Why did my Mozilla browser crash in a why unlike before, and do so repeatedly?

I've been using Mozilla Firefox browser for the better part of the last two decades, having always found it to be the most functional and useful over all competitors, who generally seem more interested in raising revenue or spewing puerile and slanted politics. I've been accustomed to the occasional "crashes" and always provided input when they occurred, convinced that the interruptions would be brief and with any issues resolved. Today was different. Lately, my processor was experiencing some "aging" issues: slowdowns, freezing forcing me to re-start, and random re-starts on its own. Over the weekend I conducted a comprehensive series of diagnostic tests of all features of the operating system. To my relief, the system went back to normal and efficient, including the browser -- for about 2 days. Early today the browser became slow, eventually inactive, and ultimately crashing 7 times. But all these time were different: my input into the "crash warning box" was not permitted and closing the box only resulted with the next crash. All crashes had the same reason posted on their reports: "Crash Reason EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION." When the crashes finally ended, my browser looked totally unlike it did before: (1) ALL of the shortcuts I entered on the home page and relied upon for years VANISHED. (2) ALL of the browser windows and the open tabs I was working through at the time EVAPORATED. (3) ALL extensions I saved and used routinely GONE. By the end of the day, one spent trying to resurrect "my" Mozilla browser with minimal damage, something else disconcerting occurred: the processor's operating system randomly shut and re-started. I don't want to point fingers just yet and allege this was connected with my browser failing, but the coincidence is troubling, one I would recommend looking into. My assistance is, of course, automatic. --Thanks, Steve Saucedo