I have my settings correct, but my app tabs, or previous session tabs STILL disappear whenever I close Firefox. Help?

Question

1. I have a basic MacBook.
2. I'm running Mac OS X Version 10.6.8.
3. Under Firefox, I have my preference settings set on "When Firefox starts 'show my windows and tabs from last time'."
4. I have privacy settings set to "Tell websites I do not want to be tracked." and "Firefox will remember history."
Whenever I close Firefox (by clicking on the red dot at the top of the window OR by clicking 'quit Firefox' from the menu) and reopen it, it shows only my home page.
None of my tabs are saved - including the new app tabs (which sounded like something I'd like!) I don't have any trouble pinning the app tabs, but they don't stick. Or pin, that is. :) Nor can I get a restored browsing session.
This is something I can live with, but it's frustrating. Any suggestions?
Wendy

Answer 1

'''''"I cannot get Tabs from previous session back when I reopen Firefox"'''''
Be sure that you are not using Private Browsing or are in permanent Private Browsing mode. See: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Private%20Browsing (2nd and 3rd menu items on that page)
Be sure you are not clearing history during a session or when closing Firefox. See:
*Clear Recent History: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Clear%20Recent%20History
*Clear History when Firefox closes: un-check "Clear history when Firefox closes" on Options > Privacy panel (the first item under "History" on that panel must be set to "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" to see that item to un-check)
'''''"there is no Firefox Tab at the top of my open Firefox window - only a menu bar"'''''
The Firefox button is supposed to be on by default only in Vista and Windows 7.
In Firefox 4, you have your choice of using the Firefox button (orange or gray) in the upper left corner or the Menu Bar (''File, Edit, View, History, Bookmarks, Tools. Help'').
*The selections on the Firefox button are different from the selections on the Menu Bar.
*You can easily switch back and forth between the Firefox button and the Menu Bar or leave one or the other active.
*The one being used depends on whether Menu Bar is checked
**Menu Bar '''checked''' = Menu Bar '''on''', Firefox button '''off'''
**Menu Bar '''un-checked''' = Menu Bar '''off''', Firefox button '''on'''
When the Firefox button is displayed and '''you want to ''temporarily'' display and use the Menu Bar''', pressing the ALT or F10 key will display the Menu Bar and you can make your selections from the temporarily displayed Menu Bar.
To check (or un-check) Menu Bar, do one of the following:
*using Firefox button: click Firefox button > Options > Menu Bar
*using the Menu Bar: click View > Toolbars > Menu Bar
*HOLD down the ALT key while pressing the keyboard letters VTM