Firefox 20, downloads

[BOAC]

Until this am, FF always saved downloads in the selected folder /user/xxx/downloads. This folder still has all my previous downloads in, but if I download today I get an empty 'download' folder. I have reset the location several times, but if I now select 'Downloads' it takes me to a tree headed 'Library' and an empty folder (second down below 'History') titled Downloads. I cannot see anything relevant in the Mozilla profile. Where in about:config is the download location stored or where else do I look?

If I run as admin, FF still correctly shows downloaded items.

[mixture]

Preferences > General > Downloads perhaps ?

[BOAC]

Don't have 'Preferences' and as per post 1 I have reset several times using Tools/Options/General/Downloads.

[mixture]

Trash your fox profile and create a new one ?

[BOAC]

Yes - I had to do that in XP, so I'll give it a go.

Edit: No change - still will not accept the chosen location and reverts to the empty 'downloads' folder as per post #1.

[green granite]

Hmmmm I tend to use palemoon nowadays but it's the same thing (firefox) but optimised for windows, no problems with V20 of that. So I opened FireFox and updated it to V20 and there's no problem either it still downloads to the normal download folder. I've copied the relevent bit from about:config for you to compare with my FireFox V20:

[mixture]

BOAC,

If you're able to reproduce it on a fresh profile, then it sounds like a bug and you ought to file a bug report with them.

[BOAC]

gg - thanks for the pointers. Very strange! In about:config the user set directory is absolutely correct BUT when I 'open the download folder' is opens user/AppData/Local/Temp where today's downloads indeed are, and not user/downloads where it should.

I had an update to Win7 yesterday and am wondering if this is a Windows thing rather than a Firefox? I have checked the reg entries and they all seem ok.

[green granite]

I had that W7 update as well BOAC but mine is ok. I'll have a dig around and see what I can find.

[BOAC]

Ta - cannot see anything on Google about downloads opening in appdata. I would normally suspect a corrupt user profile except the reg settings are ok.

I have set FF to 'ask' about download location for the time being.I still see the correct folder if I run as admin.

[green granite]

have a look at:

Firefox 20+: re-enable old download manager ? mozillaZine Forums

[BOAC]

Thanks - worked through that with no real change, BUT I now download into the right folder. Only problem is that while all the files going back to xxxx are actually there in that folder, when I open the folder (via FF), although it is now opening the correct download folder, I only see the downloads of today onwards. Opening it via Explorer shows all downloads including today's.

So - two forward and one back? The mystery deepens.

[le Pingouin]

FF isn't reading the directory contents but referring to a list of downloaded files. Entries can be deleted from the list without actually deleting the file and your list has been reset.

[BOAC]

Le P - what would cause the entries to be removed? I have not done that. Also does not explain FF opening the temp folder at one point although that seems to have cleared.

EDIT@ I think I have the answer to the first part - my 'History' now covers only today and yesterday whereas before it went back weeks. Again - no selection from me. I had run CCleaner but 'history' was deselected.

[Ancient Observer]

I'm glad that I do not understand some of the threads in the pootery section. It means that I have less reasons to be worried. It's such a relief.

[Keef]

My old schoolteachers (1949-55) had the right attitude and imparted it to me...

You WILL obey!

I got very cross with Microsoft creating "default" locations for my stuff, buried deep where I couldn't find them. I set up my own locations: Drive I for Internet, folder "Downloads". I managed to persuade Windows that no other place exists where downloads may go. It works well.

E-mail likewise goes in I:/Mail rather than umpty levels down on C: