Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

by **arjay** » September 7, 2010, 8:04 pm

I'm having a problem on my desktop PC, in being able to use Firefox. When I open a tab and try to go to a website it won't, and if I try and do an update on it through the Help tab options, it comes up with the message:

Update XML file malformed (200)

I've uninstalled the version I was using (the latest) and downloaded and reinstalled a new one (twice). I've been to their website, as advised by that message and also done some Google searches, but can't find anything that specifically tells me what's wrong or what to do about it to resolve it. Can anyone help me on this, please?

by **Prenders88** » September 7, 2010, 8:09 pm

I did dabble with Firepox once.

It was always going tits up, I'm back with the old faithful IE.

by **BobHelm** » September 7, 2010, 8:34 pm

Try this page RJ.
http://support.mozilla.com/sr-LATN/kb/A ... formed+200
It appears that FF is have problems (for some reason) when looking for updates. They give some things to look for.
I know that there was a new security update just released (I have not updated yet) so maybe it is related to that, as I have not been having issues.

Each to their own Prenders.....

i wouldn't touch IE with a barge pole. About as user friendly as ALL of Bill's "I know better than you what you want' products....

by **jackspratt** » September 7, 2010, 8:45 pm

I gotta agree with Bob.

If IE wasn't inextricably tied in with Windows, one would have to question whether it would have ever been invented, and if so, whether more than 5% of the world's users would tolerate it. :-k

by **arjay** » September 7, 2010, 11:50 pm

I've looked there and it has directed me to my ESET NOD 32 Smart Security, but the route and items it lists don't tie up with what my ESET shows in the Advanced Settings. -
see here:
http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=co ... d=SOLN2371

I navigate to Antivirus - Antispyware, but then there isn't a "Protocol Filtering" under that. There is a Protocol Filtering under "Firewall", but that doesn't then have a "SSL" option, nor can I find the certificates or excluded certificates stuff!

I've disabled my NVIDIA Firewall as I wondered if that was stopping Firefox. Next I'm going to uninstall and re-install Firefox whilst NVIDIA Firewall is off, though the ESET SS Firewall is still in operation. ..... Yes, I know it might not be sensible to run with both on. Though I had done for many months without a problem. Also the NVIDIA Firewall is hardware based.

Phew. :oops:

by **old-timer** » September 7, 2010, 11:55 pm

arjay wrote: Can anyone help me on this, please?

OT, being his ever helpful self would recommend launching the existing desktop PC from the overpass adjacent to the Big C, and buy a new one. Before you leave the shop with your new computer ask the shop assistant to load firefox as you find it a bit complicated.

OT.........project solutions.... $\:D/$

by **arjay** » September 8, 2010, 12:02 am

I've done all the above to no avail, including turned of my ESET SS (AV & Firewall) and tried to use Firefox then, still cannot, and if click on Updates get the same message. :confused:

by **BobHelm** » September 8, 2010, 11:32 am

I am not familiar with ESET nor NVIDIA sorry RJ.
I think that is where your issues lie though, coupled with the fact that it is a new version of FF.
Personally I use AVG & have never had an issue....
Too much security can be as bad as too little - as you are currently experiencing.

You might need to do some program removal to solve the issue I think!!

by **trubrit** » September 8, 2010, 11:38 am

Frequently when trying to log on to Firefox it won't go then I get a message that fire fox is already running and can't log on . It suggests I restart my computer . Any ideas anyone?

by **Aardvark** » September 8, 2010, 11:54 am

Wow I thought it was my Computer that had reached the end of its life. I have had constant problems for over a month since Firefox offered me there latest edition. When I first fire up the Computer and try to go to my Web Server it takes a couple of Minutes to do anything, and then tells me my Server can not be found. I click the OK box and a few seconds later my server comes up. Some times if I go to a sight it comes up twice, and other times tells me Firefox is already running. Also when I go to CCleaner it tells me it can't clear the Firefox catch until I turn it off, but it's not on :confused:

This morning my Security Program warned me it had stopped an unwanted virus download from Firefox. I don't know what's happening but have reported it to Firefox a fortnight ago but as yet have had no feed back.

by **jackspratt** » September 8, 2010, 12:10 pm

A lot of problems with FF can stem from having a corrupted profile. Often deleting the profile (be careful) and rebuilding it will bring you FF joy and happiness.

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/profiles

See "Working with Profiles" toward the bottom of the page.

by **Aardvark** » September 8, 2010, 12:27 pm

Thanks Jack, have printed that off and shall have a go at it

by **PRichard** » September 9, 2010, 1:02 pm

Just sharing what happened to me in the past few weeks. I have had similar problems - unable to start FF, FF already started, FF unable to connect to the internet while my modem and router status showed I had internet connection. It was so frustrating trying to resolve this issue because (to me) the problem suddenly appeared from nowhere. I debugged my modem CCU-680, my router (MBR1000), my external antenna and all other related stuffs without success. I was miserable doing system reboot, switching between IE and FF and resetting modem and router.

Then last week I came across a firewall issue in Windows 7. My Win 7 firewall requires that the FF (firefox.exe) be added to the firewall program list allowing access to the internet. It sounded unreal and stupid but I did it anyway because I was so frustrated with my internet access problem. Hooray - my internet access problems using FF were gone! I am a happy man once again (for now). Cheers.

by **arjay** » September 9, 2010, 2:42 pm

Yes it was Firewall related, though the NVIDIA Firewall not the ESET Firewall. I had had a warning previously that Firefox had been changed and I inadvertently disallowed the change, - that was the cause.

HOWEVER, upon the advice of a friend in Phuket, I downloaded Firefox again, and this time did a Custom Installation and installed it into a new/different folder, - i.e. not into the Programs folder that installations usually go into. That worked. Then Firewall asked me if I wanted to allow, - I said yes, and all is AOK now. I'll just have to watch that I don't install and new versions of Firefox into the Programs Folder in the future, or work out how to tell the Firewall not to block Firefox from Program Files.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and ideas.

by **trubrit** » September 10, 2010, 9:06 am

Since downloading the latest update my bookmarks have all disappeared, The folders are still there but they appear to be empty .They came back, unaided, briefly yesterday but have all gone again today . :roll:

Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Re: Firefox problem - Update XML file malformed

Who is online