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Firefox on start says couldn't load XPCOM

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  • 120 have this problem
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  • Last reply by ociepka

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I use latest version of Firefox on my Windows XP SP2 and when I try to launch Firefox it only says couldn't load XPCOM and also no one of others browsers( I tried IE, Chrome) doesn't works, simply they do nothing- Please HELP.

I use latest version of Firefox on my Windows XP SP2 and when I try to launch Firefox it only says couldn't load XPCOM and also no one of others browsers( I tried IE, Chrome) doesn't works, simply they do nothing- Please HELP.

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Seems a bit of default solution for "couldn't load XPCOM" - uninstalling FF.

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First, update your computer to Service Pack 3.

Then, scan for viruses. Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

Then, download Firefox from www.getfirefox.com and install it (don't remove Firefox first)

If you are using any registry cleaners or the like immediately uninstall them.

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but I can not update my comp or download anything because no one of Web browsers doesnt works.

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Then something is majorly wrong with your machine. Take it to a local, reputable computer repair shop, tell them you want to use Firefox but none of the browsers on your computer work. They should fix the machine, updated it, remove any viruses and you should be good to go.

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Yeah, but there is inly one problem: That I want to save my many.

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Well we can't really help you here. You can try downloading the tools I gave you a link to on a another computer and put them on a USB drive, but diagnosing a whole computer problem is beyond the scope of this site.

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Thanks anyway. I still think that Firefox caused problem that other browsers won't works.

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Firefox can't cause a problem to keep other browsers from working, so that's not possible.

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Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before reinstalling a fresh copy of Firefox.

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you will also lose your personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


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Chosen Solution

Seems a bit of default solution for "couldn't load XPCOM" - uninstalling FF.

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For me ZoneAlarm Security was the problem.

Open Task Manager. Do a Ctrl + Alt + Del and open Task Manager. Select ZoneAlarm Force Field and click End Task.

If Firefox now works here is how to cure the problem.

Open ZoneAlarm. In the Internet box click on View Details. Turn off Web Security. This will cause a Fix it button to appear. Click on the Fix it button. Web security will be set back to on and Browser Virtualization will be turned off. Turn on Brower Virtualization. Close ZoneAlarm.

Firefox should now work.