Web Browser Still Running

When I try to open my web browser, eg firefox or seamonkey, my computer thinks it has a web browser running already and I know it is not really running. These instructions are for linux and macos X users.

This happens when firefox or seamonkey were closed down unexpectedly especially after power cuts. The problem is to do with lock files.

• For Firefox:
  Run the commands (from a terminal or xterm window)

  	killall firefox-bin
  	unlock-firefox
  

• For Seamonkey:
  

  These commands must be ran from your home directory. Open a new terminal or xterm window if you are unsure.

  First make sure Seamonkey is not really running.

  	killall mozilla-bin
  

  Then search for locks.

  Firstly see if what is known as a parentlock has got left behind.

  Find and delete what is known as the parentlock. Run the following command in the terminal or xterm

  	find . -name .parentlock -exec rm -i '{}' \;
  

  You will be asked if you would like to remove various empty files. If the file path name contains Mozilla or Firefox or Seamonkey, then yes you would like to remove it.

  If you still have problems see if you have any old lock files. In the terminal or Xterm run

  	find . -name lock -exec rm -i '{}' \;
  

Still a problem

If that doesn't solve the problem or you cannot follow these instructions contact the department help-desk. Include the name of the computer you are using, the name of your web-browser eg firefox or seamonkey and any error messages or problems you had following the above suggestions.