Skype Extension for Firefox 3 Causing Problems with Google Maps
I was trying to get some directions the other day from Google Maps and discovered that the map wouldn’t load. I recently upgraded to Firefox 3, but thought for certain that I had successfully used Google Maps since the upgrade. I did a little digging around and found that I wasn’t the only person experiencing this problem. Question was, “How do I fix this problem?”
Problem documented in bugzilla report #440194
Initially I blamed Firefox 3 for my Google Map problems. A quick search of bugzilla confirmed I was not suffering alone. Bug report #440194 documents a similar experience but some responses had people stating they saw no such problem (isn’t that always the case); however, one such response suggested launching Firefox in safe mode to help discover the root of the problem.
Use Firefox safe mode to discover the root of a problem
Safe Mode is a special way to launch Firefox that allows you to quickly disable various extensions and themes thus allowing you to more effectively troubleshoot a problem. The quickest way to start Firefox in Safe Mode is from the icon found in the Mozilla Firefox program group. Assuming you originally accepted the default installation settings follow these steps to launch Firefox Safe Mode on a Windows PC:
- Start -> All Programs -> Mozilla Firefox
- Select the Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode) option
- The Safe Mode Windows appears
- Click the Continue in Safe Mode button
Now, access the web service previously causing a problem. In my case I went directly to Google Maps, and sure enough the problem was gone. Next, I restarted Firefox in regular mode and began to disable each extension one at a time while checking the functionality of Google Maps after each extension disablement. Once I disabled the Skype extension, my problem was solved; however, just to make sure I went back and enabled everything except for Skype. Now Google Maps works perfectly provided I leave the Skype extension disabled.
Not really a Firefox 3 problem after all
I updated the bugzilla report #440194 and it’s status has since changed to “Resolved Invalid.” After I saw that I shot a note to Skype support informing them of the problem, which suspect they already know.
Firefox 3 is great but one of the primary complaints I hear about it is that many of the previously working extensions no longer work. In the case of the Skype extension, it appears the extension worked it just broke something else along the way.
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Filed under: How-To & Tech Tips
You fixed my problem, you are the man now dog.
Thanks Bret
Skype have issued hotfix which solves the problem:
https://developer.skype.com/SkypeToolbars?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=SkypeFFPlugin.2.2.0.90.exe
Glad you found the post helpful Dan.
Marc, yes I got the fix sent to me as well and blogged about it yesterday. Nevertheless, thanks for including the link in your comment. That should help others that might find this post before yesterday’s follow up.
Exactly the problem I’ve been having today. Uninstalling the plugin worked, thank you! I’ll try the hotfix now.
Thank you for solving this problem, and for pointing me to the safe mode. I can’t live without google Maps!
Artem and Tiijmen glad you both found this post helpful. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
What surprises me is that Skype doe snot follow the usual Firefox Addon auto-update features. I mean, they do not seem to have an auto-update URL which can be pinged to find out if there is a new version available. I see that they had released two more dot releases of the addon which I was not aware of.
If only they had this on, I would have been spared the pain of googling the problem out.
Thanks for the blog post and thans for the link to the fix. The fix indeed works.
Absolutely, the Skype problem would have been avoided by many if the extension auto updated like so many other extensions.
Thanks for the comment Abi.
Thank you all; this information was very helpful to me. I too was blaming FF3 until I read this, but installed Skype’s hotfix and now everything works perfectly.
Glad I could help Steve, and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I did a custom install of Skype and deleted the Firefox and IE extensions. It worked
Legend!! This has been bugging me for a while, who would have guessed it would be little ol skype … much respect!!
Hey Ant, I know the feeling of finding the “right answer.” The Internet is a wonderful thing.
Glad I could help and thanks for stopping by.
Bret,
Thanks a lot for your solution, i’ve been breaking my head for a while over this problem and now my maps are loading again as they used to!!
Inge
Glad you found the solution helpful Inge. Thanks for the positive comment.
Uff… It was my problem too. Now resolved. Thx.
Hey Maps, glad the post helped you solve the problem. Thanks for leaving a positive comment.
I have this problem too. Its make me crazy. I didn’t use this extension anymore. this post can fix it. thanks