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For the last few weeks, after I close FF 19.0, I can't reopen it. I've resorted to having to re-install FF each time to get it to open. What to do?

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For the last few weeks, every time I shut down Firefox 18 (and most recently 19.0), I cannot re-open the browser again. The application spins as if it's going to open, then stops and sits there. I've had to resort to re-installing the brower each time now, very irritating. It does recall my tabs as they had been, which I want. I used to open as many as 40-50 tabs, but now have made an effort to keep them below 20, thinking that would help it work more optimally. I'm getting weary of re-installing the browser all the time. What should I do? THANKS

For the last few weeks, every time I shut down Firefox 18 (and most recently 19.0), I cannot re-open the browser again. The application spins as if it's going to open, then stops and sits there. I've had to resort to re-installing the brower each time now, very irritating. It does recall my tabs as they had been, which I want. I used to open as many as 40-50 tabs, but now have made an effort to keep them below 20, thinking that would help it work more optimally. I'm getting weary of re-installing the browser all the time. What should I do? THANKS

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When this happens, could you check the Windows Task Manager to see whether there is a hidden window or the firefox.exe process has stalled?

To open the Windows Task Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc

On the Applications tab, look for any window with the Firefox icon. See anything odd there? In another thread, users have reported finding what appears to be a rogue process. If you find anything, try selecting it and killing it using End Task.

On the Processes tab, look for firefox.exe. Depending on the columns displayed, you often can see that the program is reading, writing, communicating, or just sitting there doing nothing. If you have allowed Firefox time to shut down and it stalls, you can select firefox.exe and click End Process.

After that, Firefox should start normally.

Please see this article for troubleshooting suggestions for when Firefox hangs while exiting. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-hangs-or-not-responding#w_firefox-hangs-when-you-quit-it

Any luck?

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Chosen Solution

When this happens, could you check the Windows Task Manager to see whether there is a hidden window or the firefox.exe process has stalled?

To open the Windows Task Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc

On the Applications tab, look for any window with the Firefox icon. See anything odd there? In another thread, users have reported finding what appears to be a rogue process. If you find anything, try selecting it and killing it using End Task.

On the Processes tab, look for firefox.exe. Depending on the columns displayed, you often can see that the program is reading, writing, communicating, or just sitting there doing nothing. If you have allowed Firefox time to shut down and it stalls, you can select firefox.exe and click End Process.

After that, Firefox should start normally.

Please see this article for troubleshooting suggestions for when Firefox hangs while exiting. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-hangs-or-not-responding#w_firefox-hangs-when-you-quit-it

Any luck?

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By the way, your "More system details" page shows that you have two different versions of the Flash plugin. Sometimes Adobe's updater fails to remove the older version if Firefox is open at the time you run it.

To remove the older one by hand, open this folder and look for files starting with NPSWF32:

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash

You only need the latest one.

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Thanks very much. In fact, I had THREE Flash plug-ins installed. Jeez. Took your advice and removed all but the last one.

Great advice and expertise. Thanks again!

/cp

Chris Preimesberger Editor, eWEEK