Unable to save any settings
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Paul Duncan
Mar 11, 2018, 12:04:37 AM3/11/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
I can't seem to get download helper to save my settings.
I am using Firefox 58.0.2 (64 bit) on Windows 10, and Video Downloadhelper 7.2.1.
I installed the Companion App (VdhCoApp 1.1.3)
Under settings, I tried to change two settings.
1. On the Appearance Tab, I unchecked the "Notify when processed" notification
and clicked the blue SAVE button in the lower left corner
2. On the Behaviour Tab, I unchecked the "Remember last directory" box, and
changed the Default download directory to C:\Users\<myname>\Download
and clicked the blue SAVE button in the lower left corner
If I then close firefox, and re-open it again, and check the Appearance tab, the Notify when processed button has gone back to being checked, and the Behaviour tab has dwhelper as the default download directory, and the remember last directory box is checked again.
Not sure why download helper isn't saving my options?
I am using Firefox 58.0.2 (64 bit) on Windows 10, and Video Downloadhelper 7.2.1.
I installed the Companion App (VdhCoApp 1.1.3)
Under settings, I tried to change two settings.
1. On the Appearance Tab, I unchecked the "Notify when processed" notification
and clicked the blue SAVE button in the lower left corner
2. On the Behaviour Tab, I unchecked the "Remember last directory" box, and
changed the Default download directory to C:\Users\<myname>\Download
and clicked the blue SAVE button in the lower left corner
If I then close firefox, and re-open it again, and check the Appearance tab, the Notify when processed button has gone back to being checked, and the Behaviour tab has dwhelper as the default download directory, and the remember last directory box is checked again.
Not sure why download helper isn't saving my options?
mig
Mar 11, 2018, 8:50:26 AM3/11/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Could it be that your Firefox user profile directory is read-only ? Try changing a Firefox setting (not VDH related) then restart the browser. Did the change persisted ?
anuhea55 00
Mar 11, 2018, 10:46:12 AM3/11/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
paul.. I'm using 58.0.2, 7.1.2, 1.1.3 in Win10(64)....I tried your 3 settings and Save. My observations are:
- I unchecked the notification check (not sure why you don't want completion feedback),
- I unchecked the last directory (I wonder if these next two only work when you use CompApp as the Download Processor and doesn't when Processor is Browser)
- I changed the download directory to \myname\download (could not edit the box, had to pick the change button to scroll my folders)
- then chose the Blue Save on lower RIGHT (NOW these cancel/default/Save appear on my bottom RIGHT corner of the Settings window...not like yours on the lower Left Corner...why?
- I just X closed the Settings tab, then went back to open the GEAR in VDH and everything stayed the same. I did not close/open FF because I'm in the middle of typing this reply.
Mig's comment about "read-only" is curious, not exactly sure where you would look for this information.
- I unchecked the notification check (not sure why you don't want completion feedback),
- I unchecked the last directory (I wonder if these next two only work when you use CompApp as the Download Processor and doesn't when Processor is Browser)
- I changed the download directory to \myname\download (could not edit the box, had to pick the change button to scroll my folders)
- then chose the Blue Save on lower RIGHT (NOW these cancel/default/Save appear on my bottom RIGHT corner of the Settings window...not like yours on the lower Left Corner...why?
- I just X closed the Settings tab, then went back to open the GEAR in VDH and everything stayed the same. I did not close/open FF because I'm in the middle of typing this reply.
Mig's comment about "read-only" is curious, not exactly sure where you would look for this information.
Paul Duncan
Mar 11, 2018, 3:21:25 PM3/11/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Ok, I changed a firefox setting, and it saved.
About:config
I modified browser.startup.homepage string to have a value of http://www.google.com,
clicked ok, closed about config tab, closed browser, and restarted & my home page was http://www.google.com
so that setting saved.
