shared history file "places.sqlite" over-written on install

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi there,

When I install TenFourFox it zaps the history file, which is also shared by 
Firefox. I made sure I had the latest version for my system (7.0), and 
re-tested it by copying a back-up version of the "places.sqlite" file back into 
the location:

User>Me>Library>Application Support>Firefox>Profiles>8n4tmbav.default

and then launching TenFourFox, which then showed no history. I then re-opened 
Firefox, and no history either. 

It would be nice to be able to keep the history from Firefox intact (two years 
of browsing in my case), and particularly at least KNOW that it will zap the 
file to zero. If we don't know it will happen, we risk eventually over-writing 
our back-up version of places.sqlite, and losing ALL our browsing history. This 
might be very crucial to some people. 

I'm using:
iMac G5 1,8Ghz, 10.4.11

Original issue reported on code.google.com by pardoug...@gmail.com on 5 Oct 2011 at 9:11

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I can freely switch back and forth between 3.6 and 7 without losing my history. 
I'd start by looking at your privacy settings in both 3.6 and 7 (remember that 
4 and up use different mechanics).

Original comment by classi...@floodgap.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 12:43

• Changed state: Unconfirmed

[GoogleCodeExporter]

My privacy settings for both 3.6 and 7 are set to "remember history". I can 
also freely switch back and forth... BUT ONLY once TenFourFox has eaten the old 
and created the new "places.sqlite" file. 7 doesn't like history files 
originating from 3.6?

I have again verified by going back and installing my one week old back-up copy 
of places.sqlite (created by Firefox), that it again gets over-written when I 
launch TenFourFox. (Note that I said "launch", as I had said before that it was 
upon install, but now I realize it happens when 7 is launched)

My back-up file has a "created on" date of 5/18/09, and when I launch 7 it 
instantly creates a replacement file with a creation date of "today". Kinda 
buggy. Let me know if I can provide any more information to help pinpoint the 
problem.

Original comment by pardoug...@gmail.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 7:19

[GoogleCodeExporter]

My privacy settings for both 3.6 and 7 are set to "remember history". I can 
also freely switch back and forth... BUT ONLY once TenFourFox has eaten the old 
and created the new "places.sqlite" file. 7 doesn't like history files 
originating from 3.6?

I have again verified by going back and installing my one week old back-up copy 
of places.sqlite (created by Firefox), that it again gets over-written when I 
launch TenFourFox. (Note that I said "launch", as I had said before that it was 
upon install, but now I realize it happens when 7 is launched)

My back-up file has a "created on" date of 5/18/09, and when I launch 7 it 
instantly creates a replacement file with a creation date of "today". Kinda 
buggy. Let me know if I can provide any more information to help pinpoint the 
problem.

Original comment by pardoug...@gmail.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 7:32

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I'm going to close this as WorksForMe based on your response because I really 
can't confirm this bug personally. If you updated directly from 3.6 to 7, you 
might consider stepping through each of the point releases to see if the 
problem persists.

Also, if it turns out there actually is indeed a bug here, it is probably 
generic to Firefox rather than TenFourFox and you might also inquire of Mozilla 
to see if people are experiencing it in the main product. Either way, I can't 
find something specific for us to repair. You are welcome to post other ways 
the bug manifests itself if you find any.

Original comment by classi...@floodgap.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 7:35

• Changed state: WorksForMe

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Actually, I always have the latest Firefox (version 3 anyway) because updates 
are installed automatically. I presently am on 3.6.23. As for TenFourFox, this 
initially happened to me with version 6-something, which I installed a few 
weeks ago, and I updated to 7 and the problem persists. Could it really be 
Mozilla? --because it has obviously not happened within Firefox updates, 
otherwise I wouldn't have a history file that dates from 5/18/2009.

Something specific to repair would be that TenFourFox looks to keep the 
existing places.sqlite file every time, and not replace it! I am a bit 
disappointed at your quick dismissal of the issue. I think you could really 
only say it works for you if you repeat my method, which is to freshly install 
7 on a machine that has only Firefox, then launch 7 and see if it retains 
Firefox's places-sqlite. Like I said I agree that it "works" afterwards, once 
TenFour has eaten Firefox's file, but I insist that unless I am experiencing 
something really unique here, anyone who tries to make the switch or use both 
browsers is going to lose their browsing history. Not a small issue for many 
people, especially as it may not be noticed immediately.

A final note: what is the "places.sqlite.corrupt" file? Mine has a date that 
may correspond to the day I first installed TenFourFox 6, and the size 
approximates by old history file (25mb). Is TenFourFox maybe corrupting the 
file, and that's why it makes a fresh one?

Original comment by pardoug...@gmail.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 8:01

[GoogleCodeExporter]

By the way, why is this issue no longer in the list of issues? Maybe someone 
else could benefit from this information, or bring further insight... or give a 
fix.

Original comment by pardoug...@gmail.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 8:06

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Ok, I can confirm that TenFourFox is corrupting the file, because I can watch 
it happening in the finder when I launch. It wants nothing to do with a 
places.sqlite file that originated from Firefox, and immediately adds the 
".corrupt" suffix and creates a new file. Why would Firefox be fine with the 
file, but 10.4F thinks it's corrupt? (or corrupts it) 

It DOES allow history data subsequently accumulated while using Firefox to be 
maintained, on the condition that the "places.sqlite" was originally created by 
TenFourFox.

By the way, no problem with bookmarks whatsoever, although that is part of the 
deception regarding this bug: when I opened 10.4F for the first time, 
everything looked normal because I could see all my bookmarks were maintained...

Anyhow, I hope this can go somewhere... Nice project by the way. I never 
understood why our old Macs, which can still do heavy work such as video 
editing with reasonable speed have to become obsolete just because of internet.

Original comment by pardoug...@gmail.com on 6 Oct 2011 at 8:49