Where oh where has my JavaScript gone ?

November 15, 2005 8:46 PM

I want to go back to FireFox 1.0.4 because JavaScript has failed me in 1.0.7. How do I do so. . .or is there hope for my 1.0.7 ?

I've searched Google, the archives here, and the Mozilla Forums, but no one can tell me why, after downloading Firefox 1.0.7, that Javascript quit and my GoogleMaps dont map. It happened instantly, after download.


They say to check the box in Options/WebFeatures, but I've checked and unchecked that a few times. I've checked and unchecked the 'Load images-from the originating web site only' setting, but to no avail.

I've asked friends and run three different anti-virus programs (just in case) in addition to my Norton AV, but alas, I'm still JavaScript free in my Fox and XP.

When typing in www.maps.google.com the page flashes then goes to this - "http://maps.google.com/?output=html"

So how do I go backto FireFox 1.0.4 ?

posted by mikeinclifton to computers & internet (9 comments total)

It sounds like you have tried the basics. Unless an about:config wizard comes along, I can only suggest:
delete your profile?
uninstall/reinstall?
posted by misterbrandt at 9:24 PM on November 15, 2005

I'm not certain, but maybe if you upgraded to 1.5 the problem might be fixed. Although, I'm just pulling that answer out of my butthole.... figuratively.
posted by cloeburner at 9:59 PM on November 15, 2005

Since Firefox is a free program and as are all of its extensions, just uninstall java and Firefox. Re-install Firefox and its extentions, then install Java. Make sure you get the latest build from www.getfirefox.com
posted by vkxmai at 10:18 PM on November 15, 2005

I'm too lazy to see if previous versions are easily available anywhere, but I have "Firefox Setup 1.0.4.exe" sitting in my Downloads folder - I'll email it to the address in your profile, from my hotmail acount - watch your Junk E-mail folder.
posted by attercoppe at 10:33 PM on November 15, 2005

I agree with fellow butthole puller cloeburner. Download the current stable version of the zippy 1.5 tree or the equally zippy but potentially more buggy 2.0 (Deer Park) alpha. I use one at work and the other at home and haven't had problems with either. I'm not sure if I ever even tried 1.07 though so ymmv. There's something different with the (image rendering?) code in the more developed trees that gives ff a nigh-Operatic speed that I think makes it worth a shot despite the pitfalls of beta/alpha software.

Don't uninstall Java as per vkxmai's suggestion, because JavaScript doesn't run in the JVM and Java has nothing to do with it except in name.
posted by moift at 11:14 PM on November 15, 2005

I would try creating a new profile first. Firefox/Mozilla depends on the profile for some pretty deep configuration things, so start there. If a new profile works fine, then you know that the old profile is just borked and you should import your bookmarks to the new one.

I would definitely try this before experimenting with a beta, or downgrading -- because easily 80% of problems with Firefox are due to corrupted profiles. It happens.

This does tend to happen more often when you skip an upgrade (e.g. 1.0.4 -> 1.0.5 is less risky than 1.0.4 -> 1.0.7).

If you do wish to downgrade, all prior Firefox releases are available for ftp. You can go back to 1.0.4 and work your way forward.
posted by dhartung at 11:54 PM on November 15, 2005

Update for folks who find this post.

I've created a new profile and I can now view my maps.google.com, but JavaScript still does not work in this new profile.

So I uninstalled FireFox and downloaded a fresh copy of 1.0.4 from dhartung's Mozilla link.

However, when typing in maps.google.com in my fresh 1.0.4, I get the same old problem with google maps and JavaScript still does not work.

Back to square one.

Crap.
posted by mikeinclifton at 11:03 AM on November 18, 2005

In tooling around, I noticed a "noscript.js" in my file -
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\pref

It is dated about a month ago when I first started having JavaScript problems. So I'm wondering if I downloaded it without realizing it.

In doing more reading about noscript.js, I see where it deletes js ability from select websites (duh). In my case, something has deleted it from all websites that use js, so noscript.js is now a culprit in my mind.

But when I got to Tool / Extensions in Firefox, "noscript.js" is not listed as an Extension, though its clear it is an Extension per Mozilla.
posted by mikeinclifton at 11:27 AM on November 18, 2005

Success !

"noscript.js" was my culprit. Instead of taking the paranoid route and deleting it, I went to Mozilla and reinstalled it.

I clicked around the (legal) NoScript popup window for a bit and simply allowed javascript globally and my problems websites all respond now ! (including live preview on this site! )

"noscript.js" still does not show up in my list of extensions though and I find that odd. But my google maps and other things now work.
posted by mikeinclifton at 11:51 AM on November 18, 2005