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Some websites lock up Firefox and Chrome, but not Explorer

  • 7 iimpendulo
  • 1 inayo le ngxaki
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  • Impendulo yokugqibela ngu berndfirefox

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When I search Google news for "Edward Snowden", some clicking on certain websites locks up Firefox, requiring re-booting (Windows 7). Here is one website that caused a complete lockup: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QqQIoADAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dnaindia.com%2Fworld%2F1869429%2Freport-edward-snowden-misses-girlfriend-amidst-outpouring-of-love-from-russian-girls&ei=ann-UaPkBsSptAa_oYHoDQ&usg=AFQjCNHRRYLmGDtn9ZrMt1-CtaHie4oxBw&sig2=Phhb2QB3vkwm0Yt22Ouw1w&bvm=bv.50165853,d.Yms This website also locked up Google Chrome, but surprisingly it it did not lock up Windows Explorer! Will appreciate your help. Bernd R.

When I search Google news for "Edward Snowden", some clicking on certain websites locks up Firefox, requiring re-booting (Windows 7). Here is one website that caused a complete lockup: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QqQIoADAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dnaindia.com%2Fworld%2F1869429%2Freport-edward-snowden-misses-girlfriend-amidst-outpouring-of-love-from-russian-girls&ei=ann-UaPkBsSptAa_oYHoDQ&usg=AFQjCNHRRYLmGDtn9ZrMt1-CtaHie4oxBw&sig2=Phhb2QB3vkwm0Yt22Ouw1w&bvm=bv.50165853,d.Yms This website also locked up Google Chrome, but surprisingly it it did not lock up Windows Explorer! Will appreciate your help. Bernd R.

Isisombulu esikhethiweyo

Hello,

Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration. Since this feature was added to Firefox, it has gradually improved, but there still are a few glitches.

You might need to restart Firefox in order for this to take effect, so save all work first (e.g., mail you are composing, online documents you're editing, etc.).

Then perform these steps:

  • Click the orange Firefox button at the top left, then select the "Options" button, or, if there is no Firefox button at the top, go to Tools > Options.
  • In the Firefox options window click the Advanced tab, then select "General".
  • In the settings list, you should find the Use hardware acceleration when available checkbox. Uncheck this checkbox.
  • Now, restart Firefox and see if the problems persist.

Additionally, please check for updates for your graphics driver by following the steps mentioned in the following Knowledge base articles:

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

Funda le mpendulo kwimeko leyo 👍 2

All Replies (7)

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Isisombululo esiKhethiweyo

Hello,

Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration. Since this feature was added to Firefox, it has gradually improved, but there still are a few glitches.

You might need to restart Firefox in order for this to take effect, so save all work first (e.g., mail you are composing, online documents you're editing, etc.).

Then perform these steps:

  • Click the orange Firefox button at the top left, then select the "Options" button, or, if there is no Firefox button at the top, go to Tools > Options.
  • In the Firefox options window click the Advanced tab, then select "General".
  • In the settings list, you should find the Use hardware acceleration when available checkbox. Uncheck this checkbox.
  • Now, restart Firefox and see if the problems persist.

Additionally, please check for updates for your graphics driver by following the steps mentioned in the following Knowledge base articles:

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

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You can try basic steps like these in case of issues with web pages:

Reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • Hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • Press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the cache and the cookies from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.
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This doesn't answer your question -- the above diagnostics probably will point the way -- but when Firefox stops responding, you may want to try the Windows Task Manager, processes tab, to terminate Firefox so you don't have to completely restart Windows. Call it up using:

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

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Firefox has not locked up again so far, after I disabled hardware acceleration. But time will tell. Will let you know if it happens again. By the way, someone else suggested that I close Firefox on the Task Manager. But when Firefox is locked up, the entire computer is locked up. I can not do anything except force shutdown and re-boot. (Windows-7 Professional, Aspire-One Netbook, 4 MB RAM). Thanks, Berni R

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When Firefox locks up, the entire computer is locked up. I cannot access the Task manger. Mouse, keyboard, nothing works except the Power button. All I can do is press and hold the Power button and then re-boot. Berni R

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So it still locks up berndfirefox?

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Has not locked up since I disabled hardware acceleration. But I have not used it much. Let's call it "Problem Solved" for now. Bernd R