pref.js file corrupted with invalid character

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radu1
Posts: 12
Joined: April 21st, 2005, 5:25 pm
Location: Australia

pref.js file corrupted with invalid character

Post by radu1 »

Last evening OZ time had message new Microsoft update.

Which I loaded

Then I sent an e-mail which stopped mid way and I caught the something.exe quickly run on screen. I had to recompose that e-mail as it disappeared. I then sent the email. This morning when I opened Thunderbird it was completely empty and wanted to install new account set up. Found support message on Mozilla remedying disappearing mail, Part 3.

Default Profile was empty and wanted to install new account set up and other profile was basic original new account set up.

So went to pref.js

Tried to open C:\profiles1\9y512asz.default\prefs.js

Windows Antispyware Notice appears
Pressed allow

Got message.


Windows Script Host

Script: C:\profiles1\9y512asz.default\prefs.js
Line : 1
Char: 1
Error: invalid character
Code 800A03f6
Source: Microsoft JScript compilation error



Eventually opened with notepad file prefs.js and copied it.

This is it….

# Mozilla User Preferences

/* Do not edit this file.
*
* If you make changes to this file while the browser is running,
* the changes will be overwritten when the browser exits.
*
* To make a manual change to preferences, you can visit the URL about:config
* For more information, see http://www.mozilla.org/unix/customizing.html#prefs
*/

user_pref("app.update.lastUpdateDate", 1128055095);
user_pref("browser.anchor_color", "#000099");
user_pref("browser.display.background_color", "#CCCCCC");
user_pref("browser.display.foreground_color", "#3333FF");
user_pref("browser.display.screen_resolution", 96);
user_pref("browser.display.use_document_fonts", 0);
user_pref("browser.download.defaultFolder", "C:\\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\\RICHARD\\DESKTOP");
user_pref("browser.download.lastDir", "C:\\Documents and Settings\\Richard\\My Documents\\My Pictures");
user_pref("browser.download.manager.alertOnEXEOpen", true);
user_pref("browser.download.save_converter_index", 0);
user_pref("browser.history_expire_days", 2);
user_pref("browser.link.open_external", 2);
user_pref("browser.preferences.lastpanel", 2);
user_pref("browser.search.selectedEngine", "Google");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://www.i-boards.com/bnp/pob/");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone", "rv:1.7.12");
user_pref("browser.visited_color", "#CC0000");
user_pref("extensions.disabledObsolete", true);
user_pref("extensions.lastAppVersion", "1.0");
user_pref("extensions.update.lastUpdateDate", 1128047895);
user_pref("font.default", "sans-serif");
user_pref("font.name.serif.x-western", "Arial");
user_pref("font.size.fixed.x-western", 12);
user_pref("font.size.variable.x-western", 12);
user_pref("intl.accept_languages", "en, en-us");
user_pref("intl.charsetmenu.browser.cache", "windows-1252, UTF-16LE, ISO-8859-1, UTF-8, windows-1251");
user_pref("network.cookie.cookieBehavior", 1);
user_pref("network.cookie.prefsMigrated", true);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_bgcolor", false);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_bgimages", false);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_evenpages", true);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_footercenter", "");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_footerleft", "&PT");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_footerright", "&D");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_headercenter", "");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_headerleft", "&T");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_headerright", "&U");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_in_color", true);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_margin_bottom", "0.5");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_margin_left", "0.5");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_margin_right", "0.5");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_margin_top", "0.5");
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_oddpages", true);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_orientation", 1);
user_pref("print.printer_PDF995.print_reversed", false);
user_pref("security.OCSP.URL", "");
user_pref("security.OCSP.signingCA", "Builtin Object Token:IPS CLASE1 root");
user_pref("security.warn_entering_secure", false);
user_pref("security.warn_leaving_secure", false);
user_pref("security.warn_submit_insecure", false);
user_pref("spellchecker.dictionary", "en-AU");
user_pref("xpinstall.whitelist.add", "");
user_pref("xpinstall.whitelist.add.103", "");



Question 1 what is invalid character?

Question 2 how do I get back my e-mails and address book?

