Clear the Google cookies and try again to disable Instant search.

Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

cor-el, Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction to adjust the cookies in Firefox. It took a bit of fiddling as I am blind and use a text-to-speech processor to navigate the Internet and Firefox, but I finally got Google to stop loading Instant Search - thanks to your succinct pointer. Again, thank you!

You're welcome

Sorry, I should have given better directions.
There is a link directly to the right of the Google search field on the Google results page.
That is a button with a drop down list: Instant is On/Off.

There is also a radio check box on the Google Settings page, that has replaced the previously present Suggestions.

• http://www.google.com/preferences?hl=en

Google Instant:

• Use Google Instant — predictions and results appear while typing
• Do not use Google Instant

See also http://www.google.com/instant/

Hey, no problemo! I bestow upon you my personal white-can award for the additional info. Meanwhile, the main problem was in how my defaults were set in the Firefox area you pointed me to. Once I got there, I was able to change the defaults so Google's radio button would work. The problem was that each time I saved the Google setting, a message box would pop up that my screenreader announcing that the settings were saved. But when I reloaded Firefox, they were not saved. I don;t know if the popup message was generated by the webpage or Firefox. I think some sort of interupt message should popup from Firefox if one's settings for cookies will prevent the settings from being saved due to cookies being unsaved. Anyway, you were a big help as I am new to Windows 7 and have just switched to Firefox as it handles and solves those nasty screen "captchas" really nicely with the Webvism captcha add-on. Best regards, Grandpa Dave in CA.

Oops! Make that a "white cane" award - not a "white can"!  :-)