Firefox stall and crash when adding or downloading any files
Firefox will stall and crash after attempting to add or download any kind of files. I have also note that when highlighted the words in the boxes under the top of the screen menus File, Edit, Tools and Help will look like frayed, this will not happen with the menus View, History and Bookmarks where the words are solid and clear. I recently reinstalled Firefox and the program has created a Old Firefox Data in my desktop. The last version I had +/- two years was also having a similar problem plus a total freeze and crash by going to Options, which does not happen anymore.
Firefox 22 Windows XP Media Center Edition SP3
All Replies (20)
EmmanuelF,
You should very definately run the Microsoft Safety Scanner. The link is above in ideato's post. It is very safe to use. I have used it myself. It can take 2 or 3 hours to run. After that you will have new information for ideato.
It should not be of problem having AVG antivirus working at the same time that Windows Defender anti-spyware.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/87260/will-windows-defender-conflict-with-avg/
Isolate reports of issues doesn't create a pattern. I haven't found in Internet warnings against using both simultaneously.
EmmanuelF,
On my computer Windows Defender is antivirus not anti-spyware.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Defender
AntiVirus for Windows 8
AntiSpyware for all the others Windows (except if you have installed Microft Security Essentials in Windows 7 or Vista, then Essentials superseded Defender)
I have Windows XP...
I'll run Microsoft Safety Scanner.
I am sorry. I thought if you have Windows XP you wold have Microsoft Security Essentials not Windows Defender. My mistake. Thank you for helping me understand. I will be watching for more info after your scan.
No problem; I post the scanner results asap.
If you get this in time,bookmark the microsoft safety scanner page. The scanner only works for ten days after that you need to download it again. It will ask if your system is 32 bit or 64 bit.
It is possible that anti-virus software is corrupting downloaded files or is otherwise interfering with downloading files.
Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.
See:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files
- browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone
Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.
Ok MSS results are here...
"The scan completed successfully and no viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software were detected."
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I going to try cor-el suggestions.
EmmanuelF,
Glad to here your scan was clean. It eliminates many possibilities.
cor-el is very experienced and helpful.
Hi cor-el, I disable all the security programs that run in real-time (AVG-Zone Alarm-Windows Defender-Tea Timer from Spybot) and the problem is still there.
Then I did as suggested and turn browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone to false but the problem didn't went away. _________________________________________________________________________________
I now trying to run the program in Safe Mode (with networking) but I'm having some problems with the Intel PROset/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility to get on the internet.
Do you have another browser other than firefox? If you do does it download without problems?
Yes, I can download and upload files in Windows Explorer
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Still trying to work out the problem to get the internet going in Safe Mode (with networking), I already place a question with the Intel Support Community Forum.
The other people who give advice are more experienced than me. When they all leave I am still here. If I had your problem I would try this : Completely remove Firefox do not save any data or bookmarks. Download a new Firefox from www.mozilla.org When you are installing the new firefox do not import any settings from any other browser. BEFORE doing this review your bookmarks and write down the important ones. Your history will be gone also so check it as well. THIS PROCESS IS CALLED A CLEAN INSTALL.
Modified by David241
Hi David, two years ago, when I uninstall Firefox I did a clomplete uninstall, well... obviuosly its wasn't all that clean because when reinstall it that folder with the old configurations pop up in the desktop...
Please provide me with a link to a complete uninstall process. (I'm also going to delete the folder in the desktop).
Thanks!
Thanks, I'll work on this later today.
thank you cor-el
An update. I got Internet back in safe mode (the Intel program did not wanna to do what the Microsoft program was doing so well, so the Intel program when to rest for a while...) and so, I was able to test Firefox...
I got the same problem in Safe Mode. Very interesting, running Firefox in safe mode but under the Admin account will not only stall and crash when downloading but also when clicking in the Options tab. Which did not happen when going into our account in safe mode (download crash). I wanna to post this info because it maybe becomes of help for debuggers...
I would try following the uninstall instructions; do you think is better to do it in Normal or Safe Mode (Admin or our account)?
Hi EmmanuelF,
I read every thing in cor-el's links above, I even printed them. Nowhere did I see anything about doing a clean install in safe mode.Use admin. and regular.
If you can print from the links above for reference.