Thankyou in anticipation.
GordMcFee
Posts: 13001
Joined: May 3rd, 2003, 4:18 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Post by GordMcFee »

Gord McFee
radu1
Posts: 12
Joined: April 21st, 2005, 5:25 pm
Location: Australia

Post by radu1 »

Gord,Thanks, I had read that link , as stated above .

I would like to know what is corrupted in above file and if I can simply edit that character in accordance with the error message?
GordMcFee
Posts: 13001
Joined: May 3rd, 2003, 4:18 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Post by GordMcFee »

I don't see anything that looks obviously wrong there.
Gord McFee
GordMcFee
Posts: 13001
Joined: May 3rd, 2003, 4:18 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Post by GordMcFee »

Could be.
Gord McFee
User avatar
Rod Whiteley
Posts: 11480
Joined: December 6th, 2004, 3:41 am
Location: UK

Post by Rod Whiteley »

The error says Line 1 Char 1, which is the # character. It is normal for prefs.js to start with a # character. Do not use Microscript JSoft to open Thunderbird's internal files.
Rod
GordMcFee
Posts: 13001
Joined: May 3rd, 2003, 4:18 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Post by GordMcFee »

So, in fact, there is no error. Is that it, Rod?
Gord McFee
Guest
Guest

Post by Guest »

I reloaded the system as advised in part Mozilla remedying disappearing mail, Part 3.
...................and am up and running.

I then up and running seeing this message of Rod's decided to remove the # character .

Yes it allowed that profile to open!

What was the cause ..... of the # being added in the pref.js file.

Remember that the warning came before I had been able to open it.

I recollect seeing a Microsoft update flashing which on activating acted extremely quickly, flashing an .exe file on screen as an email was being transmitted. The email disappeared with out trace and needed to be recompiled and sent.

So was the Microsoft update a virus/scam? If it was a genuine Microsoft update then others should should heed not be done when Thunderbird operating .

Any rate for any one else with a disappearing mail check first for a # in prefs.js file


Thanks for input guys.

RADU
radu1
Posts: 12
Joined: April 21st, 2005, 5:25 pm
Location: Australia

Post by radu1 »

OOPs I did not realise I had not logged on.

Thanks again guys

RADU
User avatar
Daifne
Moderator
Posts: 123071
Joined: July 31st, 2005, 9:17 pm
Location: Where the Waters Meet, Wisconsin

Post by Daifne »

It could very well have been the MS update. I don't allow them to run automatically. When I'm ready, I close everything and then run the updates. I do let them download automatically, just not run.
GordMcFee
Posts: 13001
Joined: May 3rd, 2003, 4:18 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Post by GordMcFee »

Anonymous wrote:I reloaded the system as advised in part Mozilla remedying disappearing mail, Part 3.
...................and am up and running.

I then up and running seeing this message of Rod's decided to remove the # character .

Yes it allowed that profile to open!

What was the cause ..... of the # being added in the pref.js file.

Remember that the warning came before I had been able to open it.

I recollect seeing a Microsoft update flashing which on activating acted extremely quickly, flashing an .exe file on screen as an email was being transmitted. The email disappeared with out trace and needed to be recompiled and sent.

So was the Microsoft update a virus/scam? If it was a genuine Microsoft update then others should should heed not be done when Thunderbird operating .

Any rate for any one else with a disappearing mail check first for a # in prefs.js file


Thanks for input guys.

RADU


The # sign is used in some programs to indicate a comment line.
Gord McFee
radu1
Posts: 12
Joined: April 21st, 2005, 5:25 pm
Location: Australia

Post by radu1 »

Gordon,

Is it possible for that .EXE file I saw to have executed and planted the simple # in the prefs.js file so that emails disappeared? As deleting # from the prefs.js file and reinserting gave me all my emails and address book back!


By the way have used new built profile and backed that up and flicked original in case corrupted else where.
GordMcFee
Posts: 13001
Joined: May 3rd, 2003, 4:18 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Post by GordMcFee »

It is possible. It's always hard to tell after the fact.
Gord McFee
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