Using the Firefox menu button in the top right corner, then Help / Troubleshooting Information, it says my profile directory is
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291
After I turn on "show hidden files", and use File explorer to go 6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291, if I right click on it, Attributes show the Read-Only box has a black square in it.
According to google, the box is always a filled in block on Folder Properties no matter what.
I checked the Attributes box again, and found if I keep clicking it, it goes in this order
Read-only with black square
Read-only box cleared
Read-only with a tick in it
If I clear the box, click Apply button, and then choose "Apply changes to this folder, subfolder and files" and click ok, I see a progress bar of windows changing the attributes.
However, if I go back and look at the same 6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291 directory again, the black square marking it "Read-Only" is still there. And if I go up a directory, then C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles also has a black square in the Read-Only box. This is consistent with what google reports about the box is always a filled in block on Folder Properties no matter what.
Even though there is a black square in the Profiles box, I can still create files in C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles, and C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291, and edit and save them (eg I created text file with the characters abc in it).
About:config
I modified browser.startup.homepage string to have a value of http://www.google.com,
clicked ok, closed about config tab, closed browser, and restarted & my home page was http://www.google.com
so that setting saved.
Using the Firefox menu button in the top right corner, then Help / Troubleshooting Information, it says my profile directory is
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291
After I turn on "show hidden files", and use File explorer to go 6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291, if I right click on it, Attributes show the Read-Only box has a black square in it.
According to google, the box is always a filled in block on Folder Properties no matter what.
I checked the Attributes box again, and found if I keep clicking it, it goes in this order
Read-only with black square
Read-only box cleared
Read-only with a tick in it
If I clear the box, click Apply button, and then choose "Apply changes to this folder, subfolder and files" and click ok, I see a progress bar of windows changing the attributes.
However, if I go back and look at the same 6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291 directory again, the black square marking it "Read-Only" is still there. And if I go up a directory, then C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles also has a black square in the Read-Only box. This is consistent with what google reports about the box is always a filled in block on Folder Properties no matter what.
Even though there is a black square in the Profiles box, I can still create files in C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles, and C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6prz1mf9.default-1520669272291, and edit and save them (eg I created text file with the characters abc in it).
Paul Duncan
Mar 11, 2018, 3:29:53 PM3/11/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Reply to anuhea 55,
Yes the changes to the companion app directory and notification seem to persist if you stay in the same firefox session, without exiting. But if you close firefox and restart, then the changes are lost.
Yes the changes to the companion app directory and notification seem to persist if you stay in the same firefox session, without exiting. But if you close firefox and restart, then the changes are lost.
anuhea55 00
Mar 11, 2018, 4:10:22 PM3/11/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
paul...I can see how frustrating this issue is for you.. I tried resetting some of my VDH settings to yours, then closed (X) the FF (Note: there also is a Exit under the 3 horiz bars and there is another Exit under the File entry at the top Left above the Tabs). Either of these two Exists MAY save and update FF the same or differently. When I did mine (X) and went back to open FF and VDH Gear, the changes stayed there...unlike yours.
You also said that the Settings Save box was at the lower LEFT....mine is on the lower RIGHT.
I tried looking at the Troubleshooting section of FF and also the FileManager Properties check of the files and folders. My Attributes on both the /download and /dwhelper both have the dark square in in the Read only box....there is nothing about Write. However, under the Customize, the /download is set to Documents and /dwhelper is Videos. NOw I can save videos to both directories so this does not make sense. Sometime ago, a user had a discussion about this bucket but it had mostly to do about the files and where they were stored....and NOT the saving of the Settings of VDH.
You also said that the Settings Save box was at the lower LEFT....mine is on the lower RIGHT.
I tried looking at the Troubleshooting section of FF and also the FileManager Properties check of the files and folders. My Attributes on both the /download and /dwhelper both have the dark square in in the Read only box....there is nothing about Write. However, under the Customize, the /download is set to Documents and /dwhelper is Videos. NOw I can save videos to both directories so this does not make sense. Sometime ago, a user had a discussion about this bucket but it had mostly to do about the files and where they were stored....and NOT the saving of the Settings of VDH.
