Firefox problems - HELP!

[Julia]

Re part of above, I'm now being remembered by IE on ASF. No idea why but that's OK.

Am also now getting the new number for Winsnap screenshot coming up.

The other thing that has been happening since the FF crash is that when I try to exit a site on IE I get the screen below:
Doesn't seem to be any problem in just bringing up IE again and carrying on.
It would all appear to be connected somehow.

 

[$20shoes]

IE and Firefox hey. Makes it more interesting!! Do you run virus and/or malware software? If so, what is it and is it up to date?
Could be a nasty causing it or could be Antivirus software not letting it start for some reason ( you could potentially turn off your internet access, temporarily disable your AV software and see if FF will start up. Even attempt the FF update while AV software is disabled ( you would need to download the executable for 3.6.4 beforehand of course).

This link may be helpful for Firefox:

http://support.mozilla.com/ga-IE/kb/Firefox+crashes

And possibly this:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firewalls

There is one other thing - - can you start you PC in Safe Mode? Keep hitting F8 while its at the boot screen until you are prompted with boot menus. If you can get into Safe Mode ( looks odd while its loading Safe Mode so don't worry about that), does Firefox start up in here? Does IE?

 

[noirua]

Probably best to delete Firefox and reinstall it. You can also install the beta version and then have two options. Browser Flock also runs using Firefox as a third option.
Using filehippo.com for downloading and installing updates as well as reminding about updates, works well.
Maxthon3 beta, works through IE, is a tough old browser that overcomes connection problems best. However, it's not as good as Firefox in very many other respects. A worthwhile extra option though.

 

[Julia]

how bout you just use chrome. I dont know how all you people can put up with firefox and its EXTREME memory leaks after 5 minutes of basic use.

Thank you. I've downloaded Chrome and it seems OK except I don't have the bar across the top with "File, Edit......." etc.
Can someone tell me how to get this up, please?

IE and Firefox hey. Makes it more interesting!! Do you run virus and/or malware software? If so, what is it and is it up to date?

AVG and yes it's up to date. Have checked and it assures me there are no problems and all is operating as it should.
I don't think it's anything to do with the antivirus. I've had the same problem before with a FF update causing similar. I called a tech in to fix it and have no idea what he did.
I want to just get rid of FF. If I just go to Add or Remove Programs can I safely remove it from there?

Thank you, $20 shoes, for trying to help. If I could just get the File Edit etc bar back at the top that would be good. It's there as normal on IE .

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

Hi Julia,

I've had many problems with FF over the last few years. It boots up slowly at times, wants to update itself in a fashion I don't like, then fails to work with vista and some software combinations. I've had exploit problems and updating it is a must.

So I use Safari which is apple and is top notch in speed and operation. I use opera too but it is slower than safari. Of course IE8 for some websites.

I have given FF the flick.

 

[mazzatelli]

Hi Julia,

You can remove Firefox via the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.

Though make sure you backup your personal settings folder for FF (which contains your favorites etc), so that you can restore them after a fresh install.

Even after the uninstall via control panel, delete all FF folders, and possibly clean the registry, before a new installation.

 

[pixel]

Hi Julia;
Have you had any success with FF yet?
I would've suggested the same as noirua: Uninstall, clean, re-install.
Also, never accept automatic updates - by all means, let them be downloaded in the background - but when they're ready, always request to be asked when it's convenient to install and reboot. That doesn't just apply to Firefox, but includes Windoze and any other programs.

Add-ons can indeed be hazardous - as can special AV and Search toolbars. I never allow such addons to be automatically added. Be it Java with its Google (hate them taking control )

FWIW, I've been using Firefox and AVG for years - just updated to 3.6 an hour ago on this lappie (Vista). Never had a problem (having said that, that will now change, of course )

Seeing you're with Westnet - are you on WA time too? If so, contact me tomorrow morning around 10AM - I'll have some tax work to do and will be "in the office". I'm sure we can sort your problems out.

PS: Before unloading Firefox, make sure you take a (hard)copy of your user ids and associated passwords: Tools, Options, Security tab, Passwords

 

[Julia]

Hi Julia;
Have you had any success with FF yet?
I would've suggested the same as noirua: Uninstall, clean, re-install.
Also, never accept automatic updates - by all means, let them be downloaded in the background - but when they're ready, always request to be asked when it's convenient to install and reboot. That doesn't just apply to Firefox, but includes Windoze and any other programs.

