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"Firefox is already running" problem when clicking a file, not solved with suggested workarounds

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December 20, 2006 - 2:18pm
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nonhocapito
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"Firefox is already running" problem when clicking a file, not solved with suggested workarounds

I use FirefoxPortable on my pc (other than my usb drive)

On the PC Firefox is set as the default browser but nonetheless whenever I click on a file or call an URL in any other external way (another program) I get the "Firefox already running" message.

To be precise I get this message: "Firefox is already running, but not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system"

Now, this message is given when 1) firefox isn't running at all (verified to the processes), or 2) it is running and also responding very well!!

now, 1) I haven't renamed FirefoxPortable,
2) I have set to allow multiple instances in the ini.file
3) the ini file is in the same directory as FirefoxPortable and works (as correctly doesn't display the splash screen, for example)
4) Firefox is correctly set as default browser in the registry

I haven't found any other suggestion in the forum as a workaround to this problem, so here I am.
Please help! Thanks!

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December 20, 2006 - 2:20pm
John T. Haller
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Try it without multiple instances

Try it without multiple instances. If it works, then FF2 may have issues with it. It's never been recommended or supported.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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December 20, 2006 - 4:32pm
(Reply to #2)
nonhocapito
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already tried, no

already tried, no difference. It is like if giving that message is the normal behavior of FirefoxPortable.
Although I guess it isn't.

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December 20, 2006 - 4:40pm
(Reply to #3)
John T. Haller
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Try a base install

Ok, try a base install... download a copy of FFP fresh and install it somewhere else. Bring up task manager and ensure there's no copy of Firefox, Flock, TorPark, etc running. Then run the new FFP copy.

And wait a minute... what do you mean Firefox is set as the default browser? Firefox Portable can't be automatically set as the default browser. It requires altering the registry and it is not recommended or supported.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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December 20, 2006 - 5:17pm
nonhocapito
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I answer from here to avoid

I answer from here to avoid a too narrow cascade:

Suddenly I am stricken by one thought. I just updated to 2.0.0.1. Could it be that the cause? I can't be 100% sure I've seen this behavior before the update.
Also, Firefox is set as default browser (from within firefox itself) and not FirefoxPortable: thus, is this problem caused by Firefox itself and not by FirefoxPortable? It seems so. Could it be?
If that's the case, I'm on the wrong forum!! (apologies) Smile
It seemed natural to blame it on FirefoxPortable but the more I think about it the more I am convinced it is some Firefox issue... of which there is no trace on its forum, though.
Going for the big reinstall, and we'll see.

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December 20, 2006 - 5:42pm
nonhocapito
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OK, it is all quite

OK, it is all quite absurd.

-1: installed firefox 2.0.0.1 in another location, copied profile, set it as default browser, it didn't give the problem.

-2: fresh installed FF portable 2 in another location, copied profile, set it as default browser from within FF, it didn't give the problem.

-3: Went back to my original portable installation, set it back as default browser... it didn't give the problem!!!

-4: uninstalled the just installed firefox 2.0.0.1 and removed the other FF portable, went back to the original one and it still didn't give the problem!!!

So why was it giving the problem in the first place? Who knows...

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December 20, 2006 - 11:07pm
(Reply to #6)
John T. Haller
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Don't set it as default

Don't set the Firefox inside Firefox Portable as the default. That sets the copy of Firefox inside it as the defaul but NOT Firefox Portable. It'll use a local profile if you double-click an HTML file when FF is not running.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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December 21, 2006 - 8:05am
(Reply to #7)
nonhocapito
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well no if you change profiles.ini

well no if you change profiles.ini to point to the FFPortable /data/profile folder.
Surely at that point one could ask: why using FFPortable on your local machine at all then?
Well, because it provides a neat setup where program and profile are in the same folder and makes it easier to synch with the USB drive. Nothing one couldn't do in other ways, messing a little with folders and the profiles.ini file.

No doubt it would be great if FFPortable -when asked- would go to the profiles.ini file and check whether if it points to the right directory. Many problem would be solved for those who wants to use FFPortable on their local machines.

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