See these articles for some suggestions:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+has+just+updated+tab+shows+each+time+you+start+Firefox
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/How+to+set+the+home+page - Firefox supports multiple home pages separated by '|' symbols
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

Thank you for your reply. As I indicated in my post, my homepage is already set to about:blank. When FF starts the setting is to "show a blank page. Their is no problem with my tool-bars nor are there multiple homepages shown in my settings. So, the fixes you proposed aren't applicable. Any other suggestions?

Try to reset all preferences.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Preferences+are+not+saved

It is possible that there is a problem with the file(s) that store the extensions registry.

Delete the files extensions.* (e.g. extensions.sqlite, extensions.ini, extensions.cache) and compatibility.ini in the Firefox profile folder to reset the extensions registry.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Profiles

New files will be created when required.

See "Corrupt extension files":

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Unable+to+install+add-ons

If you see disabled, not compatible, extensions in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the Tools button at the left side of the Search Bar (or click the "Find Updates" button in older Firefox versions) to check if there is a compatibility update available.

I have attempted to review and understand the references that you sent to me but am at a loss to do so. Maybe I'm "illiterate" when it comes to understanding compterese? Is there a simple answer to my question or am I condemned to computer hell as a result of my inability to comprehend your responses?

you could try to reset firefox and see if this is making a difference (your bookmarks & passwords will be kept)

Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder

See also:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox