Zotero installed but not working

jatterholt
Hi ... Zotero (v2.0.9) suddenly stopped working inside Firefox (3.6.12) -- no Zotero logo in the status bar, no Zotero items in the Tools menu. Zotero shows up in the add-ons list, and I can access Zotero preferences from there. The OS is Windows XP Pro SP 3. I have tried the following:
(1) disabled all other add-ons except various java add-ons
(2) uninstall and re-install Zotero
(3) created a new Firefox profile
(4) downgraded to FF 3.6.11 and 3.6.10, and created new profiles using these versions
(5) Started FF in safe mode. Interestingly, the first time I did this, FF hung and I killed it via the task manager. Subsequently, I started FF normally, and Zotero was working! Then, I re-upgraded FF (3.6.10 -> 3.6.12) and Zotero went away again after re-starting FF. I re-traced my steps (downgrading, safe-mode, etc) but I couldn't get it to re-appear.

Anyway, I'm stuck now, and any help would be appreciated.
  • dstillman
    http://www.zotero.org/support/kb/no_status_bar_icon
  • jatterholt
    Yes, I've done these steps -- no Zotero items in the Tools menu; but Zotero shows up in the add-ons list; disabled other add-ons -- still no items. Zotero v2.0.9 is installed and enabled, but not executing.
  • dstillman
    You didn't perform all of them—see the corrupt extension files step (though if you really tried a new profile that shouldn't be any different).

    If that doesn't work, there's really nothing we can tell you—if Zotero doesn't show up in the Tools menu in a new profile with no other extensions installed, something is very wrong on your system, and your best bet would probably be Mozilla support. The only other thing I could suggest would be to try disabling any security software on your system.
  • dstillman
    You might also try removing all traces of Firefox from your system—including the Program Files directory and the profile directory, though being sure to back up the Zotero data directory and any other important data in the profile directory—and then reinstalling.
  • adamsmith
    edited November 4, 2010
    I don't see that you did this:
    http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Unable+to+install+add-ons#Corrupt_extension_files

    (edit to avoid confusion: that's what Dan says to posts above mine, too, we overlapped)
  • jatterholt
    Thanks. I had tried removing the corrupt extension files and that didn't work, but the FF removal technique worked. Specifically, I did the following:

    -> removed the Mozilla directory and all its contents from my Application Data folder, backing up the profile directory first
    -> uninstalled FF via the control panel -> remove programs
    -> removed the Mozilla Firefox folder from the Program Files directory
    -> re-installed FF (from a 3.6.11 downloaded installer I had lying around)
    -> started FF and installed Zotero 2.0.9; restarted FF and found Zotero fully functional :)
    -> copied the Zotero folder contents back to the new profile & restored bookmarks, etc. All seems to be well now.

    Again, thanks.

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