And so at last the beast fell and the unbelievers rejoiced. But all was not lost, for from the ash rose a great bird. The bird gazed down upon the unbelievers and cast fire and thunder upon them. For the beast had been reborn with its strength renewed, and the followers of Mammon cowered in horror.
from The Book of Mozilla, 7:15 Extracts from The Book of Mozilla
Firefox Issues and How to Fix Them:
Most of this information applies to Windows systems
GNU/Linux specific information is near the end.
The majority of this information comes from the many helpful people at the Firefox Support Forum. Thank you all.
Before you post a question in the Firefox Support Forum
Watch "How to Post"
Read How To Ask Questions The Smart Way - MozillaZine Forums
Try to find an answer by reading the Frequently Asked Support Questions
Try Searching the forum (Chances are someone has had the same issue).
Once you find a thread with your problem READ through it.
Don't just post you are having the same problems.
Look through the Mozilla Firefox Knowlege base
A good place to start is Firefox Help: Firefox FAQ
Issues with Firefox - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Firefox Help - Online Help for the Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
Firefox is crashing, how can I fix it?
Can't Connect and/or TimeOut Issues
See Summary of Solutions
Error loading any website - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Configure your FIREWALL to ALLOW Firefox.exe.
An important thing to note: If you have ever have a firewall installed, it is worth checking that it is really gone.
There have been numerous cases reported here where firewalls did not fully, or correctly uninstall, and were the source of problems.
This includes limited time free versions included with a new pc purchase.They do not go away on their own, even if your free period has expired. And worth repeating: Many firewalls also still function somewhat, EVEN WHILE DISABLED.
ZoneAlarm, WindowsXP firewall, and NIS are notorious for blocking web access when disabled.
If you are running WindowsXP SP2 then you have a firewall and it is on by default.
If you want to check, go to your control panel and click on the security center icon.
It will tell you whether your personal firewall is installed and running, and if it's not, the security center will help you do this.
It is important to correctly configure any installed firewall, not just disable it.
Not exactly sure what a Firewall is?
"A personal firewall is traditionally a piece of software installed on an end-user's PC which controls communications to and from the user's PC, permitting or denying communications based on a Security Policy."
If none of the solutions provided work, then please post the following information in the Firefox Support Forum:
* Provide your vendor's distribution and release level.( XP SP2, Win98SE, Linux distro)
* Provide the version of Firefox you are using. Help>About.
* Provide a list of extensions and themes you have installed.
* Describe the research you did to try and understand the problem before you asked the question.
* Describe the diagnostic steps you took to try and pin down the problem yourself before you asked the question.
* Describe any recent changes in your computer or software configuration that might be relevant.
(including OS or Firefox updates, adding extensions or themes,)
* Describe what type of internet connection you use. If you use a Proxy to connect, and your ISP.
* Describe what firewall, av, anti-spy and other similar software you have
* Do other browsers that you have installed such as IE have the same problem? If they do not then the problem is with your FIREWALL.
If you have a broadband connection and you are not using a FIREWALL chances are your system has been compromised.
Your computer can become infected whenever you're connected to the Internet; even if your e-mail program and browser are closed;through attacks against the network stack.
For ways to secure your Windows PC read: Secure your System
For information on how to secure a Linux system a good place to start is:LinuxQuestions.org - Security references
Several Web-based vulnerability tests can tell you how well protected you are:
Shields Up
PC Flank
Sygate Tests
Run one of these and you'll see why you need to insert a firewall between yourself and the Internet.
Other Common Problems:
Firefox Freezing Causes:
Freezing -> Prescott Pentium 4 Hyperthreading?
Hyperthreading P4 causing Firefox to Freeze:
On some systems with an Hyper Threading CPU (Pentium 4 for example), Firefox will freeze.
This workaround is recommended:
1.When Firefox is started,launch the Windows Task Manager (press CTRL+ALT+DEL,
or right click the clock display on the Windows Taskbar and select Task Manager)
2.Select the process tab
3.Locate and right-click on the Firefox process
4.Select the set affinity option from the popup menu
5.Uncheck CPU 1 and validate with OK.
6.You can go back to Firefox.
It is essential to change this affinity setting before loading Firefox.
If that fixes your problems temporarily, then you need to download
ImageCFG.exe
Quit firefox and copy imagecfg to C:\WINDOWS\system32. Open up a cmd window and type:
imagecfg -u 0x1 "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" then
imagecfg -a 0x1 "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
this should allow firefox to retain its processor affinity.
Another workaround is to completely disable Hyper Threading from your motherboard BIOS settings.
Make sure to consult your motherboard user's manual to change its settings.
MS Antispyware has been a culprit known to cause Firefox to freeze.
Several AV programs including McCaffey Antivirus and TrendMicro Safe AV have been known to cause problems with Firefox.
