Firefox crashing computer - possibly!

davolente · Joined: Oct 04, 2003 Posts: 304 Location: Kent, UK

I have a long-time intermittent problem which I have posted on the Mozilla forum and not had any response. Every now and again, computer totally crashes. Screens (I have two) go completely blank without any warning and that's it! Power supply is still running but I have to hit the power button for the requisite three seconds to get the beast up and running again, which is obviously not good for it. The crash seems to happen when clicking a link in Thunderbird (obviously to view something in Firefox). I don't think Firefox is already running when it does it, but it's difficult to narrow down the exact circumstances, as it's always a surprise! When I bring Firefox back up again after re-booting, it usually acts as if I've just installed every add-on from scratch, presenting me with umpteen add-on home-page tabs, thanking me for installing them, plus numerous EULA pop-ups and options that have to be sorted and dismissed. The add-ons that have user options (like smooth scrolling, tab-mix plus, etc.), have usually (but not always) reverted to default settings and I have to re-do them all. FF options (home page and downloads location) are also quite often back to defaults. I'm somewhat at a loss how to fault-find this intermittent problem. Any thoughts?

Francais · Joined: Jan 20, 2003 Posts: 209

Sounds pretty unusual that your system would simply crash like that; multiple reasons could be the culprit.
Would help considerably if you mentioned which OS you are running and which versions of Thunderbird and Firefox you've installed. Also a brief mention of your hardware capilities, specifically how much memory you have as well as what type of security software you're running would also help.
Assuming you've installed the latest release versions of Thunderbird (2.0.0.22) and Firefox (3.5) be also nice to know the number and names of the extensions you are running in both programs.
Your issue may well be caused by incorrect file associations. Make sure that Thunderbird is set as your default mail application and that Firefox is set as your default browser.
Post the info requested and we'll work it from there.
Cheers!

bern · Joined: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 1428 Location: ann arbor

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

On just about every tech forum on the internet you will find complaints about add-ons causing problems with FF.
Some are just NOT well written.
And, some are not compatible with every version of FF.
I've even heard of people with 30+ add-ons in FF. Crying or Very sad

To this old tech, that sounds absolutely ridiculous! I think I have three. Rolling Eyes

You might want to try a fresh/clean re-install of FF 3.5 and leave out the add-ons for a while to see if the program runs OK on your PC.
If not, then I'd have to suspect the problem is in the PC itself, not in FF.

But FF aside for a moment, if I have problems with any program, I completely DE-Install it, clean the computer and then RE-Install it.
Several times a year, I have to do that with one program or another.
Many DE-Installs, do not remove the folder and files in "Program Files". I do that manually. So far, that's always worked for me.

Good Luck!

The Doctor Cool

Brit-in-Sweden · Joined: Feb 08, 2009 Posts: 2

Using the recent Firefox versions prior to 3,5, it has crashed on both of my computers on exit. Without fail. Due perhaps to a bug in FF itself. No manner of assistance such as removing add-ons, helped, and Mozilla got the reports tht the failure generated. The laptop had recently been re-loaded from scratch and the minimum number of programs re-loaded, yet the crashing has persisted. Having now passed on to FF V3.5, there is no longer a problem, even though 3.5 was loaded over 3.0.22.
Methinks that FF itself was the culprit, although Mozilla have said nothing. The only thing I can hope for now is that certain add-ins i.e.Norton Internet Security log-in bar, is updateed in order to work with this latest FF.
Whilst FF is far superior to IE, it is not without flaws.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Norton Internet Security?

Ya gotta be kidding me! Twisted Evil

I'd rather have a virus. Rolling Eyes

It would be easier to get rid of. Wink

The most valuable program in my Technicians Kit is
the "Norton Removal Tool".

There's NO reason to spend good money on a resource
hog like Norton, when the best Security Software in the
world, is 100%, absolutely, FREE!

Just a thought,

The Doctor Cool