Since a few versions back Firebug opens as soon as I start FF. Is this a feature and can it be disabled? Or have I missed something? It used to be enough to close the thing.

The only time that happened to me was the time I had checked 'On For All Web Pages' by mistake. That option should be available on the main Firebug menu.
To remove Firebug, since it is dead now anyway, click on 'Tools - Add-ons' then select 'Extensions'. Find the Firebug entry and click the 'Remove' button. (If you have added any Firebug add-ons, remove them first)

Thanks! I actually didn't find that option, but I found "Reset all firebug options" and that worked. Hadn't noticed that option before.

Happy again.

Glad it worked out for you. The main Firebug menu I was talking about is found on the FF toolbar (if not there then you can add it) not on any Firebug menu itself.

Oh, I looked in the wrong place. But I don't find that option in the FF menu either. Maybe it's gone. But then it's odd I had it as I did. Well, I don't use FF very often, so God knows what I've been clicking...

Well, the important thing is that you are happy again. Maybe the difference is because of versions? (Mine is 2.0.19)Click to view attachment

I have the same version. Strange, my menu doesn't look at all as yours (UI differences aside). This the one that comes closest. But it doesn't have that option...


Click to view attachment

I have that same menu but it is found in the Firebug program (1st menu item, looks like a bug). The menu I posted is found on the FF toolbar, again, it looks like a bug with a drop down arrow to the right. When I click on the arrow I get the menu I posted.

Anyway, since you are a happy camper you don't need to reply, if you don't want to.

I misunderstood twice then. I have the bug in the Tools > Web Developer menu and it shows exactly the same menu items as the menu in Firebug itself.

Tools > Web Developer is what replaces Firebug (there is an icon that looks like a wrench that can be used to launch the developer tools) and I too have the Firebug option listed there. But, that is not the same place as I was talking about.

What I call the Firefox toolbar is where the 'Home', 'Downloads' and maybe 'Print' icons and the address bar is found. If you don't have the Firebug icon showing then you might have removed it at some time?

Ah! Now I see it! I hadn't even noticed that little grey squiggly thing was a bug icon. Yes, at last I can see that option that must have been accidentally turned on. Thanks!

Good to hear, all is right with the world now.