The default of the pref network.http.max-connections has been increased from 30 to 256 in Firefox 6+ versions.

You can try to decrease the value of the pref network.http.max-connections from 255 to a more modest setting like 30 as used in Firefox 3 versions.

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+never+finishes+loading+certain+websites

Dear cor-el,

Thank you for your suggestion. It is sophisticated and sounds right. As you advised, I did reduce the network connections to 30.

But this solution did not work. It still takes 10-20 minutes for those 2 websites to show up.

I also ran sfc /scannow, chkdsk, cleanmgr.exe, malwarebytes antimalware, windows registry cleaner, and defragmented my drive.

Doing all of those things is why it's taken me a while to contact you again.

Additionally I reluctantly opened IE, which quickly downloaded both the NYTimes and the Washington Post links.

And before trying your good suggestion I had run Ff in Safe Mode as well.

Do you have any other ideas against these pesky problems?

In appreciation and still hoping for a solution-- marlem388

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting#w_8-make-a-new-profile

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.

See:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

You will have to redo the network.http.max-connections pref change in the new profile.

A possible cause is security software (firewall) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Server+not+found
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firewalls

Hi, cor-el,

Thank you again for your continued help. I'm going to call this solved-- though it's not completely solved--because you have been so persistent with your assistance.

I looked at the links you provided. After noting how involved and time-consuming Creating a New Profile would be--having already spent considerable time going through all my add-ons, checking and rechecking security settings, spyware & malware, etc.--I decided not to snail through that process.

What I did do was reconfigure my firewall (first deleted Firefox.exe, then added it to the sites allowed through my firewall). ...That did have an effect on the movie reviews at NYTimes! But it had no effect on those at Washington Post.

So if I want to read the Washington Post I'll just have to open IE for that one site. --Or just forget the site.

My reaction to all the time I've spent (and that you too have spent) dealing with these little problems is a waste of sense and energy. --In my estimate a PC should be like a refrigerator: you plug it in and it runs with no or very little tweaking and resetting!

Again, thank you for your diligence. marlem388