Firefox - not running issue

[saracen]

I run mozilla firefox on my desk top and laptop.

Over the last couple of months (approx ) FF has started to stop running and most times close its self down.

When it starts to stop running, the firefox icon on the top left corner turns into a white square.

Also when i double click the icon on the desk top to restart it, i ofter get a message saying firefox is already running, so its a case of opening windows task manager, finding FF in processes then ending task.


Why FF has started doing this i just cant find the reason. I use FF version 3.0.5. It updates its self when new updates become available.


Not forgetting this happens on both my lappy and desk top comp, is this happening to anyone else ?

How can i remedy it ? ( i prefer FF to IE )


Thanks.

[david_123]

not still, hope not in the future

[saracen]

not still, hope not in the future


indeed, thanks for your intricate analysis and remedy :|

[Comspec]

Keith, the first thing I'd try is uninstalling and reinstalling it. download the latest version to install.

If this does not work, then it is something else which is causing the problem. Does IE work ok?

[saracen]

Hiya,

Yes IE works, although it does freeze for a few secs now and again, for example once an hour. the cpu usage goes to 100% when this happens.

As with FF, it doesnt always shut down, it has similar traits like IE as mentioned above.


Really weird coz both my computers do the exact same thing which ever one im using at the time. I could understand it if it was only one of them.

I've ran virus checker, ad aware, defraged, infact everything i can.
I've not uninstalled FF as i have many bookmarks and im worried incase i lose them.

[FelixSilver]

Hi Keith,

There could be at least 3 issues:

1. Firefox
You can save your bookmarks: Bookmarks > Organise Bookmarks > import & backup > Backup and Export as HTML.

To be doubly sure of a backup, save both the backup (.json) & export (html). Then to check bookmarks saved Ok, open another browser and restore from the file you've just saved.

Clear cache. Uninstall FF. Reboot. Re-install. (Import bookmarks)
I run FF 3.0.5 as well with no problems.

2. Network / Internet connection
Presumably both your PC's are on the same network or internet connection? Could there be a problem with your ISP at certain times of the month?

3. Firewall
Have you tried disabling your firewall when problem arises?

What operating system do you have?

[saracen]

Hi felixsilver

I run a netgear hub, my desk top is hard wired, lappy is wireless.

It's the desk top which gives the most difficulty. Im now thinking it could be my A/V Nod 32. I've never had probs with it in the past but it updates regularly altho not as regular as FF stops running.

I use sygate fire wall, never had prob in the past with that either.

It must boil down to something i've downloaded on both comps. I use daily a live stream stock market data software wich is Java driven, however, even when the software is shut down FF still goes freezes.

Im baffled, but will try reinstalling FF tomorrow.

[Subbynet]

Ok lets get back to basics...

Whats the spec of the machine? What have you got running? How many firefox extensions? etc etc etc

When it starts to stop running, the firefox icon on the top left corner turns into a white square.

This indicates to me that its fairly possible you're running out of memory, and your system is probably having to store this info to disk (Virtual Memory), which itself is slower than writing to RAM. This could also explain the delay in shutting down Firefox.

[saracen]

Hi subby.

You could be right regarding the ram now you mention it. About a couple or 3 weeks back a pop up message appeared down in the righthand side tool bar with a yellow warning triangle, said not enough memory.

My desktop only has 512 ram.


That will be the problem by the sounds of it.
The extensions i have running with FF is the linkage one. Will check for defo tmoz as im on the lap top just now.

[FelixSilver]

The problem could also be incompatible extensions between FF versions 2 & 3.
1. Start Firefox in safe mode[Start->All Programs->Mozilla Firefox->Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)]
2. Disable all plugins and extensions. If this doesn't work, try uninstalling them.

Another option is you could report it to Mozilla about this crash so they can fix it. (Include the address of the page FF was on)

If its memory, you may need to buy some more compatible memory for your PC.

[Subbynet]

Hi subby.

You could be right regarding the ram now you mention it. About a couple or 3 weeks back a pop up message appeared down in the righthand side tool bar with a yellow warning triangle, said not enough memory.

My desktop only has 512 ram.


That will be the problem by the sounds of it.
The extensions i have running with FF is the linkage one. Will check for defo tmoz as im on the lap top just now.

Hi,

Yep this is a warning about Windows increasing your Virtual Memory, so this suggests your PC is running at roughly full capacity, and its having to dip into the reserve "Virtual memory" to accommodate your needs.

Ideally, its time to upgrade your RAM, but for a temp measure you can look to stop any running applications which arn't really required.

Start > Run > type msconfig [Enter]

Look at the Startup and Services tab, edit as required.

[saracen]

Felixsilver,

thanks, will try that also. I've just disabled some plugins on my lap top i dont use, infact i didnt even realise i had these running.

