See Firefox hangs

Also, try running Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode. If it functions properly in that configuration, then one of your add-ons is the culprit.

I notice a couple of old plugin installations in your system specs too. I'd recommend updating Flash to v10.2.159.1 which also addresses a recently discovered Zero Day exploit. See Adobe releases security update for Flash Player Update via http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Also, go to Windows Control Panel | Java and update that to v1.6.0_24 by clicking the "Update Now" button.

Do you have AVG Safe Search, AVG Linkscanner or McAfee Secure Search installed? All three are problematical and tend to cause Firefox to slow down. These can be disabled in Tools | Add-ons | Extensions.

If the problem persists in spite of taking the above steps, please let us know and we will try to assist you further.

It worked! I followed Xircal's suggestions. I had already updated Flash to the version he suggested, but I hadn't updated Java, so I did that. I was also running McAfee Site Adviser, so I disabled that. Now I am no longer having the hang-up problem. I don't know which add-on was the actual villain, since, for the sake of time, I dealt with both at the same time. My suspicion is that it was the site adviser, since it has to continually check each site for problems. It's too bad, really, since I like having an on-the-go virus check, but the frequent hang-ups were far too debilitating. Thanks Xircal! Great job!

You can check that your plugins are up to date by clicking on this link:-

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/

You're welcome robobo45.

As I tip, I'd recommend you install Adblock Plus: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

When you install it, you get the opportunity to subscribe to "Easylist" which filters out around 11,000 ads and helps pages load faster. So click OK to that one.

Then go to https://adblockplus.org/en/subscriptions , scroll down to the Miscellaneous section at the bottom and then click the "Subscribe" button to "Malware Domains". That will filter out the malware described at: http://www.malwaredomains.com/

As a useful on-the-fly scanner, install this scanner: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/drweb-anti-virus-link-checker/ It allows you to right click a link and have the AV scan it before you go there.

Thanks, you all. I appreciate your tips and advice. Rob

I also have the same problem. I updated everything,and it is still happening. I then disabled alot of plugins and extensions, and it seems to be ok for now.....I will keep you all up-dated if it starts to happen again:) Thank you so much for your suggestions!

firefox not responding at startup, have to wait for it to load, after that its fast then it crashes for no reason. is there a fix yet? rabbit

I did the plug in check and downloaded Firefox V 7. Now it will not open. I rechecked my plugins and they all seem to be updated. I have not tried using safe mode yet.

I might have discovered the solution without starting over with all your places and bookmarks.

Right after i installed 7.0.1 over a week ago,every 10-30 min When i would be watching videos online, it would freeze for 20-30 seconds. Firefox would say ( Not responding) both firefox and the plugin container process would be very large memory files. I tried to go back to Firefox 5.0. No avail it would still freeze.I tried to disable the plugin container . no good. I tried to adjust memory or cache or plugin settings in “about:config”.Nothing fixed it!

I finally discovered why my Firefox 7.01 was periodic hanging fix. It is something to do with some of your personal files. download this this add on and install it https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/

or you can Google "places maintenance Firefox"

After you install the add on, restart Firefox.go to "tools", then "add ons" and then click “extensions” tab ,then click' options" on the "places maintenance" entry. choose "ALL' or just "expire" and hit "execute", then wait until its done., restart Firefox. should be fine then and all my bookmarks, customizations ,settings, and history stays untouched!

After i did this my Firefox did not freeze once for over 3 days straight. Might not work for everyone. I already read thaqt Mozilla is aware of the problem and are working on a fix it in the full version of 8( the 8 beta did not fix the problem for me) . But they said this is a good temporary fix at least,( might be permanent)

For me at least ,Firefox works fine in 7 now. perfect actually.And many people i saw on similar forums had similar problems.

Enjoy. Hope this helped