Firefox 3 suddenly disappears on Windows Vista
20
people have this problem
I have this problem, too!
Tell me when someone solves it.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The company marked this problem solved.
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Inappropriate?Overheard from a Twitter post by
firefox_answers

@myssy Firefox 3 crashing frequently is abnormal and probably an add-on issue. Try selectively disabling add-ons to find the culprit.
Overheard from a Twitter post by
myssy

Kind of disappointed in Firefox 3. Not running any add-ons but it just disappears on its own. Running Vista. Anyone else with this problem?
Overheard from a Twitter post by
myssy

@firefox_answers Disabled all add-ons and FF 3 still just disappears randomly while typing/opening link/tab. Using Win Vista. Ideas?
Overheard from a Twitter post by
firefox_answers

@myssy Silverlight and Flash plug-ins are the next most likely crashers for Firefox. Disable at Tools->Add-ons->Plug-ins tab.
Overheard from a Twitter post by
myssy

@firefox_answers Flash is disabled, still happens :( Nothing else enabled (even disabled Java!). "Mozilla Default Plugin" only enabled.
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Inappropriate?I have actually heard of this a few times (very few! Like, maybe twice), but I've never actually seen a solution. I'm letting others who might know a bit more about the question. In the meantime, I will ask if you perhaps had multiple versions of firefox installed at one time? I hear that can be an issue.
If you hadn't said you'd disabled Java, I would mention that Java can be an issue causing this, actually. If it's fully disabled, this test won't work. -
Thomas - make that 3. I have the same problem with FF 3 running Vista. FF 3 disappears, no crash report, no longer in task manager. -
Inappropriate?Myssy here - I'm only running FF 3.0 - I updated it on download day (yay!) but because it keeps on happening, I have gone ahead and re-enabled flash and java because the 'net is rather blah without those two. Thankfully FF does remember everything I last had open, so it's more of an annoyance now than something that massively interferes (though it would be nice if it didn't happen at all!). Of note, a buddy of mine running Win2k (I run Vista) says FF 3.0 is super-stable for him as prior versions always caused him to crash. I'm thinking it's a Vista-related issue. It would be interesting to see if others experiencing this problem with FF 3.0 are also running Vista. (Note: my Vista is up to date as Windows does its own updates, in case that helps).
I’m hoping it will cure itself.
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Inappropriate?Hey myssy!
Hi my name is Myles and I volunteer at Live Chat, http://support.mozilla.com/chat
I was wondering if you could answer some questions about your problem.
1) Does it crash or disappear?
2) Does it show up in the task manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete / Process Tab) when Firefox closes?
3) When did this start happening?
4) Did you install or update anything when this started?
5) Any anti-virus, firewall, or security programs installed?
6) Did this happen with 2.0.0.14?
7) Are you running any special programs that alter the way Vista looks or feels? i.e. a tab bar, a dock, anything at all.
I’m hopefull that we can solve this problem.
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Inappropriate?Hi Myles,
1) It disappears, without warning. It has crashed on me several times but on those occasions I will get the Feedback Agent and send my info that way; but when it simply disappears I don't get anything, it just goes away.
2) Next time it disappears, I will check Task Manager. I have always just been re-starting it so I never checked.
3) It started happening within 45 minutes to an hour after first install/use of FF 3.
4) It didn't happen before installation of FF 3.0; and at the time there were several extensions installed, including Meebo (the latest), PDF Download, i-lighter extension, Twitbin; and several add-ons enabled: Adobe Acrobat, Google Gadget Plugin, Shockwave Flash, and VLC Multimedia Plugin. (RealNetworks Rhapsody Player Engine was also installed but never enabled, as I don't use that). With the exception of Java and Flash (and Mozilla Default Plug-in) these are all still disabled.
5) I use Trend Micro Antivirus and no firewall / security programs.
6) This did not happen with any earlier versions of Firefox.
7) I use Vista Sidebar running the clock, Slideshow, Feed Headlines, Weather, Calendar, and also a third-party gadget for it, Twadget. These were all running with the earlier version of FF which was installed.