Will do the same on my desk top tomorrow,

[saracen]

I may have found the culprit which has been causing me grief.

After disabling most of my FF plugins one by one seeing if there was any difference until the last one i disabled, which has appeared to remedy the problem.

Fingers crossed as its early days but i've put this old comp through its paces and it holding up well.

The plug in which my comp doesnt like is....Microsoft DRM - DRM store Netscape plugin.

whatever it's for i have know idea but it seems to have been the cause.

Heres hoping.

[ozbon]

Ah, glad you've found the issue.

The other thing that *might* be slowing things down is if you've got a whole bundle of plugins, and the anti-virus is running an "on-demand" scan. I've found before that some plugins (particularly email checkers and things like you're describing, this DRM thing) run almost as applications in their own right, and thus get on-access scanned every time they run.

Because I'm pretty aware/paranoid on virus/trojan/whatever issues, I tend to not run the on-demand scan as a default, because I find it slows things down significantly. A full scan every day (particularly if run at some bizarre hour of the day/night) keeps things clear, and so long as you don't open random attachments etc., you should be OK without needing the on-access scanning.

[ozbon]

Oh - I forgot to say - regarding worrying about not saving bookmarks etc.

Look at the FoxMarks extension - it allows you to backup and synchronise bookmarks between machines, and in my (oh so humble) opinion is flummin' great. I can save a bookmark on my PC in the client's office, and have that same bookmark accessible to me when I go home.

It'll also sync passwords etc. if you want it to - again, useful if you're working on multiple sites. Absolutely superb.

[FelixSilver]

..The plug in which my comp doesnt like is....Microsoft DRM - DRM store Netscape plugin...

Unfortunately DRM does not stand for "Disaster Recovery Manual" !

Its actually an acronym for "Digital Rights Management". The plug-in's for websites that require Windows Media Player (e.g. embedded video)
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Windows_Media_Player#Restoring_the_standard_plugin

Let us know how you get on.

[saracen]

Update....

FF has started causing the exact same problems again. I can be browsing a site then the FF icon turns into a white square with a blue border and i can hear the HDD churning, the pointer turns into an hour glass and i have to wait, approx 20 to 30 secs for it to return to normal.

This is all after disabling plug-ins etc......


I have now reverted back to using IE to see if any difference. It works fine -but- it freezes for approx 3 secs occassionally and away it goes again. When this happens i can hear the HDD churning away as if the computer is doing something.

It must be the RAM working to the max thats causing the issue.
It only has 512 stick. Not a lot nowadays.


Either that..........then i have not a scooby. :|


Keith.

[ozbon]

I'd say it was down virtual memory etc. then - virtual memory runs on the hard disk, which is significantly slower than RAM, so it affects performance. If it's doing a lot of use of the swapfile between RAM and HDD then yeah, you'll get something like what you describe.

How many tabs have you got open in FF when it starts wheezing? What other applications?

Use task manager (in XP Pro either right click on the task bar and select task manager, or use Ctrl-Alt-Del once, and select task manager from there) and look at the "Performance" tab. You'll be able to see there if memory and/or page-file usage is excessive.

If it is the RAM/Virtual Memory, you can make some tweaks by right-clicking on "My Computer" and going to properties. Under the "Advanced" tab you can make performance changes (under 'Advanced' again) to the size of the swapfile etc. But in general I'd recommend buying another stick or two of memory, upping it to at least 1Gb and possibly 2, depending on what's available for your system.

[fisicx]

Just a thought, when was the last time you cleared out your cache/cookies/history?

[FelixSilver]

Agree with others, it looks like a RAM issue.

To help diagnose:

With Firefox or IE running, (when you are experiencing a slow down in performance), start Task Manager. In the Processes tab:
1. What do the CPU & Mem Usage columns say for the browser?
2. In the Performance tab, what's the CPU usage? (If its close to 100% & you see a solid green rectangle, then its likely you don't have enough RAM, and you may need to upgrade)

In the meantime, agree with above on improving performace, by stopping processes that you no longer need (uncheck options that you don't need):
Start > Run > msconfig > Services & Startup

Good luck.

[saracen]

Hi folks, thanks again for your replies.

I've cleaned out cookies, temp files etc, also ran adaware scan and virus scan so i know its running clean and disabled start up progs which i dont need when booting up.

But, the problem still persists. I have the task manager open to keep an eye on things. The issue occurs mostly when running java software which i need daily, i do have upto 5 tabs open on the window as i need them.

If i leave the comp dormant for say - 10 mins, by the time i come back the FF or IE window has closed it's self down although it can do this while i browsing.

It has to be the RAM. Basically im running the comp flat out on little ram so realistically it's a bit like Jeremy Clarkson running the london marathon within 3 hrs while wearing deep sea diver boots and chain smoking. It just aint gonna happen.


Thanks to all for your advice. Much appreciated.

Keith.