Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See:

• Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins"

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile (be careful not to copy corrupted files)

See:

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

Cor-el, I've done all these things several times and none has helped the situation. 3.5.19 works perfectly, nothing later does...I just keep trying the new releases to see if by magic a new one works. So far, no go.

I have exactly the same problem. Which bugs me since 3.6.x is released. I also tried deleting profile, clean registry. using mobile version, and even the nightly built v6, nothing works. Only FF v3.5.x works. The freezing occur when you: click file-open, file-save as, tools options, or when download starts. I highly suspect that problem lies elsewhere, stuff like java, flash, or media plugin etc, which extend the browser's function, or things like file type list, or drive list etc. Firefox starting from 3.6.x will access them under some function but failed and loop there forever. I also read some old messages describing the same problem but never lead to some useful hints or solution.

uncpotato, Sorry you have the same problem but glad to hear that I am not alone! If you ever figure it out please let me know...I've tried but couldn't.

I'm also having this issue with the added comlication of being unable to download any files. I tried reverting to V3.6 as described above after deleting V4, profiles, registry entries and all related files but that didn't make any difference. I thought this might be related to a recent malware infetion but that has now been totally cleared so maybe this Firefox issue has just turned up at the same time. Would be great to get it fixed as I like using FF. I have a strong aversion to IE so am using Sea monkey for the time being

You might try FF 3.5.19 for the time being...maybe not the latest and greatest, but it works

I have new findings regarding this long-live mysterious freeze of FireFox when download starts. As mentioned earlier that I suspect that the problem isn't lies with FF alone, but something regarding the system elsewhere. I recently downloaded the new version of Exact Audio Copy, v1.0, replacing v0.99beta which had been working good for a loooong time. But when you click compress with this new version, EAC should pop up the select where-to-save dialog, but like FF, the window never come up. Now EAC will behave exactly like FF, where you can still move the main window, shrink or restore it, but actually become not responding. I suspect that it is the same pitfall that both program fall into. If you have the time, test it, and tell us your experience.

uncpotato,

sorry I  loaded EAC 1.0 and when I click Compress WAVs, I do get a window opening, as I should....It seems to work fine here...unlike FF3.6 etc.

Mystery Solved.! If you still following the thread, here's the good news. Symptom: FF freezes whenever you press tools-options , or File-Open, or File-Save, or when download starts (when a save-to-where window pops up). I had this problem for almost 6 months, can't be cured by making new profile, or even cleaning registry and a re-install. It applies to FF 3.6.X, 4.x, 5.0.1, and also nightly 8.0a (as of today) How my problem is gone: AVG detected a trojan horse generic32.CHE for two of the files here (there are only 3 dll files in this folder) Directory of C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Microsoft 2011/02/24 11:52 PM 39,424 gclgaf40.dll (*) 2011/02/24 11:52 PM 10,752 msxmin40.dll (*) 2011/02/24 11:52 PM 87,552 wiches32.dll

though it doesn't complain on wiches32.dll, but as they carry the same time stamp, I remove them all. After I restart, and start FF, it complains a plugin is needed (which is weired as I visit it every day), which turns out to be JAVA, I reinstall JAVA and the web page is fine again. And after this, the freezing problem is gone. FF5 is fine, nightly 8.0a beta works. (don't have 4.x anymore, guess it will become normal again)

Try it. Good luck.

P.S. if your anti-virus is still sleeping, you may upload msxmin40.dll to kaspersky online file scanner for confirmation. And if you are still feeling unsafe to delete the mentioned file, try rename them with "ren msxmin40.dll msxmin40.xxx" so you may go back when you're in trouble. If you hit into an error renaming or deleting, try boot into safe mode. Finally, just for curiosity, the three dlls comes with a patch program for machete.

I was very excited to get your message...unfortunately I don't have any of those .dlls

I am sorry to hear that my experience doesn't help you directly. I will suggest that you do the following: 1) do a search on the file with name msxmin40.dll, it may reside on other folder. 2) if you are using AVG or Kaspersky, do an update, then a complete scan. If you are not using those two (I know the two will detect it at this moment) do a online scan with other engine, like trendmicro's housecall, bitdefender, pandasecurity, those are on-demand only scanner, but best of all, free of charge and minimal install. (unfortunately kaspersky's service is off) 3.If the above doesnt help, I will do a complete JAVA uninstall, clearing the registry with all traces, and run FF without java for testing. then reinstall it afterwards. Good Luck

I uninstalled JAVA like you suggested and loaded FF5.0.1. I clicked, tools, options and the window opened!! PROGRESS! I closed it and FF wanted to update Flash player. I clicked ok, but it wouldn't download. I went back to tools, options. It opened to the security tab. I could check and uncheck all the boxes, sync, advanced, content and tabs all worked but as soon as I clicked on general or applications, FF freezes and on the next mouse click, I get a not responding message. Guess I have to go back to 3.5.17...the last FF that works for me

Can anyone help??!! Thanks

Many of us are experiencing this same problem. I don't want to turn off any plugins to make Firefox (6.0.2) work either. Have you fixed this and we're not getting the fix? If you haven't fixed it, are you working on it? This is almost frustrating enough to make a person want to use another browser.

Mozilla...are you listening? Please chime in to this and tell us what to do.

Troubleshooting extensions and themes

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20extensions%20and%20themes

Check and tell if its working.