Firefox won't open to do Reset-so uninstalled-no option to save profile!

Was getting error code of "can't load XPCOM ".
I thought it might be related to Norton since it had had problems twice in two weeks. Their tech support tried to help, but thinks it is a Firefox problem that was blocking Norton from being able to run. They were able to get Norton running, but not Firefox.
Since I couldn't open Firefox, I read that I should uninstall it. Did that. There was NO OPTION to "Save my Profile".
LEADING UP TO THIS - BACKGROUND PROBLEMS:
1. Was having "enterprise 1.1 seeming to throw annoying ad coupons on to my webpages. Saw this was a Firefox extension, so deleted it there, and in my Programs.
2. Was having an unwanted computer scanner program, which was bundled in with a software I ordered, kept trying to run scans. I didn't want that software in with the one I requested, but even though I checked off that I didn't want it, it installed anyway! I uninstalled that.
3. Then had an error request asking for a newer version of Java - I hadn't updated because I had been told that Java conflicts with Firefox).
A. Deleted old Java files from Programs.
B. Tried to download an install new Java. It wouldn't install correctly - error code 1601.
4. In the middle of all this Thursday (two days ago) MS Windows decided to do a 21 "windows update" thing - 21!!!! Took almost an hour.
TROUBLESHOOTING ----
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TODAY: Norton tech support was able to run remote of Norton Power Eraser - and determined I DO NOT have a virus, or anything like that. (Good news!) Norton now is up and protecting computer again. He also kept running into MS popup messages saying that the " MS Installer is not working. "
STILL NOT WORKING: Firefox wasn't able to work - so deleted per Mozilla instructions.
QUESTIONS:
1. Any way to retrieve my FIrefox Profile - - like do a system restore to like a month ago or something?
2. What is this XP COM - and can I get it back if I need it? (is it needed?)
3. Is XP COM related to the MS Installer somehow?
I'm going to see if I can install FireFox now. But is there a way to get my Profile back ???? Will reinstalling Firefox fix this XPCOM thing - or is that something on my computer?
Thanks.

You will likely have to delete the Firefox program folder to recover from this XPCOM issue.
You can uninstall your current Firefox version to avoid issues with the registry.
Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.
*Download the full Firefox installer and save the file to the desktop<br>https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
If possible uninstall your current Firefox version to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.
*Do NOT remove "personal data" when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because this will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.
Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.
*(32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
*(64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
*It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Firefox
Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure NOT to remove personal data when you uninstall Firefox as that will remove all Firefox profile folders and you lose your personal data.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall

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