A cleaning utility deleted my browsing history! My fault! I want to re-open the old pages and tabs. The info may be in an old "sessionstore.js" or "places.sqlite" file but these are huge and some URLS are written backwards. Where do I start please?

Question

I have copied "places.sqlite" and given it a .txt extension, then opened in Wordpad - but it's huge - I don't know what order it's in and many of the URLS are written backwards - like "moc.smooretal.www" instead of "www.laterooms.com."
Similarly there are several numbered versions of sessionstore.js in the profile and these can be opened with a text editor too. But if I simply substitute the current sessionstore.js file with an older (numbered) one in the profile, Firefox seems to ignore it.
So:
1. Is there a method of re-installing the "history" sites list or "previously opened pages and tabs" from the 'places.sqlite' file, or from a previous sessionstore.js file (and if so how do I go about it ?)
2. If not, is there an alternative source of browsing history back-up which I can use or
3. If not that either, is there at least a way of reversing the backwards text so I can read the URLs and copy/paste them?
All knowledgeable help much appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Peter

Answer 1

Firefox has other backups it makes automatically, unfortunately your cleaning utility may have wiped them.
#First step backup manually whatever you have
#*''' edit''' <s>[[backing up and restoring backups]]</s><br/> [[backing up and restoring bookmarks]]
#Second step find and copy all of your profile folder and all the sub files and sub folders
## easiest method of finding it is <br> Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile [Open containing folder] <br/>The places.sqlite is a database that contains all your bookmarks and history, if this exists and is not corrupt then your bookmarks library should work and allow you to create backups.
##*see [[backing up your information]]
## put it somewhere safe your Windows desktop will do
.JSON files are the backup files, either created manually or by firefox
sessionstore.js files probably are of little use to you, containing only the tabs & windows from recent close downs, not the full history and bookarks.
Now that any existing files are safe try to see if any backups exist that firefox created automatically
* these would be in a folder within the profile
* they can most easily be used by opening the bookmarks library, as explained in the article linked above.
You may be interested in
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox {Locked or damaged places.sqlite]
There are sqlite editors available, including some as add-ons for firefox.