Trying to restore bookmarks and get error msg windows can't open places.sqlite file. also get same message when trying to open json files for prev sessions.

Question

Ibelieve remote user deleted cache and now I have no bookmarks. I have tried to reset firefox and was unable to do so. I tried to restore bookmarks through the places sqlite file and windows cannot open the file. I went to old firefox file on desktop and tried to open a previous version of bookmarks and windows could not open file. I still have bookmark toolbar and a lot of my categories bookmarks but they are all empty. My plugins are still there Can you tell me where to direct windows to open sqlite of json files?

Answer 1

To experiment more safely, could you create a new Firefox profile? The new profile will have your system-installed plugins (e.g., Flash) and extensions (e.g., security suite toolbars), but no themes, other extensions, or other customizations. It also should have completely fresh settings databases and a fresh cache folder. If we get your bookmarks into the new profile successfully, you can create a backup and restore it in your regular profile.
Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):
firefox.exe -P
Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.
Please do not delete anything in this dialog.
Click the Create Profile button, choose a name like TESTING, and skip the option to choose a folder. Then start Firefox in the new profile you created.
If you have backups in the JSON format (e.g., bookmarks-2014...json) try to restore one to this TESTING profile. This article has the steps (you will need to use Choose File... to get to the backup):
[[Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer]]
Does that work and give you complete results?
If not, the next thing I would try is to drop in the places.sqlite file you have and see whether Firefox can read it properly.
First, open up a Windows Explorer window to this new profile folder. You can do that using either
* "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
* Help menu > Troubleshooting Information
In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button
Got the list of files? Okay, leaving that window open, switch back over to Firefox and Exit the browser, using either:
* "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
* File menu > Exit
Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup -- you will see the timestamps update in the profile folder, then rename '''places.sqlite''' to something like places.old and drop in the places.sqlite file you want to test.
Start Firefox back up again. Bookmarks?