Now, is this about Firefox being slow, or Thunderbird being slow (your report says both, so I'm a bit confused).

Some steps you can do in either case:

Run all Windows updates. You may have to run though it several times to make sure you get all the available updates.

Update your graphics Driver.

Update Firefox to version 11. You can do that by either using Firefox's internal updater (read Updating Firefox) or by visiting www.getfirefox.com to download a fresh copy.

I note mention of BT broadband in the system info aside. So obviously you are not using a slow dial-up system.

As you have already found some malware I suggest you continue looking into that, see

• is my firefox problem a result of malware
• and as suggested action /questions/914980#answer-302372

Have a look at

• firefox is slow

If the above article does not lead to a solution try Firefox

• in safe mode <-- clickable link for more info --
  • there is no need to make changes in the first window, just click on continue
  • when in safemode also disable all plugins

Thunderbird has a separate support site, but if your Firefox problem is with the Internet connection or with malware, that may also be affecting Thunderbird.

• see also http://support.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/home

You could also look at

• firefox hangs

and maybe give some indication of the sort of problems you are having now. Does this forum work ok on firefox. Are the problems mainly related to videos or particular sites ?

Sorry - My mistake in original message. Firefox is running very slow. Thunderbird now won't open at all ( possibly because of my attempts to speed up Firefox by updating plug-ins - at least that's when Thunderbird stopped opening!)

John - I have looked at the articles you suggest and tried their solutions including starting Firefox in Safe mode. Nothing has worked so far!

Tyler - I will try your suggestions and get back

I would, after we get Firefox working here, go to the Thunderbird support page, and hopefully the information on that site can help you get it going again.

Now, what plugins did you update? Were these extensions like Add-block plus, etc. Or plugins like Flash, java, etc?

It was Plugins like Flash, Java and Realtime.

I have tried Firefox in Safe mode since with plugins disabled and it hasn't helped. I have also tried, re-enabling them one at a time but this didn't improve anything.

Alright, then let's do this.

Please read about how to create a new profile (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Managing-profiles), and just create an empty one for testing, if it starts fine with tat, then we know this is just an issue of a corrupted profile and we can transfer all your information to the new profile.

Firefox 11 has just been released, give it a try:

Check out the release notes:

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/11.0/releasenotes/

I would suggest uninstalling 10.0.2 via control-panel add/remove programs, your profile will remain intact ok. Then install FF 11. Also best to disable your Anti-Virus application prior to installing FF.

Oooh - creating a new profile seems to have worked! I have also upgraded to Firefox 11 and done Windows updates, but it was all still slow until I did the new profile!

Tyler, that's great, thank you!

Thunderbird still won't open though!

And how do I get my saved bookmarks etc onto the new profile?

I'm glad that worked! if you read Recovering important data from an old profile, it gives a how to on moving your information from your old profile to your new one.

As for thunderbird, please contact Thunderbird support at http://support.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/home.

Done! I've moved my bookmarks and saved passwords ( which is all I really need) and it is still really fast!

Tyler I think I love you!!

I posted on Thunderbird support this morning but no replies as yet!

You guys are the best!