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Firefox will not display on the screen even though with Process Explorer I see Firefox.exe active but no CPU usage

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  • Last reply by user633449

RabbitDad
RabbitDad
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I use Firefox v10.0.2 as default browser on Dell XPS8300 e/w Intel Core i5 & Windows 7 Ultimate and Compaq Presario CQ57 e/w Intel Core i3 & Windows 7 Home. More frequently on the (about 90% of attempts) than the Dell (50% of attempts) Firefox will not display to the screen when I click on icon. When it happens I cannot display other programs. I specifically say display because I believe Firefox has started. To circumvent the problem I installed Process Explorer on both machines and start this program first then click on Firefox icon. When problem occurs I can see Firefox.exe process in Process list; some CPU consumed but, then, no CPU activity. If I click on Firefox icon again another process opens in Process list but with same response - some CPU consumed and then no CPU activity. If I have 2 processes running and kill the 1st process, the 2nd will display and everything from then on is normal. If I do not open a 2nd process but kill the 1st process then click on Firefox icon Firefox is displayed and everything from then on is normal. This problem has occurred since original installation on both new machines. I've updated video drivers in both machines.

I use Firefox v10.0.2 as default browser on Dell XPS8300 e/w Intel Core i5 & Windows 7 Ultimate and Compaq Presario CQ57 e/w Intel Core i3 & Windows 7 Home. More frequently on the (about 90% of attempts) than the Dell (50% of attempts) Firefox will not display to the screen when I click on icon. When it happens I cannot display other programs. I specifically say display because I believe Firefox has started. To circumvent the problem I installed Process Explorer on both machines and start this program first then click on Firefox icon. When problem occurs I can see Firefox.exe process in Process list; some CPU consumed but, then, no CPU activity. If I click on Firefox icon again another process opens in Process list but with same response - some CPU consumed and then no CPU activity. If I have 2 processes running and kill the 1st process, the 2nd will display and everything from then on is normal. If I do not open a 2nd process but kill the 1st process then click on Firefox icon Firefox is displayed and everything from then on is normal. This problem has occurred since original installation on both new machines. I've updated video drivers in both machines.

Chosen solution

Ok, let's see if we can fix this and get it working for you!

First, if you start Firefox in safe mode (restart your computer first, then when you open Firefox, hold down the shift key) does it start up more reliably? This is usually caused by a faulty add-on. If it does help, then restart Firefox, go into the Firefox button, then add-ons, and disable your extensions one by one until you find the trouble maker.

Also, try updating to Firefox 11, it has several bug fixes that might make life easier here.

Just as a few basic troubleshooting steps to make sure we have all the bases covered, Run all Windows Updates, install all needed service packs, etc.

Update all your plugins (Flash, Java, etc.): http://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/.

Download and Install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, run a full Scan. http://www.malwarebytes.org/. This helps check that there are no viruses on your computer causing issues. you can uninstall this program after you clean off any infections.

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user633449
user633449
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Chosen Solution

Ok, let's see if we can fix this and get it working for you!

First, if you start Firefox in safe mode (restart your computer first, then when you open Firefox, hold down the shift key) does it start up more reliably? This is usually caused by a faulty add-on. If it does help, then restart Firefox, go into the Firefox button, then add-ons, and disable your extensions one by one until you find the trouble maker.

Also, try updating to Firefox 11, it has several bug fixes that might make life easier here.

Just as a few basic troubleshooting steps to make sure we have all the bases covered, Run all Windows Updates, install all needed service packs, etc.

Update all your plugins (Flash, Java, etc.): http://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/.

Download and Install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, run a full Scan. http://www.malwarebytes.org/. This helps check that there are no viruses on your computer causing issues. you can uninstall this program after you clean off any infections.