Topic: Firefox keeps freezing - HELP please!

[Squash64]

I installed Firefox a day or two ago and am   was really happy with it......until it started 'freezing'.  If I try to do a google search, the whole thing freezes.  It doesn't happen every time, but when it does it's so annoying.
I am obviously doing something wrong....any ideas anyone?
Thanks.

[BarriedaleNick]

It could be many things Squash although I doubt it is anything you have done.

Is it just Firefox or does it lock the whole machine? You could try an uninstall and reinstall or check here as there does appear to be some known issues.

http://wiki.foresightlinux.org/display/docs/How+to+fix+Firefox+3+freezing+or+heavy+disk+use it is a bit techy thouh!

[RobinOfTheHood]

Which version exactly do you have?

Help - About Mozilla Firefox.

[Flighty]

You're doing nothing wrong as it's something that does happen unfortunately.
I use Firefox and have the same problem occasionally, but still reckon that it's far better than IE.
As to the solution here's what Firefox say about it.

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+hangs

[Squash64]

Thanks for the replies.  I'm glad I am not doing anything wrong.

RobinOfTheHood - I'm using Firefox3.

BarridaleNick - it usually locks whatever site I'm on. A bit annoying if I'm playing a game against the clock.  :(

[lewic]

I suspect the problem may be due to some other software on the PC, such as Norton, Zone Alarm, or anti-spyware software. If three or four programs are trying to scan the same web page, it will take ages to load. Firefox has lots of anti-phishing features built in. Then people install other software which scans everything, not realising they already have something installed that does what is needed. So it freezes up. I have seen many PCs crippled by having too many security programs installed.

Personally have found Internet Explorer much better than Firefox, it seems a bit more intelligent.

[RobinOfTheHood]

Personally have found Internet Explorer much better than Firefox, it seems a bit more intelligent.

Really?  :o :o

I am amazed.

Squash - get the latest version, 3.5.5 as of now.

My usual configuration is Firefox with NoScript and IE Tab (both installable add-ons). This lets you use IE from within Firefox for sites that don't comply with proper web standards (ones that don't display properly in Firefox) and NoScript stops most of the annoying adverts, including the annoying links on this site  ;).

Problems are few and far between for me with this setup.

I agree with LewiC about the probability of other software conflicting, though. What antivirus do you have?

[Phil G]

I used Firefox for a couple of years and suffered the same freezing and crashing problems. The solution for me was to swap over to Opera. I've been using Opera as my main browser for at least three years now and I haven't experienced a single crash. It also has some neat features which make it far faster to use. Like Firefox, it is available for free and is open source. Might be worth trying.

[RobinOfTheHood]

I like Opera, and as you say, it's fast. The Speed Dial is nice as well, but it's the plug-ins for Firefox that make it for me.

[asbean]

I think with Fiirefox 3.5.5 (latest version) the freezing problem has been solved.

[Vanwin]

I wonder how much RAM you have installed, (memory card that you slot inside pc).
Most of the latest ones come with 4 Giga. Games use a lot, and latest versions of Windows also use up a lot, then anti virus suites are terrible for monopolising it.
     The first sign of insufficient memory is the computer freezing. Have you looked into this?