Add-ons can indeed be hazardous - as can special AV and Search toolbars. I never allow such addons to be automatically added. Be it Java with its Google (hate them taking control )

FWIW, I've been using Firefox for years - just updated to 3.6 an hour ago. Never had a problem (having said that, that will now change, of course )

Seeing you're with Westnet - are you on WA time too? If so, contact me tomorrow morning around 10AM - I'll have some tax work to do and will be "in the office". I'm sure we can sort your problems out.

Thanks pixel. I've uninstalled FF.
I have no idea how to ensure no automatic updates happen.
No, I'm not in W.A. Westnet service Qld also.
Is the time difference four hours? I can be logged on at 2pm AEST.
I like Chrome, it's much faster than the others, but on it I don't have the essential toolbar at the top with File, Edit etc.
If I can just get that, I'm happy to use Chrome.
IE seems to have been partly stuffed up by the FF crash too as it keeps telling me it has to close because it has encountered a problem.

I ***** hate technology.

 

[noirua]

Thanks pixel.
I like Chrome, it's much faster than the others, but on it I don't have the essential toolbar at the top with File, Edit etc.
If I can just get that, I'm happy to use Chrome.
IE seems to have been partly stuffed up by the FF crash too as it keeps telling me it has to close because it has encountered a problem.

I ***** hate technology.

Hi Julia, I'm not a great lover of Chrome as it takes a bit of learning. If you click-on the white cross at the top of your screen it will take you to 'most visited sites in tv screen form'; then click-on 'learn more'; and thus you could become an expert on the 'Chrome browser'.
If you go on with Chrome, I'd like to hear about it as it's a good browser really.
Though the one I have is the Chrome Beta version.

 

[supermatt]

chrome is the best browser there is. it doesn't chew up your ram or cpu like firefox and IE. chrome is SO much more easier to use than any of those. I dont use anything but chrome and suggest if your having problems u switch over.

people say opera is a pretty good browser to but chrome is a low resource browser and quick to load.

You have all the same options to do what you need in chrome. Julia if you need to copy and paste access tool bars and options its easy. just use the paper and spanner icon to the right of the address bar. I have attached a couple of pics to help you. Its really quite simple. just play around with it

ps. I suggest you re format your computer if you wish to use FF or IE. a fresh install of windows does wonders. Uninstalling and reinstalling programs doesnt do much as files are generally still left over in the registry and if you keep uninstalling stuff your computer quickly gets bogged down and runs poorly.

if you want a good free antivirus i recommend avast.
but then again if you were running linux i bet you wouldnt have any problems

 

[mazzatelli]

Even after the uninstall via control panel, delete all FF folders, and possibly clean the registry, before a new installation.

ps. I suggest you re format your computer if you wish to use FF or IE. a fresh install of windows does wonders. Uninstalling and reinstalling programs doesnt do much as files are generally still left over in the registry and if you keep uninstalling stuff your computer quickly gets bogged down and runs poorly.

but then again if you were running linux i bet you wouldnt have any problems

lol, I think if she were to run Linux, she'd only hate technology more [yes I run Linux]

Before a fresh re-install, try but be careful:
1) Choose "Run" from the start menu
2) Type in "regedit"
3) Expand "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and then software
4) There should be a Mozilla key class there - delete it

The same should be repeated for "HKEY_CURRENT_USER", then restart.
I strongly advise you back up everything, especially if you've never touched the registry before.

Then again there are always Linux live CD's to recover files

GL

 

[supermatt]

lol yes but we shouldn't get into linux conversations in here all the basic computer users will screw up their computers even more. I suggest dont touch your registry at all unless you know what you are doing! Just follow the basics which are outlined in this thread so far.

 

[pixel]

Thanks pixel. I've uninstalled FF.
I have no idea how to ensure no automatic updates happen.
No, I'm not in W.A. Westnet service Qld also.
Is the time difference four hours? I can be logged on at 2pm AEST.
I like Chrome, it's much faster than the others, but on it I don't have the essential toolbar at the top with File, Edit etc.
If I can just get that, I'm happy to use Chrome.
IE seems to have been partly stuffed up by the FF crash too as it keeps telling me it has to close because it has encountered a problem.