Note that I tend to notice it happening most when I'm using Gmail.
Thanks so much for your help!
I’m pretty content to have someone helping me out one-on-one with this!
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Inappropriate?Thanks so much for the info.
There was a few things that jumped out at me.
1) RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin disable it, it is no good. Also disable it in Realplayer, go Tools -> Preferences -> Download & Recording and uncheck "Enable Web downloading and recording".
2)Try safe mode. Safe Mode is a special way of running Firefox that temporarily disables extensions, themes and toolbar changes. Full safe mode instructions are at http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode.
3) Make sure Trend Micro Antivirus isn't flagging Firefox as a virus and it up-to-date.
Hope this works!
--
Firefox support can be found in the form of a knowledge base, you can ask a question at support.mozilla.com, visit our chat room at irc.mozilla.org #firefox, or just post here at Get Satisfaction.
I’m glad that we're all glad!
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Inappropriate?hi!
1) I don't use RealPlayer so I don't even know why that plugin was there, but it wasn't enabled, anyway.
2) I haven't tried safe mode yet. What will it do for me that hasn't already been done by my disabling all Add-ons and Extensions?
3) Trend Micro Antivirus hasn't flagged FF - I just went through and checked all of Trend's settings and logs, and nothing exists for firefox. Just cookie deletion!
4) Oh, wait, there's not a 4 yet, but I'm making one. It's happened several times since my last post; tonight it happened while I was simply *viewing* a webpage, I hadn't clicked on anything and nothing additional was loading. It just vanished. Note also it happens whether I have one or 21 tabs open at once.
I’m glad that FF 3.0 at least saves prior sessions!
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2) Safe mode super confirms it. There can be "invisible" add ons, and it is also a quicker way to test things than disabling everything. If you crash with safe mode on, it is easier to file a bug as developers are certain nothing was accidentally overlooked. -
Inappropriate?Oh, yeah -- it also appears to happen a lot when I'm hovering over a tab that I'm switching to. (It just happened -- it's happened 3 times so far tonight).
I’m content that someone cares.
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Inappropriate?Does it appear in the task manager after disappearing?
What do you normally do when it disappears?
Does it show in the taskbar after disappearing?
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Inappropriate?Phew, I finally remembered to check Task Manager. Here are the results.
1) it doesn't appear in Task Manager after it suddenly disappears without warning. There are no listings for "FireFox" nor "Mozilla" nor anything remotely close to that.
2) When it disappears, I just restart FF and tell it to "Restore Previous Session" when the dialogue box comes up telling me that FF closed unexpectedly.
3) It does not show in the task bar after disappearing.
--Melissa
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Inappropriate?ok, its appears you are having a crash.
This is important. Did you look under the applications tab or the process tab? It would not be listed under that applications tab, but it might be under the process tab.
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Inappropriate?You are having a crash, not it disappearing. Do you see the Windows crash reporter or the Mozilla crash Reporter? Did safe mode fix the problem?
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Inappropriate?Hi,
When it crashes, it gives me the Mozilla crash reporter. The disappearing is just that -- no crash report, no Windows crash report. The only thing that happens is that when I restart FF after it just disappears, I get the "Firefox didn't close properly. . . " where I get to choose whether I want to reload my session (which I always do because I am always in the middle of something or some page when I get the disappearance act).
I tried safe mode and I couldn't tell I was running in safe mode, if that makes sense. The first time I tried it, I was expecting it to say "Safe Mode" across the window title or something, but did not. I will try Safe Mode more often (it's difficult because I require Flash to run frequently-used browser apps!).