Misc. Tips/Problems
Blocking Popups
Pop-ups not blocked - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Secure your System Gives detailed information on blocking popups and ways to secure your Windows PC
Firefox won't Start
Browser will not start up
Lost Bookmarks
"All Bookmarks are gone" -Bring them back!
Backup Your Bookmarks and Profile
It is a good idea to backup your Profile/Bookmarks using the
Bookmark Backup Extension
A Listing of Firefox bookmark backup extensions and utilities
It is also a good idea to store a copy on a cd, floppy,flashdrive or online.
You can also
Synchronize bookmarks between Browsers
Freezing during Downloading file:
Tools>Options>Privacy>Download Manager History and click "clear". After that, select the option,
"Remove files from the Download Manager upon successful download"
Speed up Firefox
User.js - Speed, Speed up Firefox
Tweak Network Setting extension
On a GNU/Linux system you can use prelink to decrease the start-up time of Firefox.
How to block content, parental controls, Surf anonymously:
"A parent's guide to Linux Web filtering"
Parental controls
DansGuardian - True Web Content Filtering for All
HOWTO Parental Control, Content Filtering, Surfing Anon - MozillaZine Forums
Safe and Clean Web Surfing
Adblock G. Filter
BlockXXX Firefox Extension
Firefox Extensions - Privacy And Security
Privoxy is a web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, modifying web page content, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious Internet junk.
Quick HOWTO: Controlling Web Access With Squid
Yahoo! Family Resource Center
Internet Blocking and Filtering Software in the Yahoo! Directory
SafeSurf Only works in Windows and IE
Welcome to My Linux ISP
Surf and IM anonymously using Tor and Privoxy
Hacking Firefox for Maximum Performance with Tor
Preventing IP Address Leaks with the NoScript Firefox Extension
Apparently the Block XXX extension is not working with Firefox 1.5, but the Procon extensions does the same thing.
"ProCon is a content filter for the Firefox browser, based on BlockXXX (by Tom Christensen). ProCon filters any type of web pages, but if left on default it limits itself to filter pages containing explicit content automatically, based on the text. ProCon can also censure any single word, and create a WhiteList."
Here are some simple steps to keep unwanted material from whomever:
1) Enable Safesearch on Google and Yahoo Search.
2) Use DansGuardian - True Web Content Filtering for All
3) Use Firefox along with the Procon Extension and the Adblock Plus extension.
4) Use a HOSTS file Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File
5) Read How to block undesirable web sites by filtering key words. For free.
Of course the easiest way is to simply use 3rd party software.
Take a look at:
* http://www.icra.org/
* http://www.netnanny.com
* http://www.cyberpatrol.com/
* http://www.mylinuxisp.com
Some ISPs provide free parental controls. Contact your ISP for more information.
A Great Kids Safe Browser for Younger kids!
Setting Firefox up on a Public Computer
If you are using Firefox as the browser you can disable the menus so users cannot access them.
removing things in context menus
Locking Mozilla Firefox Settings
The simplest way would be to set Firefox up as a Kiosk browser.
There is even an extension for Firefox:
Kiosk Browser [Symbio Technologies] - All Releases
Displays the browser in a locked-down kiosk view. Can be used for various applications such as Internet cafes, schools and libraries.
If you are using KDE in Linux as the desktop there is also a way to set it up in Kiosk mode.
KDE Kiosk Mode HOWTO
Turning off the autoupdates
1) Type about:config in the navagation bar on top.
2) Scroll down to "update_notifications.enabled" and set it to false.
Password Protect Firefox/Thunderbird Profile
ProfilePassword
Firefox Guides on the Web
Mozilla Firefox Cheat Sheet
Mouse Runner's Firefox Guide
Firefox Tweak Guide
Firefox - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Migrating to Mozilla FireFox: the Pros, Cons & Installation
Beginner's Guide to Firefox
Firefox customizations
Teach Firefox A Few New Tricks
the-edmeister's
Firefox informational webpages
Firefox extensions tutorial- How to create Mozilla Firefox extensions
Greasemonkey script to mimic IE embedded media
Rich text editing - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Stylish- Welcome to userstyles.org!
GetMail extension Returns The Mail Button To Firefox 2
CookieSafe
"This extension will allow you to easily control cookie permissions, returning the 3rd party cookie block option for Firefox 2.0"
Setting Your Default Browser
Troubleshooting Firefox Crashes
If nothing seems to work try following the steps in the:
Standard diagnostic
Having problems with extensions not being compatible with a new version of Firefox? Take a look at Nightly Tester Tools
"This extension adds a few extras useful to those that regularly test nightly builds of Firefox, Thunderbird and the Application Suite."
Uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox is rarely the fix for any problems Firefox might be having.
Make sure you have the latest versions of Flash and Java.