Paul Duncan
Mar 12, 2018, 1:00:06 AM3/12/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
To eliminate my firefox profile as an issue, I tried this
1. Add/remove programs to uninstall firefox
2. Removed these directories
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Mozilla
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\LocalLow\Mozilla
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\LocalLow\Roaming\Mozilla
3. Add/remove programs to uninstall VdhCoApp 1.1.3
4. Ran Firefox Installer.exe
Have clean install of Firefox 58.0.2 (64 bit), no other Add-ons installed, no settings imported (eg no bookmarks or bookmark toolbars)
5. In the Add-ons Manager, install VDH 7.2.1
Click vdh options button
Click + next to Companion App not installed
Click Install Companion App button
Click Download
Exit from Firefox
Run VdhCoAppSetup-1.1.3.exe, click Yes
Click ok to English
Next,
Select the I accept the agreement radio button
Next, Next, Install, Finish
6. Start Firefox
7. In the Add-ons Manager, click the VDH options button
Companion App showing as installed
Click Appearance tab, Uncheck Notify when processed Notification
Click Save in lower RIGHT (my mistake for saying left)
Click Behaviour tab, Uncheck Use last download directory as default location
Click Default download directory Change button
Select C:\Users\Paul from drop-down box
Click on Downloads
Click on Green ok button
Default download directory now has C:\Users\Paul\Downloads
Click Save in lower RIGHT (my mistake for saying left)
Switched between Appearance and Behaviour tabs to confirm that settings are still there
Usually I would close firefox using X in top right, but to try something different, I chose the Firefox menu button in top right ( 3 vertical bars) then exit
8. Re-open firefox
9. In the Add-ons Manager, click the VDH options button
Click Appearance, Notification box was checked ( i.e. not saved)
Clicked Behaviour, Default download was set to dwhelper, so C:\Users\Paul\Downloads was not saved.
1. Add/remove programs to uninstall firefox
2. Removed these directories
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Mozilla
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\LocalLow\Mozilla
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\LocalLow\Roaming\Mozilla
3. Add/remove programs to uninstall VdhCoApp 1.1.3
4. Ran Firefox Installer.exe
Have clean install of Firefox 58.0.2 (64 bit), no other Add-ons installed, no settings imported (eg no bookmarks or bookmark toolbars)
5. In the Add-ons Manager, install VDH 7.2.1
Click vdh options button
Click + next to Companion App not installed
Click Install Companion App button
Click Download
Exit from Firefox
Run VdhCoAppSetup-1.1.3.exe, click Yes
Click ok to English
Next,
Select the I accept the agreement radio button
Next, Next, Install, Finish
6. Start Firefox
7. In the Add-ons Manager, click the VDH options button
Companion App showing as installed
Click Appearance tab, Uncheck Notify when processed Notification
Click Save in lower RIGHT (my mistake for saying left)
Click Behaviour tab, Uncheck Use last download directory as default location
Click Default download directory Change button
Select C:\Users\Paul from drop-down box
Click on Downloads
Click on Green ok button
Default download directory now has C:\Users\Paul\Downloads
Click Save in lower RIGHT (my mistake for saying left)
Switched between Appearance and Behaviour tabs to confirm that settings are still there
Usually I would close firefox using X in top right, but to try something different, I chose the Firefox menu button in top right ( 3 vertical bars) then exit
8. Re-open firefox
9. In the Add-ons Manager, click the VDH options button
Click Appearance, Notification box was checked ( i.e. not saved)
Clicked Behaviour, Default download was set to dwhelper, so C:\Users\Paul\Downloads was not saved.
Paul Duncan
Mar 12, 2018, 3:05:34 AM3/12/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
The reason I can't save the vdh options seems to be related to my Firefox cookie settings.
I found that vdh would remember vdh options if I left the Firefox history as
Firefox will "Remember history"
Firefox will remember your browsing, download, form and search history, and
keep cookies from websites you visit.
when I couldn't get vdh options to save, I was using
Firefox Privacy & Security History options of
Firefox will "Use Custom settings for history"
[ Unchecked ] Remember my browsing and download history
[ checked ] Remember search and form history
[ Unchecked ] Accept cookies from websites ( I use an exceptions list )
Trying
Firefox will "Use Custom settings for history"
[ checked ] Remember my browsing and download history
[ checked ] Remember search and form history
[ checked ] Accept cookies from websites
lets you save vdh options.
I then tried
Firefox will "Use Custom settings for history"
[ checked ] Remember my browsing and download history
[ checked ] Remember search and form history
[ unchecked ] Accept cookies from websites
and restarted firefox, then I found that the vdh options all went back to defaults
i.e.using dwhelper as the download directory
===> So the vdh options must be being held in a cookie, not in a mozilla profile setting
When I was using download helper version 6 I never had this problem - probably because it doesn't the Companion App download processor.
I found that vdh would remember vdh options if I left the Firefox history as
Firefox will "Remember history"
Firefox will remember your browsing, download, form and search history, and
keep cookies from websites you visit.
when I couldn't get vdh options to save, I was using
Firefox Privacy & Security History options of
Firefox will "Use Custom settings for history"
[ Unchecked ] Remember my browsing and download history
[ checked ] Remember search and form history
[ Unchecked ] Accept cookies from websites ( I use an exceptions list )
Trying
Firefox will "Use Custom settings for history"
[ checked ] Remember my browsing and download history
[ checked ] Remember search and form history
[ checked ] Accept cookies from websites
lets you save vdh options.
I then tried
Firefox will "Use Custom settings for history"
[ checked ] Remember my browsing and download history
[ checked ] Remember search and form history
[ unchecked ] Accept cookies from websites
and restarted firefox, then I found that the vdh options all went back to defaults
i.e.using dwhelper as the download directory
===> So the vdh options must be being held in a cookie, not in a mozilla profile setting
When I was using download helper version 6 I never had this problem - probably because it doesn't the Companion App download processor.
mig
Mar 12, 2018, 8:26:23 AM3/12/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
The problem with settings being erased on browser "Clear history" existed in early VDH7 versions, but it is supposed to have been fixed months ago (and users who had the problem reported the fix was successful). Now, the VDH settings are backed up in the persistent WebExtensions storage in addition to regular window.storage (not cookies but close enough) which is erased with history.
Could you try to create a new Firefox user profile, re-install VDH on this profile (and no other add-ons), and do the test again ? This could help determining if another add-on is messing around with the storage database.
Could you try to create a new Firefox user profile, re-install VDH on this profile (and no other add-ons), and do the test again ? This could help determining if another add-on is messing around with the storage database.
anuhea55 00
Mar 12, 2018, 2:18:32 PM3/12/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Thanks Paul for persisting with this issue. I would have been pounding the table if I had the problem for no VDH Settings Save. I don't know why you uncheck the notify box, but I guess you find it annoying or something. I've been testing issues in another forum entry about HLS and movie download with Browser and CoApp that has been bothering me too... under BIG Thank you...
Back to your issue. I also tried to change the FF Options/Priv&Security to Uncheck the "Accept Cookies from Websites". I Left the "Clear History when FF Closes" with a Check on it. You are correct that after a restart of FF, the VDH settings ALL go back to Default. While within FF, it saves. I made changes to VDH, closed FF again and all VDH settings went back to default. I guess I never had this unchecked before or used the Exception list. So you at least found the problem....Congratz!! Hope others can benefit, Phew!!
Back to your issue. I also tried to change the FF Options/Priv&Security to Uncheck the "Accept Cookies from Websites". I Left the "Clear History when FF Closes" with a Check on it. You are correct that after a restart of FF, the VDH settings ALL go back to Default. While within FF, it saves. I made changes to VDH, closed FF again and all VDH settings went back to default. I guess I never had this unchecked before or used the Exception list. So you at least found the problem....Congratz!! Hope others can benefit, Phew!!
Paul Duncan
Mar 13, 2018, 3:16:35 AM3/13/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Re mig
> Could you try to create a new Firefox user profile, re-install VDH on this profile (and no other add-ons),
> and do the test again ? This could help determining if another add-on is messing around with the
> storage database.
> and do the test again ? This could help determining if another add-on is messing around with the
> storage database.
Yes, I tried doing that. Here's what happened.
I followed the steps on here to create a new profile
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows
In search box
firefox.exe -P
Click Create Profile button
Click Next
Typed vdh in the 'Enter new profile name' box
Click 'Finish'
Clear the "Use the selected profile without asking startup" box so that it is unchecked
click the 'Start Firefox' box
Added Video Downloadhelper 7.2.1
Clicked options button and confirmed Companion App was installed (VdhCoApp 1.1.3)
Clicked Appearance tab and unchecked Notify when processed Notification
Clicked blue save button
Clicked Behaviour tab and selected Companion Application from dropdown
Changed the Default download directory to C:\Users\Paul\Downloads
Unchecked "Use last download directory as default location
Clicked blue save button
Alternated between behaviour and appearance tabs to check settings are still there
Selected top right menu button with three vertical bars, and then Exit to close firefox
Opened firefox
vdh profile was selected
Clicked start firefox
Clicked ctrl-shift-a to open extensions add-on-manager
Clicked vdh options button
Confirmed appearance and behaviour options are still there (as expected)
Opened firefox options window
Clicked Privacy & Security
Changed History from
Firefox will Remember History
to
Firefox will Use custom settings for history
Unchecked the Accept cookies from websites
Closed Options window
Selected top right menu button with three vertical bars, and then Exit to close firefox
Will now see what has happened to the vdh settings
Opened firefox
vdh profile was selected
Clicked start firefox
Clicked ctrl-shift-a to open extensions add-on-manager
Clicked vdh options button
Appearance tab Notification box is checked (i.e. setting has been lost)
Behaviour tab all settings are back at defaults
Download processor is Ask
Default download directory is dwhelper
Remember last directory is checked
So all settings have been lost and gone back to defaults
From anuhea55's reply, it looks like they were also able to duplicate the settings being lost by unchecking the Accept cookies from Websites option.
Ideally I'd like to be able to leave browser cookies disabled, and still be able to use VDH with saved options.
Do you think this might able to be fixed?
I followed the steps on here to create a new profile
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows
In search box
firefox.exe -P
Click Create Profile button
Click Next
Typed vdh in the 'Enter new profile name' box
Click 'Finish'
Clear the "Use the selected profile without asking startup" box so that it is unchecked
click the 'Start Firefox' box
Added Video Downloadhelper 7.2.1
Clicked options button and confirmed Companion App was installed (VdhCoApp 1.1.3)
Clicked Appearance tab and unchecked Notify when processed Notification
Clicked blue save button
Clicked Behaviour tab and selected Companion Application from dropdown
Changed the Default download directory to C:\Users\Paul\Downloads
Unchecked "Use last download directory as default location
Clicked blue save button
Alternated between behaviour and appearance tabs to check settings are still there
Selected top right menu button with three vertical bars, and then Exit to close firefox
Opened firefox
vdh profile was selected
Clicked start firefox
Clicked ctrl-shift-a to open extensions add-on-manager
Clicked vdh options button
Confirmed appearance and behaviour options are still there (as expected)
Opened firefox options window
Clicked Privacy & Security
Changed History from
Firefox will Remember History
to
Firefox will Use custom settings for history
Unchecked the Accept cookies from websites
Closed Options window
Selected top right menu button with three vertical bars, and then Exit to close firefox
Will now see what has happened to the vdh settings
Opened firefox
vdh profile was selected
Clicked start firefox
Clicked ctrl-shift-a to open extensions add-on-manager
Clicked vdh options button
Appearance tab Notification box is checked (i.e. setting has been lost)
Behaviour tab all settings are back at defaults
Download processor is Ask
Default download directory is dwhelper
Remember last directory is checked
So all settings have been lost and gone back to defaults
From anuhea55's reply, it looks like they were also able to duplicate the settings being lost by unchecking the Accept cookies from Websites option.
