hello, if the auto-update is failing for whatever reason, you can also manually download the current firefox from getfirefox.com & install it over top of your current version.

How to download and install Firefox on Mac

Your firewall (Windows or 3rd party) may be blocking the auto-update connection.

Before updating to 12, you might research this form and Google and see all the problems with those who did have with 12. If FF thinks what you've got now is a problem, wait until you see what's going on with 12. You can give it a try. If you have problems, go to 11 or 13 Beta. "If it ain't broke - don't fix it."

You can turn off (uncheck) UPDATES under TOOLS, OPTIONS, ADVANCED.

@mikewilson - this is a support forum, here you will find questions by people having problems with each and every version of firefox that got released so this is probably not a good indicator! there have been more than two dozens of security vulnerabilities fixed since firefox 9, so you can regard it as broke & it's highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version.

The OP is on a Mac, so suggestions for Windows won't help.

You may need to trash the current Firefox version in case of problems with updating.

Download a new copy of the Firefox program and save the disk image (dmg) file to the desktop

• Firefox 12.0.x: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html

• Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean (re-)install
• Install the new version that you have downloaded

Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder, so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data if you uninstall and (re)install Firefox.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

madperson - I have FF 9.0.1 and have NONE of the problems that others are having with any version, much less those that started with upgrades to 12 that weren't having the problems before the upgrade if you'll read through the various post. I highly encourage bmould to research the potential problems here and on Google before upgrading to 12 and ending up like those who did. I also offered a suggest if he had problems with 12. If 12FIXED all the problems, I'd hate to see what BROKE looks like after reviewing all the problems with the upgrade from several versions including 11. People solved many by reinstalling 11 or going to 13 so what does that tell you from a trouble-shooting stand point?

FF 12 is like many "updates", including Microsoft patches - they fix one thing and screw up about three more. I have MS Auto-updates turned OFF since I've had this machine and NO computer or security problems. I have other free programs running (firewall and browser) to take care of that. There have been enough known issues with various other plugins and toolbars, this may be the worst of the bunch

I Posted screen shots of my task manager and memory configuration and set ups as an example of no memory leaks, memory management setup and processor operation.

If FF12 is so great, why did the instantly come out with BETA 13 right behind it? If you'll do the research I recommended, it seems to have solved a lot of problems that suddenly developed for those who upgraded to 12.

How do you know how SECURE 12 is? They said that about very version they come out with.

bmould - do what you will, I just suggest you research 12 on this forum an others before upgrading. If you instantly start having problems, know the alternatives IN ADVANCE before you waste a bunch of time on here like others trying to get it to work with your current set up.

I posted some screen shots on here as examples of how FF should look and my settings. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/926100

MikeWilson, there are multiple channels of development as in Release, Beta, Aurora and Nightly. The Fx 9.0 that you think is the best was in Beta testing when Firefox 8.0 was released for example. Since you admit you only started as of Firefox 9.0.1 you are still a pretty new Firefox user.

See:

• http://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/

James,

I don't know if you've seen my other post or not but I've had FF for several months now. I instantly noticed slower performance and more memory problems with 10 and worse with 11 on two different machines so went back to 9. I currently have NONE of the various problems anyone else here has with 12. Seeing all the complaints with 12 is more than enough to convince me to stay with 9 until the get the kinks out of 13.

You can see my settings and setup on here...

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/926100

.....on the same page along with everyone else complaining about upgrades to 12. If I say I don't have problems, I supply the info (Screen shots) to back it up. I have not seen anyone showing a similar set up like mine with 12, just a lot of words.

As far as I'm concerned, if everyone else on here's solutions are so good, why do these people keep on having trouble? Do what you want - I'm out of here - problem free.