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When banks upgraded a couple of years ago, older computer processors could not access secure sites. To install updates of Firefox that would access these sites, users were required to buy new computers. That done, everything worked correctly. Now its happening again. I cannot access LFG.com (lincoln financial), Verabank (my bank) or Georgetown Utilities. In each, I get some sort of error message, or at Georgetown, the loading wheel just keeps turning.

I am running Windows 7 using an Emachine EL-1333. I don't plan on upgrading my computer or software.

I can log into these sites using Android apps, Android browser, on my phone. I have no problems using Chrome on my PC. I have been using Firefox since it was Netscape and I would rather not be forced to Chrome. Because I have lost most of my eyesight, I use a 30 inch monitor and using the phone is not practical.

When banks upgraded a couple of years ago, older computer processors could not access secure sites. To install updates of Firefox that would access these sites, users were required to buy new computers. That done, everything worked correctly. Now its happening again. I cannot access LFG.com (lincoln financial), Verabank (my bank) or Georgetown Utilities. In each, I get some sort of error message, or at Georgetown, the loading wheel just keeps turning. I am running Windows 7 using an Emachine EL-1333. I don't plan on upgrading my computer or software. I can log into these sites using Android apps, Android browser, on my phone. I have no problems using Chrome on my PC. I have been using Firefox since it was Netscape and I would rather not be forced to Chrome. Because I have lost most of my eyesight, I use a 30 inch monitor and using the phone is not practical.

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bevans1051 said

In each, I get some sort of error message, or at Georgetown, the loading wheel just keeps turning.

What do the error messages say?

If a site is generally known to work in Firefox, these are standard suggestions to try when it stops working normally:

Double-check content blockers: Firefox's Tracking Protection feature, and extensions that counter ads and tracking, may break websites that embed third party content (meaning, from a secondary server).

(A) The shield icon toward the left end of the address bar usually turns a bit purplish when content is blocked. Click the icon to learn more or make an exception. See: Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox for desktop.

(B) Extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix usually provide a toolbar button to manage blocked content in a page. There may or may not be a number on the icon indicating the number of blocked items; you sometimes need to click the button to see what's going on and test whether you need to make an exception for this site.

Cache and Cookies: When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Clear Firefox's Cache

See: How to clear the Firefox cache (only select Cached web content, don't clear all cookies and site data)

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site, click the lock icon at the left end of the address bar. After a moment, a "Clear Cookies and Site Data" button should appear at the bottom. Go ahead and click that. Firefox will ask you to confirm; go ahead and confirm.

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?

Testing in Firefox's Troubleshoot Mode: In this mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, any userChrome.css/userContent.css files, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.) A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

Note: Don't use the Refresh without first reviewing this article to understand what will be deleted: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

Any improvement?