I ***** hate technology.

Hi Julia,
It's two hours only, but lunch break aside, I'll still be in my office at noon WA time. Talk to you then.

Seeing your IE is stuffed as well, there could be a common link, for exampe a damaged class library that's used by both. Deleting all Mozilla files from Program File (and related) folders, and Mozilla entries from the registry is always a good suggestion in itself and may fix some isues; but if segments in the Windoze folders are damaged, there may be more cleansing required.

I have purchased the RegistryBooster to keep my PCs clean; while I can't credit any particular piece of software any more than sheer dumb luck, I'll have to say that my machines are running as smoothly today as when they came fresh out of the box. And that applies regardless whether it's XP, Vista, or now Windoze 7.

 

[Wysiwyg]

Been using Firefox for years and find it "user friendly" and problem free.

 

[pixel]

Been using Firefox for years and find it "user friendly" and problem free.

... and fast and reliable
couldn't agree more, wysiwyg

Still, problems can occur with the best of programs; attacks by a virus or other nasties aside, there can be a multitude of reasons, from hardware malfunction, memory or disk read/write errors, to stuff-ups by totally unrelated system components.
I've heard good things said about Chrome before, to the point of giving it a try myself. But IMHO it was not an improvement over Firefox, so I ditched it again.

FWIW, visitor stats to my website may not be statistically significant on a global scale, but nonetheless "interesting". Graph for June 2010:

and individual versions, taken over all of 2010, show a similar picture:

 

[Wysiwyg]

... and fast and reliable
couldn't agree more, wysiwyg

Flash Player is becoming more prevalent and is a huge hog on the CPU, making internet browsing extremely annoying. I downloaded the Firefox add-on 'Flashblock' and now wonder why I didn't trace the CPU drag earlier. 100% improvement.

 

[Julia]

You have all the same options to do what you need in chrome. Julia if you need to copy and paste access tool bars and options its easy. just use the paper and spanner icon to the right of the address bar. I have attached a couple of pics to help you. Its really quite simple. just play around with it

Thanks, supermatt, and for your PM. That's great, solves the problem.

lol, I think if she were to run Linux, she'd only hate technology more [yes I run Linux]

Before a fresh re-install, try but be careful:
1) Choose "Run" from the start menu
2) Type in "regedit"
3) Expand "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and then software
4) There should be a Mozilla key class there - delete it

The same should be repeated for "HKEY_CURRENT_USER", then restart.
I strongly advise you back up everything, especially if you've never touched the registry before.

Then again there are always Linux live CD's to recover files

GL

Your suggestion that I'd hate technology even more sadly also applies to my attempting to do the above. I curdle with fear at the suggestion.
Thanks anyway - the thought and help is appreciated.

Hi Julia,
It's two hours only, but lunch break aside, I'll still be in my office at noon WA time. Talk to you then.

Thanks pixel. Have sent a PM.

 

[Julia]

Hi Julia, I'm not a great lover of Chrome as it takes a bit of learning. If you click-on the white cross at the top of your screen it will take you to 'most visited sites in tv screen form'; then click-on 'learn more'; and thus you could become an expert on the 'Chrome browser'.
If you go on with Chrome, I'd like to hear about it as it's a good browser really.
Though the one I have is the Chrome Beta version.

Thanks noirua. Now that Supermatt has told me how to access the copy and past etc functions, I'm pretty happy with Chrome so far.
Will try your suggestion when I'm not just feeling pathetically grateful for being able to use the basic functions!

 

[pixel]

Firefox Update control

Tools, Options, last tab "Advanced", "Update"
Under "When Updates to Firefox are found:" select "Ask me what I want to do"

 

[noirua]

A simple method of wiping free space can be carried out by using CCleaner.com and clicking on the box 'Wipe free space'. [dont run normal browser deletions at startup every time with 'Wipe free space' ticked as your memory will be reduced] It can take up to 4 hours depending on your computer speed.
Remember, all temporary files are wiped for ever and even 'deep recover' on 'recuva' wont retrieve them.