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Can't do certain things at Ancestry.com since last update for FF in early May 2016

  • 6 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Ancestry.com uses Java and Adobe Flash, plus I must have cookies enabled. I called Ancestry and provided my issues. They checked everything they could on their end, and concluded it was more than likely my browser (FF). They recommended I install "Google Chrome" as their website appears to function best with the Chrome browser. The issues are; when trying to page through online documents provided at Ancestry's website...I can't do it. This has been going on for about two weeks. I cleaned the cache, browser cookies and history. I then made sure Java and Flash were enabled. I restarted with Add-ons diabled. None of these steps helped. I think it's "possible" Ancestry.com hasn't caught up with FF lasted update. (46.0.1) as this is something they tweak on a regular basis with all web browser's. However; I'm more convinced it is, within FF since the last update, as prior to...I didn't have these issues. I'm not sure if video card driver's would have anything to do with the issue...mentioning this because I have terrible sound with YouTube, sounds like it's coming through a tin can. I just now opened IE 11 and everything worked like it's suppose to...no issues. I don't use IE (would delete it if I could) and I really don't want to install "Chrome". I use the "Ghostry" addon, but haven't done anything with that as of yet. I'm thinking maybe this is blocking something I need to enable. I pay a lot of money to use Ancestry's website and researching is very time consuming. Windows 7 Pro_64 bit.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Ancestry.com uses Java and Adobe Flash, plus I must have cookies enabled. I called Ancestry and provided my issues. They checked everything they could on their end, and concluded it was more than likely my browser (FF). They recommended I install "Google Chrome" as their website appears to function best with the Chrome browser. The issues are; when trying to page through online documents provided at Ancestry's website...I can't do it. This has been going on for about two weeks. I cleaned the cache, browser cookies and history. I then made sure Java and Flash were enabled. I restarted with Add-ons diabled. None of these steps helped. I think it's "possible" Ancestry.com hasn't caught up with FF lasted update. (46.0.1) as this is something they tweak on a regular basis with all web browser's. However; I'm more convinced it is, within FF since the last update, as prior to...I didn't have these issues. I'm not sure if video card driver's would have anything to do with the issue...mentioning this because I have terrible sound with YouTube, sounds like it's coming through a tin can. I just now opened IE 11 and everything worked like it's suppose to...no issues. I don't use IE (would delete it if I could) and I really don't want to install "Chrome". I use the "Ghostry" addon, but haven't done anything with that as of yet. I'm thinking maybe this is blocking something I need to enable. I pay a lot of money to use Ancestry's website and researching is very time consuming. Windows 7 Pro_64 bit. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Chosen solution

Please try some standard diagnostic procedures.

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

  • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

SafeMode-Fx35

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (6)

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Chosen Solution

Please try some standard diagnostic procedures.

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

  • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

SafeMode-Fx35

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.

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Issues have been previously linked to the McAfee Site Advisor extension. Try to disable it and see if the problem persists.

http://service.mcafee.com/faqdocument.aspx?id=TS100162 How to uninstall SiteAdvisor

To disable it: Type "about:addons" in the Location bar Find the extension and click on its "Disable" button

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I started with your suggestion "disabling" McAfee Site Advisor. It didn't make a difference. This is an add-on I disabled a number of times and even unchecked it within their software interface, but I keep getting a pop up asking me to enable it. I may just remove it as I use WOT along with it. I was hoping the issue would be as simple as uninstalling or disabling this add-on. Unfortunately not.

Thank you anyway for replying...

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the-edmeister said

Please try some standard diagnostic procedures. Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes). If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:
  • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.
If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:
  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".
SafeMode-Fx35
If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause. To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again. When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.
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Well after two hours I found what the problem was. It wasn't hardware acceleration. I kind of figured I would have to do more work with the add-ons. Had to do all of your suggestions to the very end of the list. The issue was was also (not) present in safe mode. It also wasn't a theme issue. I then proceeded to each instruction after this. I only have 8 add-ons as I try to keep FF as smooth/clean as I can. The issue was the '''Ghostery'" add-on. I've been using it for about 8 years and never noticed any problems. IE didn't have the issue because I never installed Ghostery in any IE version. I'll miss not having Ghostery as I (depending on the website) would look at the bubble and see how many tracker's were being blocked. Sometimes up to 25-30. I disabled it in FF...did not remove it. I'm assuming this is OK, until I feel like trouble shooting and getting some help from their website. Before I posted my issue here yesterday, I did look at Ghostery...opened it and, thought I did what I needed to do... to disable it at Ancestry.com but that didn't help (not sure why).

Thank you for your time and your help...

Modified by Sharp63

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That was very good work. Well Done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem so others will know.

Contact Ghostery support.