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Flash, eh? Can you go to about:plugins, Ctrl+F Flash, and give the version number? -
Flash is 9.0 r115. -
Flash should be 9.0 r124, try to upgrade. Since you're having issues, uninstall fully (http://ur1.ca/re) then install the latest (http://ur1.ca/rg). That may help. -
Inappropriate?My Firefox window just disappears too, with no warnings or anything. It's obviously crashing as when I restart it asks me if i want to restore my session. I checked the "about Firefox" and it says my version is 2.0.0.15 so is older version than the above user. The time it takes to happen, what page I'm on, and what I'm doing when it disappears seems to be completely random. I have occasionally gotten a true crash with error message, but that's few and far between compared to the disappearances.
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did you try safe mode? (link above) -
Trying it as we speak. Disappearances are completely random though and sometimes go for days without seeing it happen. For Safe Mode startup panel, I'm assuming just doing continue without hitting any of the check boxes is ok. Safe mode is going to be annoying though cause i use adblock to avoid seeing all those pestering advertisements on game sites. -
no, click disable add-ons -
Think it did as I don't have adblock up but will do. -
all you do is check the box and hit continue in safe mode. This will temporarily disable add-ons. -
Check boxes are for making disabling permanent. If i just hit continue in safe mode it does disable them while I'm in safe mode. I double checked by looking at add ons listing. It has a yellow bar at top that says I'm running in safe mode so they are all disabled. -
I tested somethings and you need to check the first box, when starting safe mode. I know it says the add-ons are disable but they are not. And it doesn't disable them in normal Firefox, unless you click make changes and restart, which you should not be doing. You should check the first box, Disable all add-ons, and then hit Continue in safe mode. Please do that. -
Inappropriate?Oh, I also wanted to add that it disappeared whilst running Safe mode today, it was not thereafter running in Task Manager>Processes, and the add-ons were all disabled (in Safe mode) when it happened. . . . .
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Inappropriate?I have the same problem on my Vista laptop. FF3 window just disappears, no process running in task manager, no error report dialog, nothing. Sometimes, when I reopen firefox after it disappears, it hangs and has to be forcibly closed.
FF3 on my two XP machines has been running fine. All three machines (1 vista, 2 xp) have the same add-ons and extensions installed.
I've tried running FF3 in safe-mode, disabling all extensions and add-ons, even reinstalling Firefox, nothing seems to help.
Setup: Vista SP1, AVG antivirus, Windows firewall enabled. -
Can you make sure that AVG is allowing Firefox. -
Josh - I've added Firefox to the exceptions list for AVG antivirus. I've also been poking around in the Windows Event Viewer to see if there are any weird events that might be causing the problem, like memory read/write errors or security policy issues, etc. So far, nothing seems to jump out at me, but I'll check recent events around the next crash and post back any findings. -
Inappropriate?myssy: do you have any anti-virus/firewall/secuirty programs installed? Have you in the past?
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Inappropriate?I run Trend Micro AntiVirus, but not the internet protection version (my firewall is my router itself). I previously checked that Trend Micro Antivirus hadn't flagged FF - I had gone through and checked all of Trend's settings and logs, and nothing existed for FireFox. All Trend appears to do in that regard is eliminate errant cookies.
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Inappropriate?For an added bonus can you please download and run Enum Process. It detects firewalls.http://www.trolly.homepage.t-online.d...
Instructions can be found here, http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/F...
Also, did you update to Firefox 3.0.1. If not go to Help > Check for updates.
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Inappropriate?UPDATE:
I also have no longer had any problem with Firefox disappearing now that I've upgraded to 3.0.1. I wanted to give it some time after upgrading to make sure the problem hasn't kept happening, and it has not! Yay!
I’m thrilled that I am not plagued by this anymore!
1 person says
this solves the problem
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Ditto . . . fixed the problem for me too * shrugs * odd that it seems to have created the problem for other people. -
Inappropriate?I'm running FF 3.0.1, and this happens to me. In Vista, the window just closes without ceremony. No crash report, just a "Firefox quit unexpectedly" dialog on restart. No AV running on this box.
Addons (most up-to-date versions as of 8/6/2008):
Firebug
Flashblock
Scrapbook
Web Developer -
Inappropriate?Hot Pastrami, could you could tell us your Operating System, what extensions you have installed using Extension List Dumper, what kind of stuff you have open in tabs (are they using plugins like Flash or Java), and anything else you think might be relevant, that would be appreciated.
