Firefox browser (3.5.2) not responding

Factual Questions
1

I have a Compaq laptop with Vista and run the Firefox browser. I recently downloaded the latest version (3.5.2). Ever since then, when I click on a link or a bookmark to go to a new site, the browser sort-of takes me there, but I can’t do anything when I get there. I can’t scroll down or click on a link or even go to another open tab! I’m just stuck there until Firefox, which tells me “Not responding,” decides to finish doing whatever it’s doing. Often when I click on the scroll bar or another tab, the site goes opaque (as if looking through a filmy covering) and the little “computer computing” icon (here a little circle, not an hourglass) just goes and goes. Eventually it clears up and I can proceed, until I click on something else! Then I get to wait again. It’s making me crazy. I used to be able to open a site and while it was loading, I could go to another tab or site or anywhere else while I waited. No longer.

I’ve searched the Firefox trouble-shooting and cleared my cache and history as it said, but nothing has helped. What the heck is going on here?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

2

I just had some annoying memory issues with the last update, so I haven’t allowed my computer to update to 3.5.2.

I wish I could find it right now, but there’s a general troubleshooting thread in the Firefox forum somewhere that talks about how to change some configuration stuff that will allow it to work more effectively. I’m not at my own computer right now, so I can’t check on the link, but if I remember when I get back tonight, I"ll try to get the link out here for you. We’re expecting Thunderstorms here tonight, so I may not be able to do it until tomorrow.

3

Try a clean install of Ff 3.5.2. Some people are having problems with upgrades (but not me).

4

Go here and do this exactly as directed… Print out so you can do it step by step as directed or open the page on a separate computer. So far as I can see, it has fixed every one of my Firefox complaints…

http://www.tweakguides.com/Firefox_3.html

5

I had to uninstall most of my plug-ins, including the WinAmp toolbar, to get 3.5.2 working w/o constant lockups. It’s working better now, but still has some memory leak issues.

6

I’m using 3.5.2 as a portable app with no problems at all that I can see. Upgraded from whatever previous version I had on my Flash drive (I usually update any time it tells me there’s a new version, so I’m guessing it was 3.5.1).

7

Thank you all. With my husband’s very patient assistance, I uninstalled every single thing even remotely connected with Firefox and then re-installed the 3.5.2. And so far, so great! I will keep my fingers crossed that it continues to work without crapping out again.

I knew I could count on Dopers! Thanks again.

8

I am having exactly this problem on my MacBook: upgraded to Firefox 3.5.2 and it locks up all the time. I didn’t have any plugins installed so I just reverted back to a previous version. All is working currently so I’m inclined to wait a while before attempting to upgrade again - perhaps they will fix something.

9

Glad you got it cleared up. I had thought I’d bookmarked that thread, but after digging around in my bookmarks, I can’t find it. Which bothers me, because it may be handy later on down the road!