Hello Dipsy982, for me, stay another 2 - 3 days with your current firefox because the new 17.0 version is release in 2 days (see: https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar ) the 16.0 version does not support your 10.8 mac (see : Firefox 16 System Requirements ), the new 17.0 version support it, see : Firefox 17 System Requirements

thank you

Thanks for that - I won't mark my problem as "solved" yet until I have the chance to try your solution but this is encouraging at any rate. Is it reasonable to assume I will get a notification about the new version, or will I need to go to the site to download it?

you can see in http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html when the new version finally release

If you can not update then the better, quickest and safest way is to download and install firefox from the above link. First download then Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean install and then Install the version that you have downloaded.(if you can not update of course)

Also if this happen do not select to remove your personal data, your profile data is stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder, so you won't lose your bookmarks or other personal data.

thanks again

Thanks, ideato - fortunately, the easiest option seems to have worked. When I had the prompt to update, with the usual hang, I went to the Firefox page and downloaded the new 17.0 version and it all seems to have gone quite smoothly and quickly!

you are welcome