--
Firefox support can be found in the form of a knowledge base, you can ask a question at support.mozilla.com, visit our chat room at irc.mozilla.org #firefox, or just post here at Get Satisfaction. -
Inappropriate?@Eric: My OS is Vista (32-bit Home). My complete list of extensions/addons is listed in my previous message.
As for the stuff open in tabs, it varies greatly. For instance, it occurred today when the only open tab was a page on Wikipedia.org (and no other windows). It happened yesterday when the only tab open was a page from DamnInteresting.com, a site which uses no Flash or Java at all (though it has a bit of JavaScript).
In fact, I haven't used *any* Java stuff yet in FF3 (Java apps are yucky), and my Flashblock addon prevents Flash from loading at all.
Thanks for the reply... hopefully we can find a resolution, since FF3 is otherwise great. -
Inappropriate?Hot Pastrami: No, you did not list your addons. You went to the extensions window, and just typed what you saw. That is a very very incomplete list. See this post for an example of what posting the dumps from Extension List Dumper looks like. Notice how there are not only extensions, but their versions, the list of themes and their versions, and the list of plugins and their versions. Those are all very important and will help determine what may be causing your crashes. Please post the dumps from extension list dumper.
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Inappropriate?Ok, ok... sheesh. I installed the dumpy program, and here's the output:
Application: Firefox 3.0.1 (2008070208)
Operating System: WINNT (x86-msvc)
August 6, 2008
Total number of items: 7
- Extension List Dumper 1.14.1
http://sogame.awardspace.com/
Dumps a list of the installed extensions.
- Firebug 1.2.0b7
http://www.getfirebug.com/
Web Development Evolved.
- Flashblock 1.5.6
http://flashblock.mozdev.org/
Replaces Flash objects with a button you can click to view them.
- Java Console 6.0.04
- Java Console 6.0.05
- ScrapBook 1.3.3.7
http://amb.vis.ne.jp/mozilla/scrapbook/
Helps you to save Web pages and organize the collection.
- Web Developer 1.1.6
http://chrispederick.com/work/web-dev...
Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools.
Thanks! -
Yeah, I was going to edit my post down after re-reading it, but while I get a 15 minute edit window, it sends you the message immediately, so you'd still see the old one in your mailbox. Made it pointless to change the post. -
Inappropriate?Oh, I see now that it has three different parts... here's the other stuff:
Application: Firefox 3.0.1 (2008070208)
Operating System: WINNT (x86-msvc)
- Default 3.0.1
The default theme.
Application: Firefox 3.0.1 (2008070208)
Operating System: WINNT (x86-msvc)
- Mozilla Default Plug-in
Default Plug-in
- QuickTime Plug-in 7.5 (861)
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
The QuickTime Plugin allows you to view a wide variety of multimedia content in Web pages. For more information, visit the QuickTime Web site.
- Shockwave Flash
Shockwave Flash 9.0 r124
- Silverlight Plug-In
1.0.30401.0 -
Ooh, silverlight. That causes a lot of crashes, microsoft released an update recently which should resolve it. Get the latest Silverlight 1 here and see if it keeps happening: http://silverlight.net/GetStarted/ - also, let me know if the version number changes by posting your addons again after upgrading, please. -
Inappropriate?My problem is like myssy's but it does not go away with firefox 3.0.1
fiefox 2 --> never problems; firefox 3 --> sudden disappearances with nothing showing in crash manager
i love firefox and strongly dislike msie, but msie7 performs stable and firefox3 keeps shutting down randomly - please help me!
bro. howard
extensions dump is:
Application: Firefox 3.0.1 (2008070208)
Operating System: WINNT (x86-msvc)
August 26, 2008
Total number of items: 31
- Broadband Speed Test and Diagnostics 1.1
speedtest@gotomyhelp.com
http://www.gotomyhelp.com
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Test speed of your broadband connections and provide troubleshooting
- Clear Cache Button 0.7
{563e4790-7e70-11da-a72b-0800200c9a66}
http://clearcachebutton.mozdev.org
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Adds a clear cache toolbar button
- Clipmarks 3.5.0
{e1170235-2845-420c-acc3-42261a29dd46}
http://clipmarks.com/
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Clip and save just the stuff you want from any web page.
