Updates needed on article: Fix "The bookmarks and history system will not be functional" error message

Came across the article, but found a solution that allowed me to keep everything without losing my places file.
Removing places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal while firefox was not running allowed FF to start without a problem.

Agreed, and fuser showed that the files weren't in use.
Using sqlite from the command line to access places.sqlite when the files were there seemed to work till I did ".schema" and then I got an error that indicated corruption.
Removing the files and then retrying ".schema" worked flawlessly.
Telling users about this possible solution would help them recover their history, etc. that they may have spent a lot of time creating.

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    For a few weeks now, I've been getting the "Bookmarks and history system will not be functional..." message. When I clicked for more information, FireFox would freeze.
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    A possible cause is a problem with the file places.sqlite that stores the bookmarks and the history.
    *http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
    *https://support.mozilla.com/kb/The+bookmarks+and+history+system+will+not+be+functional

  • How do I fix this error? The bookmarks and history system will not be functional because one of Firefox's files is in use by another application.

    I have tried numerous solutions being posted in this support forum. I went in and deleted my places.sqlite file so that it created a whole new profile. I then tried to restore my bookmarks, and nothing happened.
    I went in and discovered I had a places.sqlite.corrupt file. As suggested by one of the links provided in other articles, I deleted the other places.sqlite files, and then renamed the corrupt one as just places.sqlite. I restarted firefox and still nothing.
    Please don't just copy and paste the links to the two articles that have no yet helped me. I need to find out how to fix this because I had a lot of important information in my bookmarks!

    Hi,
    You can try creating a [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Managing-profiles new profile], copy the '''bookmarkbackups''' folder from the old profile to the new and '''Restore''' a dated backup via Firefox '''Bookmarks''' ('''Alt''' + '''B''') > '''Import and Backup''' on the new profile.
    To open the profile folder within Firefox: '''Help''' ('''Alt''' + '''H''') > '''Troubleshooting Information''' > '''Show Folder'''.
    [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder Firefox Profile Folder]
    [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder & Files]
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    I have tried to add the Places Maintenance extension but the speed is too sluggish to download anything. Trying to access any of the menus results in the browser freezing for several minutes then unfreezing but with the menu still unopened. Therefore none of the solutions found here (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fix-bookmarks-and-history-will-not-be-functional?esab=a&as=aaq) seem to work.
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    Next, keep this folder open, exit Firefox, and try moving the "corrupted and unreadable" files to a different folder. With the exception of localstore.rdf, which stores window positions, toolbar customizations, and other nonessential data, the other files appear to be session-specific files that hopefully are not critical. If you restart Firefox, does it behave more normally?
    If not, try creating a fresh Firefox profile. It will have the Flash plugin, which is the control sites usually use to connects your camera and/or microphone, and other plugins, but otherwise will be a new setup. This article has the steps for starting up in the Profile Manager: [[Use the Profile Manager to create and remove Firefox profiles]].
    If sites work normally in the new profile, you can import your bookmarks from your old profile, as well as copying over other files that don't seem to be causing the problem. Some trial and error might be required to determine that. This article has some tips: [[Recovering important data from an old profile]].
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  • Followed the instructions in "the bookmarks and history..." article but cannot retrieve my bookmarks. Initial problem was caused by an AVG Free upgrade which was done this morning. How do I get my "stuff" back?

    Upgraded AVG Free this morning. Next Firefox opening got the message "bookmarks and history system will not be functional" etc.
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    No, AVG did not remove places.sqlite from the profile. In following the instructions given by Firefox I renamed that file by adding .old. The instructions then told me to re-open Firefox, and that when it reopened "it would create a new places database. Your browsing history will be lost but Firefox will automatically import your bookmarks from the most recent backup file." This DID NOT happen. I have not yet tried the steps in the "Lost Bookmarks" article.
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