be deleted for the following reason:
This question has been classified as abandoned and is closed as part of the Cleanup Program. See the recommendation for more details.
This question has been classified as abandoned and is closed as part of the Cleanup Program. See the recommendation for more details.
ASKER
Hi, I made a response last week while away on holiday, when I received a notification that there had been no activity on the topic. I left it open as I could not see a way to close the topic where there is no solution offered. Last week I made a selection of the person responsible for a solution (who was kpaxx77) and noted that in fact no solution had been offered but that kpaxx77 had been the most helpful in trying a find a solution.
I note this as I do not see the entry made last week in the thread above.
Regards Jonathan
I note this as I do not see the entry made last week in the thread above.
Regards Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan. but too late. . .
ASKER
Hi kpaxx77, for future reference, how do I end a thread when there is no solution found. All the buttons are for closing when a solution is found .... which is why I left it open. I don't wish to be marked down as someone who did not properly manage their query and offered solutions, or waste the time of the experts responding.
Rgds Jonathan
Rgds Jonathan
You should select "Award points" button and then select one of your comments and in the box present your reason. (No one answered this)
This will start a "Close request" with no points awarded to anyone.!
You can also accept your comment as the solution (with no points and the reason for closing) and select other comments to be awarded. This way you thank people for participation.
You can delete the question alternatively.
Good luck
This will start a "Close request" with no points awarded to anyone.!
You can also accept your comment as the solution (with no points and the reason for closing) and select other comments to be awarded. This way you thank people for participation.
You can delete the question alternatively.
Good luck
ASKER
Thanks for the directions, I will know what to do in future. When I got the notification last week, there being no further solution offered, and not knowing how to end the thread, I did make a reply response and selected kpax77 as the most helpful expert responding providing numerous suggestions, and I noted what had happened. It seems this entry has not registered.
I had also left the question open for reference by others as I felt the information provided by various experts was helpful in resolving similar problems, even if it did not directly resolve my issue. From the guidance notes, I thought this was a correct action.
I also note here that I have looked at the link that LeeTutor gave regarding how to end a thread. On the point for deletion of a question, it says "The Delete Question button is located near the text of your original post.", but, I can not see this anywhere. I can see the "Request Attention" button. As I can not delete, I leave this open until it is auto deleted 1st Oct.
Rgds Jonathan
I had also left the question open for reference by others as I felt the information provided by various experts was helpful in resolving similar problems, even if it did not directly resolve my issue. From the guidance notes, I thought this was a correct action.
I also note here that I have looked at the link that LeeTutor gave regarding how to end a thread. On the point for deletion of a question, it says "The Delete Question button is located near the text of your original post.", but, I can not see this anywhere. I can see the "Request Attention" button. As I can not delete, I leave this open until it is auto deleted 1st Oct.
Rgds Jonathan
You can see that button beside the "Request attention" button. If it's not here, it's probable that it's hidden after "Auto close" process.
You can still split points by Saying that "The information on this question is useful and I want the points to be awarded" and press Object button in bottom of the screen.
The Moderator will help you if needed.
Best regards
Kpax7
You can still split points by Saying that "The information on this question is useful and I want the points to be awarded" and press Object button in bottom of the screen.
The Moderator will help you if needed.
Best regards
Kpax7
ASKER
The information on this question is useful and I want the points to be awarded
ASKER
While no solution was found for the problem other than realising that a drive format was the only answer, much of the information provided by the experts is very helpful for resolving similar problems.
Thanks Jonathan.
Wish you good luck.
Wish you good luck.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_firefox/