- ColorZilla 2.0
{6AC85730-7D0F-4de0-B3FA-21142DD85326}
http://www.colorzilla.com/
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Advanced Eyedropper, ColorPicker, Page Zoomer and other colorful goodies
- CSSViewer 1.0.3
{8be51513-0433-45c1-9203-7b45019df871}
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
A simple CSS property viewer
- DownloadHelper 3.2
{b9db16a4-6edc-47ec-a1f4-b86292ed211d}
http://www.downloadhelper.net
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Download videos and images from many sites
- Extension List Dumper 1.14.1
extensionlistdumper@sogame.cat
http://sogame.awardspace.com/
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Dumps a list of the installed extensions.
- Firebug 1.2.0
firebug@software.joehewitt.com
http://www.getfirebug.com/
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Web Development Evolved.
- FireFTP 1.0.2
{a7c6cf7f-112c-4500-a7ea-39801a327e5f}
http://fireftp.mozdev.org
Firefox 3.0 - 3.0.*
FTP Client for Mozilla Firefox.
- FireShot 0.58
{0b457cAA-602d-484a-8fe7-c1d894a011ba}
http://screenshot-program.com/fireshot/
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Adds the ability to take a screenshot of the page, edit it and save, copy to clipboard, send to external editor or e-mail it.
- Forecastfox 0.9.7.7
{0538E3E3-7E9B-4d49-8831-A227C80A7AD3}
http://forecastfox.mozdev.org/
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Get international weather forecasts and display it in any toolbar or statusbar with this highly customizable extension.
- Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer 2.1.0.12
foxmarks@kei.com
http://www.foxmarks.com/
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Synchronizes your bookmarks across machines.
- FoxyTunes 3.0.4
{463F6CA5-EE3C-4be1-B7E6-7FEE11953374}
http://www.foxytunes.com/
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Control any media player from Firefox and more...
- Html Validator 0.8.5.2
{3b56bcc7-54e5-44a2-9b44-66c3ef58c13e}
http://users.skynet.be/mgueury/mozilla/
Firefox 1.0 - 3.0.*
Adds HTML validation to the View Page Source of the browser. The validation is done by Tidy from W3c.
- Image Zoom 0.3.1
{1A2D0EC4-75F5-4c91-89C4-3656F6E44B68}
http://imagezoom.yellowgorilla.net/
Firefox 1.0 - 3.0.*
Adds zoom functionality for images
- Java Console 6.0.05
{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0005-ABCDEFFEDCBA}
Firefox 1.0 - 5.0+
- Java Console 6.0.03
{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0003-ABCDEFFEDCBA}
Firefox 1.0 - 5.0+
- Java Console 6.0.04
{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0004-ABCDEFFEDCBA}
Firefox 1.0 - 5.0+
- Java Console 6.0.07
{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0007-ABCDEFFEDCBA}
Firefox 1.0 - 5.0+
- JavaScript Debugger 0.9.87.4
{f13b157f-b174-47e7-a34d-4815ddfdfeb8}
http://www.hacksrus.com/~ginda/venkman/
Firefox 0.9 - 3.0.*
JavaScript debugger and profiler
- LinkedIn Companion for Firefox 3.1.2
{e2337727-f9c9-411b-929e-287584341d1a}
http://www.linkedin.com
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Accelerate your business and career through LinkedIn
- MeasureIt 0.3.8
{75CEEE46-9B64-46f8-94BF-54012DE155F0}
http://www.kevinfreitas.net/pro/exten...
Firefox 1.0 - 3.0.*
Draw out a ruler to get the pixel width and height of any elements on a webpage.
