can't open two firefox windows

User Help for Mozilla Firefox
Post Reply
ymajoros
Posts: 5
Joined: February 5th, 2008, 4:25 am

can't open two firefox windows

Post by ymajoros »

When already running, I can't click on a link in a mail or on firefox icon to
open a new window. I get the infamous "firefox already running but not
responding" error message.

I'm aware of the "parentlock" file, there is one when firefox starts (which is
right) and it is being deleted on exit.

Reproducible: Always

Steps to Reproduce:
1.Click on firefox icon to open a first browser window
2.Click again to open a second window --> error
Actual Results:
"firefox already running but not responding"

Expected Results:
Should open a new window.

---
I know there are a other problems with parentlock files not being deleted on exit, which isn't the case here. I think, when opening a new browser window, firefox tries to communicate with another running instance, and that won't work here.

I tried all latest versions, even firefox 3 betas

I don't know what to do, I think I'll go back to Internet Explorer, which works better for me, until there is a solution.
User avatar
trolly
Moderator
Posts: 39851
Joined: August 22nd, 2005, 7:25 am

Post by trolly »

Do you have added "-no-remote" to the shortcut? Or is the MOZ_NO_REMOTE environment variable set?
Think for yourself. Otherwise you have to believe what other people tell you.
A society based on individualism is an oxymoron. || Freedom is at first the freedom to starve.
Constitution says: One man, one vote. Supreme court says: One dollar, one vote.
ymajoros
Posts: 5
Joined: February 5th, 2008, 4:25 am

Post by ymajoros »

-no-remote doesn't seem to change anything ; same for MOZ_NO_REMOTE
User avatar
trolly
Moderator
Posts: 39851
Joined: August 22nd, 2005, 7:25 am

Post by trolly »

Both must not be there.
Check "Start -> Settings -> Control panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables" if MOZ_NO_REMOTE is listed in any of the two fields. If yes remove it.
Think for yourself. Otherwise you have to believe what other people tell you.
A society based on individualism is an oxymoron. || Freedom is at first the freedom to starve.
Constitution says: One man, one vote. Supreme court says: One dollar, one vote.
ymajoros
Posts: 5
Joined: February 5th, 2008, 4:25 am

Post by ymajoros »

Not sure I understood. Both what?

It's not listed there, I tried it under a command line, SET MOZ_NO_REMOTE=1 ; I also tried to launch firefox -no-remote from a command line, before and after setting MOZ_NO_REMOTE
User avatar
trolly
Moderator
Posts: 39851
Joined: August 22nd, 2005, 7:25 am

Post by trolly »

Neither the variable have to be set nor the command line switch. If any of them is set firefox does not check for a running instance and tries to start with the default profile. And it will fail with the mentioned error if there is already a firefox instance which uses this profile.

Open a new console and simply type "set" get get all predefined variables.

The other thing to do: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diag ... Firefox%29
Think for yourself. Otherwise you have to believe what other people tell you.
A society based on individualism is an oxymoron. || Freedom is at first the freedom to starve.
Constitution says: One man, one vote. Supreme court says: One dollar, one vote.
ymajoros
Posts: 5
Joined: February 5th, 2008, 4:25 am

Post by ymajoros »

Ok, this was it! Finally solved, been looking for this for months ;-) MOZ_NO_REMOTE was set for current user.
User avatar
trolly
Moderator
Posts: 39851
Joined: August 22nd, 2005, 7:25 am

Post by trolly »

:-)
Think for yourself. Otherwise you have to believe what other people tell you.
A society based on individualism is an oxymoron. || Freedom is at first the freedom to starve.
Constitution says: One man, one vote. Supreme court says: One dollar, one vote.
Post Reply