Talk:Standard diagnostic

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Multiple ways to do something

When there are many ways to accomplish something (for example, using the UI to clear the cache vs deleting the cache folder in the profile folder) pick the easiest way and don't even mention the other way.--Np 11:34, 17 September 2005 (PDT)

Switch 1 and 2?

Shouldn't 1 and 2 be switched? -- Greg K Nicholson 21:09, 5 Jul 2005 (PDT)

  • No, why should they be? #1 is just to get the user to reboot his system to make sure the system isn't the problem, 2 and 3 are to set up opening in safe mode.--Np 21:15, 6 Jul 2005 (PDT)

Slight correction

I've amended the entry slightly - you can only uninstall extensions from Safe Mode, not disable them. I've also added that it is worth trying first uninstalling the last thing you added/updated.

In response to the point about restarting - you would be surprised the number of user support requests where restarting the computer clears the problem. some people never seem to turn their pc off!!! Ever.

Made clearing the cache the second step, added step to delete localstore.rdf

I made clearing the cache the second step because it is relatively non destructive and can be done without mucking about in the profile folder. If it's somehow possible for the contents of the cache to prevent the program from opening properly, then the step for deleting the cache folder should be put back in.

Added step for deleting localstore.rdf.

The last step should include emptying the temp folder(s) used by the installer prior to reinstalling, but I don't know the different versions of windows well enough to give comprehensive instructions, nor do I know if this applies to other operating systems.


RadioactiveMan 22:20, 5 Aug 2005 (PDT)

August 29 changes

Alice, in your 29 August 2005 change, why are you taking many steps and putting them into one? This article should be very user-oriented, and the steps should relect actual steps the user has to perform. You've made #5 include five seperate steps. Also, why did you remove the wiki formatting for the numbers? Also, why are you marking your changes as minor when they're not? --Np 08:02, 29 August 2005 (PDT)


RE: August 29 changes

NP, I considered reorganization a "minor" edit: I consolidated a number of small steps under a single step 5 covering potential profile corruption . I created "sub-steps" to cover deletion of potential problem files/folders and, if that fails, creation of a new profile. Why? Fewer total steps, less intimidating to users. Step 4 (Safe Mode) also includes sub-steps (select the default theme in "Tools -> Themes" , use "Tools -> Extensions" to uninstall your extensions, etc). On wiki formatting: If you can add the wiki formatting for a numbered list back and have it appear correctly, do it. I couldn't get the correct numbering to appear after step 5. --Alice

I think large steps with big blocks of writing are more intimidating to users then small, short steps with one specific task to accomplish. Furthermore, it makes it harder in the forums because now the user has to say "I couldn't do step 5, the 3rd point" instead of "I couldn't do step 8". I consider (and I may be wrong) a minor edit to be the addition of a few words, fixing a typo, adding a link, etc. The problem you were having with the formatting I believe is because you added extra spacing. I'll fix it. Also, how prevalent is Bug 283680? Is it important enough to be the first thing in the article? --Np 16:29, 30 August 2005 (PDT)

Thanks for fixing the formatting. I guess it's a matter of preference, lots of little steps or bigger blocks with sub-steps. (I added another step, by the way, on restoring the standard Classic or Modern theme in Mozilla Suite). Once you get over 10 steps, I think users will get discouraged so I think it's important to consolidate steps that are interrelated, if possible........ On Bug 283680 ("The program must close to allow a previous installation attempt to complete. Please restart." Firefox startup error), I found a number of posts on the issue (do a forum search on "xpicleanup.dat" or "previous installation attempt"). Would you want it added as another step? It's such an easy fix, deleting the xpicleanup.dat in the install folder, that I thought it belonged towards the beginning of the article but I didn't want to have to re-number everything. If you don't think it belongs in the Standard Diagnostic page, what do you think about placing it here? Browser_will_not_start_up --Alice

Nah, it's better here because that page just links here anyway.--Np 19:42, 30 August 2005 (PDT)
I've changed my mind :D --Np 11:05, 17 September 2005 (PDT)
I see that ... good move ;-) Alice 12:00, 17 September 2005 (PDT)

"clear your OS temporary folder"

We need instructions on how to do this, preferably in a seperate article.--Np 19:45, 30 August 2005 (PDT)

I think this only applies to Windows OS so I would either leave as-is or change as follows:
Uninstall the program, download it again, and reinstall. (Windows OS) Before reinstalling, delete the Temp folder contents, typically "C:\Windows\Temp" in Win98/Me and "C:\Documents and Settings\"username"\Local Settings\Temp" (or use Start > Run > and type in %temp%) inWin2000/WinXP. -- Alice 22:29, 6 September 2005 (PDT)
Isn't there some sort of UI to do this, though?--Np 09:53, 7 September 2005 (PDT)
Yes, there's the Disk Cleanup tool, but that only removes temp files and folders that are more than 14 days old, in WinXP at least. Alice 12:05, 17 September 2005 (PDT)

"Digg for stories"

what the heck is "Digg for stories" on step 6 doing there? Jonnyq 14:31, 6 September 2005 (PDT)

What?--Np 15:12, 6 September 2005 (PDT)
nevermind. It was just me. I had a GM script going awry. I thought someone was screwing with the KB... --Jonnyq