- PDF Download 2.0.0.0
{37E4D8EA-8BDA-4831-8EA1-89053939A250}
http://www.pdfdownload.org
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Allows you to choose what to do with a PDF file: download it, view it with an external viewer or view it as HTML.
- PicLens 1.8.0.4280
piclens@cooliris.com
http://www.piclens.com/
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Discover More
- POW 0.1.8
{5776FCEA-FDBF-11DA-A132-001321F5C1D9}
http://davidkellogg.com/wiki/Main_Page
Firefox 1.0 - 3.0.*
A personal Web Server
- SeoQuake 2.1.9
{317B5128-0B0B-49b2-B2DB-1E7560E16C74}
http://ff.seoquake.com/
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Quick view of site parameters in the search engine results pages.
- Server Spy 0.1.6
ServerSpy@jacquet.eu.org
http://www.jacquet80.eu/mozilla/exts/...
Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
Indicates what brand of HTTP server runs on the visited site.
- Sothink Web Video Downloader for Firefox 4.4
{FCAB6FDD-5585-425b-95C1-5ED856F3FD08}
http://www.sothinkmedia.com/web-video...
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Catch video files from the Web page.
- Web Developer 1.1.6
{c45c406e-ab73-11d8-be73-000a95be3b12}
http://chrispederick.com/work/web-dev...
Firefox 1.0 - 3.0.*
Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools.
- Wizz RSS News Reader 3.0.0.2
{D5EDC062-A372-4936-B782-BD611DD18D86}
http://www.wizzrss.com/WizzRss.php
Firefox 3.0b5 - 3.0.*
A fairly good RSS and Atom news reader.
- YSlow 0.9.5b2
yslow@yahoo-inc.com
http://developer.yahoo.com/yslow
Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
Make your pages faster with Yahoo!'s performance lint tool.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?Pogo.com won't work with FF3 , Ineed jajv and can't seem to get it.
when I close FF 3 it is gone and havtoo restart too get it back.
I’m sad
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Pogo has known issues with Firefox 3 and we are working on fixing them. -
Inappropriate?Firefox seems to like crashing every now and again. Sometimes when I'm typing, just now when I'm scrolling. It did not remember to restore my tabs :'(.
Windows XP Pro 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.080413-2111 : Service Pack 3)
Application: Firefox 3.0.2 (2008091620)
Operating System: WINNT (x86-msvc)
- All-in-One Sidebar 0.7.6
- British English Dictionary 1.19
- Cooliris 1.8.2.4690
- DownThemAll! 1.0.3
- Extended Statusbar 1.5.3
- Extension List Dumper 1.14.1
- Java Console 6.0.04
- Java Console 6.0.07
- Mouse Gestures Redox 2.0.2
- Nightly Tester Tools 2.0.2
- Taboo 0.5.5
I’m frustrated
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try safe mode, please. http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode -
Inappropriate?Java is causing firefox's unexpected disappearance. I've duplicated the problem on my end by going Tools > Java Console, after choosing Java Console, firefox closes, no crash report whatsoever, reinstalled Java did fixed it for a while but not permenant. After couple weeks, the problem came back unless I disable Java in firefox.
I’m indifferent
1 person says
this solves the problem
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Inappropriate?Done!
I’m thankful this problem has been worked around. Of course now Java is disabled, but my firefox works...
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Inappropriate?as soon as I saw 'vista' I knew your first mistake :)
1 person says
this solves the problem
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Inappropriate?It seems to happen only when I'm typing up lengthy responses to discussion group posts on Facebook ..... WHICH I THEN END UP LOSING TO THE /dev/null
Dear Firefox: please restore form data when restoring tabs after a crash
I’m annoyed behond comprehension
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Inappropriate?If anyone else has this problem (which I hope this person fixed by now) try going to Control Panel|System|Advanced System Settings. The DATA EXECUTION PREVENTION is what has been closing my browser, but it's very annoying since there is no ON and OFF, just ON for essential programs only and ON for all programs EXCEPT those I choose. Good luck
I’m frustrated
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