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Why does Firefox want to restart in 32-bit mode, on some sites sometimes and sometimes not. ie. Hotmail

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  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu Backhome77

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There are times when I log into some sites, and it won't complete and Firefox is telling me that I need to restart in 32-bit mode to view the site. Does this mean I have to switch my Mac from 64-bit back to 32-bit? Also, why do some sites tell you Firefox needs to restart in 32-bit mode, but only sometimes. Like Hotmail. Sometimes when I log in, I get that message, sometimes I don't. Is this an issue with Firefox or the site?

There are times when I log into some sites, and it won't complete and Firefox is telling me that I need to restart in 32-bit mode to view the site. Does this mean I have to switch my Mac from 64-bit back to 32-bit? Also, why do some sites tell you Firefox needs to restart in 32-bit mode, but only sometimes. Like Hotmail. Sometimes when I log in, I get that message, sometimes I don't. Is this an issue with Firefox or the site?

All Replies (9)

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Add my name to this problem. I have OS X 10.6. Please fix it!!!

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Kills me that after a month of posting my question, your the only one that's replied...but with the same issue. Does Firefox NOT check their support pages?

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By the way, still having those issues.

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On a Mac, Firefox 4 is a 64 bit application.

Not all plugins support 64 bit and if not then you need to start Firefox in 32 bit mode to use that plugin.

  1. Close Firefox
  2. Open the Applications folder in Finder
  3. Right click or control-click the Firefox.app icon
  4. Select "Get Info"
  5. Select or Deselect "Open in 32-bit mode"
  6. Close the "Firefox Info" window
  7. Restart Firefox
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Thanks cor-el, didn't know that's how you switch Firefox to 32-bit mode. That will be very helpful.

I understand about some plugins not being compatible with 64-bit. But in regards to Hotmail (and other sites with similar issues), why would it tell me to start in 32-bit mode at times, and other times it doesn't? Glitch? Tx.

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Silverlight ?

Are you uploading attachments ?

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I do have silverlight installed. You have to if you want to access any MS site. Not uploading attachments. Only happens when I access the sites. But like I said, it happens sometimes, and other times it doesn't. Actually happened yesterday, but before that, hadn't happened in about a couple of weeks. Didn't do anything different.

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Okay. I followed your instructions and switched Firefox to 32-bit mode. And now I'm stuck there. WTH?! There is no apparent way to get back to 64-bit mode. What do I do now?

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I have the same problem. Only in Hotmail, and only at certain times, like trying to save a draft. It's really annoying. I might expect Firefox to have compatibility issues with some smaller websites, but not something like Hotmail.