Firefox disables an addon
 

On two systems, firefox 2.0.0.8 and firefox 2.0.0.8 keeps the installed Video DownloadHelper addon disabled. It refers to "missing elements" and grays out the "enable addon button".

The developers of the addon claim that the addon is compatible with firefox versions 1.5 through 3.0.

In fact, some other users report success with this addon on 2.0.0.x, whilst for me just no version of this addon works, not even those ones designed for firefox 2.0.x.

I tried to install the MR Tech Toolkit that could make other addons compatible, but even the MR Tech Toolkit addon is kept disabled by firefox.

I tried to install the addon on a new profile, but it is still kept disabled.

Is there an other way to enable this addon on firefox 2.0.0.x?

This could be a file permission problem. If the add on is installed in a system folder then check to see if it is readable by "others". If it is installed in your home folder check to see if the permissions permit you to run it. Keep in mind that Java scripts do not need execute permission to run. Also, if your /home is mounted on a separate partition you may have mounted it with the noexec mount parameter. Again, this will not disable a Java Script application but it would disable a binary application.

My /home partition is mounted with the noexec mount parameter and my Firefox add ons work fine with no messing around. I don't use that particular add on though.

I got it working this way:

a) Installed an old version of the addon that was specifically designed for firefox 2.0.0.X, and noticed that it was working, despite of the fact, that firefox reported it as disabled. The toolbar icon belonging to this old version was a simpler one, without any animation, that turned out to be important.

b) uninstalled the old addon version and installed the new one

Now the installed addon is the new version, and though it is still reported as disabled, it actually works, only the toolbar icon is the one that came with the old version of the addon for some reason.