Ideally I'd like to be able to leave browser cookies disabled, and still be able to use VDH with saved options.
Do you think this might able to be fixed?
anuhea55 00
Mar 13, 2018, 9:27:54 AM3/13/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Paul & Mig... I just tried again to Uncheck the FF "Accept Cookies from Websites" and exited FF. I left the "Custom Settings for Hist", Remember Browsing, Search history and Clear Hist on FF close all with Checks. The "Always Use Private Browsing Mode" was always UnChecked. Re-opened FF and the VDH Settings all got RESET to Default!. So, Uncheck of Cookies is the culprit. If you insist on this "no Cookies" being reset on FF logoff (I'm guessing you don't mind always typing common items when re-visiting a URL after FF logoff), then maybe you could enter, into the Exception box, the VDH Cookie site. Maybe Mig could tell you what it is. Thanks Paul, we learn something every day. There are so many check boxes to turn on/off....must Google and search the Net. Note: I tried looking in the "Show Cookie" box in FF Privacy area and could not find any reference to VDH!!!
Paul Duncan
Mar 18, 2018, 11:04:47 PM3/18/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Hi,
I can now save vdh settings.
Over the last few days, Firefox updated from 58.0.2 (64 bit) to 59.0.1 (64 bit), and vdh from 7.2.1 to 7.2.2.
Now if I open firefox with a new profile, and go into the Firefox Privacy & Security settings, and uncheck the "Accept cookies from websites", and then re-start firefox, when I check the vdh options tabs they are still there and have not gone back to the defaults.
As two things changed at the same time ( firefox version, and vdh ), I'm not sure which it was, but I suspect it was the firefox update that solved my issue.
Thanks for your help and suggestions!
I can now save vdh settings.
Over the last few days, Firefox updated from 58.0.2 (64 bit) to 59.0.1 (64 bit), and vdh from 7.2.1 to 7.2.2.
Now if I open firefox with a new profile, and go into the Firefox Privacy & Security settings, and uncheck the "Accept cookies from websites", and then re-start firefox, when I check the vdh options tabs they are still there and have not gone back to the defaults.
As two things changed at the same time ( firefox version, and vdh ), I'm not sure which it was, but I suspect it was the firefox update that solved my issue.
Thanks for your help and suggestions!
mig
Mar 19, 2018, 4:44:38 AM3/19/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
Thanks for the feedback.
This might be due to the Firefox update indeed. The 7.2.1 to 7.2.2 VDH update was only administrative change for going through the Mozilla approval.
This might be due to the Firefox update indeed. The 7.2.1 to 7.2.2 VDH update was only administrative change for going through the Mozilla approval.
anuhea55 00
Mar 19, 2018, 10:46:26 AM3/19/18
to Video DownloadHelper Q&A
paul....i just loaded FF59.0.1 and left my VDH at 7.1.2 and retried your issue with the unchecking of cookies....and Yes, this does work now. The VDH settings remain after closing FF..Congratz!!. However, I did not read anything in the FF release notes about cookies issue/solutions.. I had to go back and add the check to the cookies because sites that I go to requested cookies....like banking. I need to see if FF59 improves some of the CPU/Ram issues with DASH and movie downloads that have started to appear in VDH, and SaveAs Tabs closing that gt paul had (I never got this Tab issue, but I did get a Pop-up SaveAs box closing after 10sec). I also guess I need to go to 7.2.2 of VDH before testing.
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