Getting e-mail links to open in new tab again (Firefox)

Cadi

I've had a few problems with Firefox, starting a few days ago, including the Hotmail thing which I see a few others have been having, and the font size becoming very small (although only on MSE). I''ve run a system scan and deleted cookies etc, and fixed the font size.

But the thing that's baffling me is that now when I click on e-mail links it opens up my default googlemail in a new window, instead of a new tab. I much preferred it the old way, as it seemed faster, and the whole summary page would appear, and not just a smaller "compose" page, slap-bang in the middle of the screen.

Can't figure out how to switch it back.

Can anyone help?
Ta,
Cadi

john_s_2

when I click on e-mail links it opens up my default googlemail in a new window, instead of a new tab.

Tools > Options > Tabs should be set to Open new pages in a new tab. If 'new window' is ticked then I'd say this is why.

If 'new tab' is already ticked then I can't help I'm afraid.

Cadi

I've checked again, and it's set to open new pages in a tab. Oddly, it's just e-mail links that do this. Maybe it's a googlemail error, but their site info doesn't help.

john_s_2

Hmmm... it could be that Googlemail uses some sort of script to open links in a new window that overrides the new tab option you've set. The BBC iPlayer opens in a new window if javascript is allowed (and doesn't work if it isn't...)

That said, I use Sky email, which is based on Googlemail, and I've just tried clicking a link in an email and although it opens in a new tab, it opens in a new tab (not window).

I *might* have set an option at some point, or installed an add-on (extenstion) that overrides this behaviour, but to be honest I can't remember! I'll bear it in mind and post back if I can think of anything.

Note: I know very little about javascript but I reckon this (from the source code of the link I clicked on) looks like it will attempt to open in a new window. I must have tweaked something to prevent this. Maybe someone else will know?

return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)

john_s_2

Hi again. OK, try this. In a new tab enter: "about:config" in the address bar (no quotes) and hit enter.

You might get a warning saying, "Here be dragons!" Read it carefully :-)

Scroll down to where it says "browser.link...". In my Firefox (3.0.6) there are three choices:

browser.link.open_external
browser.link.open_newwindow
browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction

In my set up they are all set to their default values (3,3,2 respectively and the Status column says default).

If yours are different I wouldn't recommend changing them, but post saying so here. Similarly, if they are as I describe, also post back cos it must be something else :-\

The about.config are basically loads of options you can tweak in Firefox. A lot of them are changed when you change the default options in the Tools > Options, but many of them are only changeable within this dialogue (or by extensions should you install any). The non-advanced user (which includes me!) has little business poking around in here :-)

EDIT: Just had a thought... When you say:

when I click on e-mail links it opens up my default googlemail

I presume you mean that if you click on an email address (such as any@address.com) then it opens Googlemail in a new window? (Presumably already logged into your account, with a new blank email addressed to the address you clicked on.) AFAIK this isn't default behaviour of Firefox. Do you have an extension installed that does this?

I was answering on the basis that it's when you click on links within email messages you're readin.

Cadi

Thanks john s.

OK, I've had a look there, and my settings are the same as yours.

It's pretty odd, as I hadn't tinkered with anything, and it's specific to e-mail. And odd that the e-mail page is displayed has also changed.

john_s_2

Hi, sorry I edited my last post after you replied. Please check my edit at the bottom.

It might be an idea to check the forums for gmail. I've never used them but given it's Google I'm sure they're fairly busy!

http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-Help-Discussion

Cadi

I fixed it!

In a moment of pique, I uninstalled Firefox, installed it again, and it's back to normal. I think that was lucky...

john_s_2

Cadi wrote: »

I fixed it!

In a moment of pique, I uninstalled Firefox, installed it again, and it's back to normal. I think that was lucky...

I hate solutions like that ;-)

Glad you got it sorted!