what kind of security software are you using does it offer some sort of sandboxing or browser control features? try to make sure that firefox isn't blocked by it, you can also try removing all rules/settings regarding firefox and the plugin-container and let the software detect it again.

I'm not using anything I'm aware of, at least nothing that would block me from accessing the kind of random settings to which I've referred. Also, I don't have these same problems in other browsers, meaning, no problems downloading or uploading attachments.

I've literally tried everything I can think of or that's been suggested here, and I'm wondering if it's not some kind of registry setting I have yet to discover. I honestly don't know what it could be.

And just for the record, I also tried FF12 in portable mode, and the same thing happened.

could you do a scan with hijackthis & post the log back here... http://sourceforge.net/projects/hjt/

I keep trying to post the log file, but even when I enter manual returns, it comes out as one long paragraph.

I have viewed the results you requested several times and didn't notice anything suspicious, or that didn't exist before these issues began.

hello, i got the intact logfile per e-mail notfifcation. it all seems fairly normal except the connection settings

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = socks=127.0.0.1:4021 R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = local

this indicates that webtraffic is routed through a program on your computer, that might alter/block/filter content. it could be of good nature like an anonymizer or child safety filter you're using, but if you can't be sure that this setting is there intentionally i'd recommend you fix/remove it. also make sure that firefox is connected directly to the internet. (in case you can access it) set it to "no proxy" in tools > options > advanced > network - connection...

you might also want to download the free utility from www.malwarebytes.org and do a full scan on your system.

I did notice those, and wondered if those would show up due to my using a wireless internet connection on my desktop at home. Whatever the case, I'll definitely look into it.

I do have malwarebytes and ran it a day or two ago and found nothing after a quick scan. I'll do a full one, though, and respond again.

Like SportsFlorida, I cannot save/attach/upload/download anything while in Firefox 13.0, nor can I access the Tools/Options feature.....have created a new profile and deleted the MRU settings as he was instructed to in another thread, as well as accessed my Internet Options (through the Control Panel) and removed a previous dial-up default server from the list (only one in it) and checked my LAN settings - no proxy indicated.....already uninstalled and reinstalled FF13 4 times as well as both Flash and Java.....have AVAST! for my firewall but no clarity as to whether I need to reconfigure it somehow for Firefox; not one of the options provided in the Mozilla tutorial.....this is a really frustrating set of circumstances that has hobbled me (have to do all my downloads, etc. on IE8) and I'm stumped as to what could have triggered it about a month ago, but my suspicion is that there wasn't a problem before upgrading to 13.0.....please advise as to how I might proceed next?