I don't know why the link above the Google Shopping results wouldn't work. That takes you to the Shopping section, same as clicking the word Shopping below the search box (on the row that says Web Images Shopping Videos, etc.).

Do you use any add-ons targeted at ads or tracking URLs? You could test in Firefox's Safe Mode to see whether that makes any difference. That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
• Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Do the links work any better?

Maybe you have a link cleaner extension? If I right-click > Copy Link Location on the link above the shopping results box I get this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hair+bands&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=qFZhVejxA9HYoATXiYKQDg&ved=0CJIBELMY&biw=1387&bih=671

Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. All these programs have free versions.

Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
  http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
• AdwCleaner:
  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
  http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
• SuperAntispyware:
  http://www.superantispyware.com/
• Microsoft Safety Scanner:
  http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
• Windows Defender:
  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender
• Spybot Search & Destroy:
  http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
• Kasperky Free Security Scan:
  http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan

You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller:
  http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446

See also:

• "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware

jscher2000 Your first post worked. Thank you Paul G

Hi Paul, Firefox's Safe Mode is a handy tool but the issue may return when you exit Firefox and start it up normally. In that case, please review your extensions on the Add-ons page, either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or if obviously unwelcome, remove).

Hi, jscher2000, You were right the problem came back when I exited Firefox. I went to add-ons, updated two files. I'm not sure where I went from there, but I updated Adobe reader and QuickTime. More problems. All the information on the right side of the page is gone when searching for a site, and I was getting "adchoices" popping up. I did a restore, which eliminated the "adchoices", but still have nothing coming up on the right side of the page. Any other suggestions?

Paul G

Hi Paul, it sounds as though you checked the Plugins section of the Add-ons page, but perhaps not the Extensions section. Can you check that one next.