Configured javascript now mozilla will not open

Question

I have the latest version of Mozilla and I am using Windows 8. I was trying to stop HTML, which renders most websites I visit virtually unusable because so many videos are trying to run at the same time, but still allow Java to use some of the things that must have Java to work.
I know if you go into about:config and toggle java enabled it stops HTML but it also stops all Java. There are many suggestions here and elsewhere on the Internet on how to config Mozilla and which add-ons to get to stop HTML while allowing JAVA, but none of them worked for me. I won't list everything I tried, but I tried several different things.
My problem is this: To try and stop HTML I went into about:config and left java:enabled set to default. I then went down the line changing the java settings from default to user set or if it was a numerical value I set it to zero. I do not remember which java setting it was but about halfway through the java settings I set one to zero and Mozilla locked up. It took Windows Task Manager to close it.
When I tried to open it again it would not open although Task Manager showed it was on. A pop up box would open saying a problem occurred in opening Mozilla and to click the box to reset all Mozilla settings to default, or start in Safe Mode and open. Several attempts to do this were unsuccessful and Mozilla would not open although Task Manager showed Mozilla on and Task Manager was required to close Mozilla.
I uninstalled Mozilla, downloaded a new file, and attempted to open it with the same results as described above. I uninstalled and downloaded a new Mozilla three times with the same result. Sometimes the pop-up box described above would appear and sometimes it would not, but it made no difference.
Are the new downloads of Mozilla sensing the previous java setting to zero and not allowing Mozilla to open? If that were the case why won't resetting to default work? Any help is appreciated.
Lastly, not to complain after asking for help, but I downloaded Google Chrome until I can get Mozilla back. It only takes 3 steps to stop HTML there while still allowing other Java. Click Privacy settings, Java on, and then block all plug-ins. Is there something similar in Mozilla I'm missing?
Thank you

Answer 1

Thank you both.
I am not highly computer literate but I think I want to block HTML 5, if that is what runs many videos, while allowing javascript to still be enabled to run other things. Merely turning off the Flash plug in stops all Flash driven videos from working.
I got the javascript v java correct in my question tag but not so in the body of the question. Where it says java I should have used javascript.