This can be a problem with the file places.sqlite that stores the bookmarks and the history.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox

If you use the same profile folder with different Firefox versions then create a new profile exclusively for the 4.0 beta version and create a desktop shortcut with -P "profile" appended to the target to launch that profile.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Testing_pre-release_versions

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Shortcut_to_a_specific_profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Using_multiple_profiles_-_Firefox

Thank you so much! Deleting the places.sqlite files worked. I can now successfully shop on Amazon! LOL ;-)

After closing my browser and going back in again it does it again. Deleting the files works again but its a hassle, I am trying other options in the links you provided.

Do you have McAfee site advisor? I started having this EXACT same issue a few days ago. I found out that it was the McAfee site advisor causing the problem. Click the Tools drop-down and select add-ons. In the add-ons window, click the Extensions panel. Select McAfee and disable it.

Hope this helps, Arielle!

Thank you so much for this! I've been plagued with the lack of a back button for over a month and it was driving me insane! I would have never guessed it was SiteAdvisor! I know this hasn't been replied to in a month, but I wanted to say THANKS.

This has been a huge problem since at least Firefox 10. The only reason more don't show here is there are many posts for this same problem with slightly different wording. To demonstrate the problem, paste the following Google Search into your browser:

minimum disk space for windows 7 ultimate 64 bit

This generated the following string in my browser address bar.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Windows+7+Ultimate+vs+Windows+7+Enterprise&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&sclient=psy-ab&q=minimum+disk+space+for+windows+7+ultimate+64+bit&oq=minimum+disk+space+for+windows+7+ultimate+64+bit&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=serp.3...116017l125221l5l125573l20l19l1l0l0l5l1052l4118l3j12j2j6-1j1l20l0.frgbld.&pbx=1&fp=1&biw=1920&bih=852&cad=b&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb

Next, select what for me was the top search result:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements

After the page loads, press the back button. Firefox will not return to the Google Search page, and will place a Continue page in your history. Chrome, IE, and Safari do not have this problem.

I had the same problem, but i've solved it. Try to create new firefox Profile. On windows, press win + r to bring up the "run dialog", then type "firefox.exe -P" without quote, and create a new profile. This at least worked for me. NB: I don't have McAfee site advisor.