You can check the plugins you have installed by typing about:plugins in the address/location bar.
If the problem is with Firefox, try running Firefox in Safe Mode
If all is well, you have a "bad" theme or extension that needs updating, replacement or removal.
Tools Menu -> Extensions Dialog, each extension can be individually disabled using its right-click/context menu.
Disable individual extensions until you find the one that causes problems. Uninstall it.
Tool>Themes>uninstall follow the same steps as a bad extension
If the problem still exists it could be a bad profile in which case you need to Create a new profile.
You can "restore" most of the information from your old profile to your new one.
Restore your profile
These are the important files you might want to save:
# bookmarks.html Bookmarks.
# prefs.js Current user preferences.
# user.js User-added preferences (overrides prefs.js every startup).
# cookies.txt Cookies.
# hostperm.1 Cookies permissions, image permissions, and extension website install permissions list.
# signons.txt Saved passwords. Requires the "key3.db" file to work.
# key3.db Supplements password file.
# User.Chrome.css and User.Content.css
If you have problems uninstalling Firefox in Windows98 you may want to try:
Firefox uninstaller
GNU/Linux Specific Helps
Debian user:
Get Iceweasel!
Connection not found issues
If you are using Linux try using Bind along with nameserver to create your own DNS/name lookup server.For help see the "DNS HOWTO"
You should also check /etc/resolv.conf to make sure it has the correct DNS nameservers listed.
Firefox keeps Crashing
First check to make sure it isn't because of an extension/theme.
Second check that it isn't crashing because of Flash or Java.
Try this fix:
Set the Option "Composite" to "Disable" in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Installing Firefox for GNU/Linux
Most distros have Firefox available via their package manager. If you cannot find it that way, try searching for the appropriate package for your system or use the "official" package from Mozilla.
Uninstall Adblock or do a clean install when Updating Firefox.
How to build Firefox from the CVS source tree
Why Firefox/Mozilla/Acrobat Reader 7/other Gtk+2 based apps can not be installed/started?
If you are running Debian Sarge you can add the following to your sources.list to get the Backport of Firefox.
# Unofficial Backports for Debian Sarge
deb http://debian.stdout.at/ ./
For Debian users that still want Firefox and not Iceweasel the easiest thing is to use Swiftfox.
# SwiftFox
deb http://getswiftfox.com/builds/debian unstable non-free
Just add it to your sources.list
Browser Plugins
Linux plugins for Firefox Mozilla Plugin Support on Linux (x86)
PluginDoc: Plugins and Mozilla Firefox (Linux)
Where to Test plugins
Adobe Acrobat for Linux
Adobe Acrobat 7 - Plugin for Firefox
How do I install Acrobat Reader on Linux?
Debian users can install Adobe by adding the following repositories then using apt-get install acroread. You will also want "mozilla-acroread"
#Marillat
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org sarge main
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org etch main
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org sid main
Installing Macromedia Flash for Linux
Download the Macromedia Flash Player. Once downloaded, extract the files "libflashplayer.so" and "flashplayer.xpt"
from the archive and copy them to your browser's plugins directory.
Debian user can use APT:
Flash can be installed via apt and the non-free Debian repositories.
Make sure you have contrib nonfree. apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree.
Installing Java for Linux
1. Download the Linux version of the Java SDK.
2. When the download is finished, execute the .bin file as root and follow the prompts.
3. When the installation has completed, run this command in the plugins directory of your Firefox installation:
ln -s /your_path_here/java/j2re1.5.0/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so libjavaplugin_oji.so
You can type java -version in a console to check the version you have installed on your system.
For details on how to install Java in GNU/Linux see:
In Debian Sun's Java is available in the Official unstable non- free repositories.
Java JRE/JDK Installation on Debian
Linux Browser plugin / Java functionality in a web browser
HowTo install Java for Firefox/Mozilla
Installation Notes
JDK 5.0 Linux (32-bit)
Miscellaneous
Gentoo HOW TO - Firefox search plugins on user profiles
Konquefox - Extension and tricks for a better integration of Firefox into Linux and KDE
Firefox, Linux and Runescape Music
Make external programs in Linux use the right browser
Make the fonts look better. Microsoft's TrueType core fonts on linux
Debian users can run apt-get install msttcorefonts
Run more than one instance of Firefox in Linux
Official Mozilla Support links
For help with learning Linux visit How to Learn and Use GNU/Linux
For Ubuntu Specific help visit PluginDoc: Distribution Notes: Ubuntu Linux (x86)
For Debian specific help visit Debian Tips
For General GNU/Linux help please visit LinuxQuestions.org - Where Linux users come for help.
For more help with Firefox and to ask questions please visit the MozillaZine Forums
If you need help feel free to skype me
My Favorite and recommended Browser: My Firefox Info
Stumble It!