Perhaps you have a download to your floppy drive still saved in Downloads history. Upon launch Firefox will check that previously used "containing folders" for saved download history are available to use again. Not sure why that would happen when closing Firefox if a download is complete.

To stop that check, try clearing your Downloads History.

nocomis11 said

I am using Firefox version 66.0.5 (32-bit) in Windows 7. The program access the floppy drive when opening and closing without being asked to. Why does it do this?

Hmm. Seems like FF is Caching to your Floppy instead of the C: Drive. A change in your computer setup?

Is your computer setup to Boot and first look for Drive C: or the Floppy? A change in the Boot order? Did you do an install of FF from the Floppy Drive?

Something related to one of the Extensions?

~Pj

the-edmeister said

Perhaps you have a download to your floppy drive still saved in Downloads history. Upon launch Firefox will check that previously used "containing folders" for saved download history are available to use again. Not sure why that would happen when closing Firefox if a download is complete. To stop that check, try clearing your Downloads History.

I have never used the floppy drive on this computer.

Pj: The setup boot goes to the hard drive first (C), then a USB or CD-ROM. The floppy drive is the last entry so it would seem that it would boot before getting to the floppy drive. I have never installed anything from the floppy drive. The down load history for FF is empty. There are two extensions listed: Avast online security and McAfee web advisor.

I do not think this problem exists only with FF as it will occur up to 15 times during loading. It did not do this last year so it might be related to updates in other programs.

nocomis11 said

the-edmeister said

Perhaps you have a download to your floppy drive still saved in Downloads history. Upon launch Firefox will check that previously used "containing folders" for saved download history are available to use again. Not sure why that would happen when closing Firefox if a download is complete. To stop that check, try clearing your Downloads History.

I have never used the floppy drive on this computer.

Does that computer have a Floppy drive physically?

This computer does have a physical floppy drive.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link}

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

I started FF and refreshed the program: the floppy drive was accessed when I started FF but not on closing. I then restarted FF in safe mode and it did not access the floppy.

I then enabled the two add-ons (McAfee and Avast). The Avast program accesses the floppy upon opening, and under the help section it also does it on 'help', 'forums', and 'tech support.' And again at closing.

nocomis11 said

I started FF and refreshed the program: the floppy drive was accessed when I started FF but not on closing. I then restarted FF in safe mode and it did not access the floppy. I then enabled the two add-ons (McAfee and Avast). The Avast program accesses the floppy upon opening, and under the help section it also does it on 'help', 'forums', and 'tech support.' And again at closing.

Here's the problem dueling A/V will cause more problems then it helps and it could be those are trying to access a floppy drive if it exists causing loading issues. So the problem isn't the Browser but your A/V that is the cause of it.

WestEnd: I placed Avast in passive mode and nearly all the problems with the floppy drive have ended. There are still a few times that it happens but much better.