Firefox Problems

[Ann]

Anyone else experiencing problems with Mozilla Firefox? It is so slow when loading, I'm always ahead of it when typing and I have constant crashes, problems with plug ins. I keep refreshing it most weeks or even days. I'm on Windows XP and have Firefox 39.0 which I think is the latest version.
Can anyone suggest anything or would switching to Google Chrome be better? Would appreciate any advice please.

[Arksided]

FF have fluxed themselves up.

I had to recently re-install everything on PC at home XP, and couldn't figure out what was wrong. IE adobe etc... and although I changed allegiances on that front from FF as a search engine ... I have gone with chrome'

[Ann]

Yes I think I'm going to give Chrome a go, although it has quickened up tonight! SO unpredictable and unreliable.

[HansUrbancka]

Personally, I Do Not think that a switch to Google Chrome will necessarily be a step for the good.

Perhaps you have a Broadband Speed issue. Test your Broadband speed and post the results in this thread.

http://www.speedtest.net/

Hans.

[Pete65]

Ann, I hope you find a solution to your problem with Firefox.
If not, there are dozens of other browsers to try.
I use Chrome, and Opera, and they do the job for me.

[New Judge]

As I said earlier, these products are not suitable for the purpose for which they are intended. There should not be these regular problems occurring with normal usage. They are clearly not tested anywhere near strenuously enough before being launched on unsuspecting users. If I'd paid for it I'd want my money back !!!

[jno]

who on earth has "foisted" Firefox on you, NJ? If you don't want it, throw it away. I have it, currently Ff 39.0 (with Windows 8), and it works fine, but I fully understand that it may suit other people - or their computers - less. However, other browsers are available at a remarkably similar price.

[bibblebub]

The worst thing that has happened with computers over the years is that the general public is using them in their daily life and so pontificators declare products as being not fit for purpose whereas the problem is with them. They expect everything to be set in stone whereas hardware, software and protocols have always continued to be developed. It only takes a modicum of effort to sort out most problems but apparently that is too much for some. I've been using Firefox and its 64bit variants for the last 10 years without any significant problems; any that have arisen are readily sorted out.

[HansUrbancka]

@New Judge.....I am agreeing with the last two posters.

However, perhaps you are in a position to suggest a legal course of action which can be taken in the issue concerned.

Hans.

[New Judge]

There’s no real legal redress, Hans. The product is provided free and as has been said I am free to seek alternatives (which, from my experience, all seem as bad as each other). It nonetheless does not mean I should accept a shoddy product without comment.

Bibblebub, I am using a computer of a reputable make which is a little over six months old. It runs on Windows 8 (which itself is deficient) and the latest version of Firefox. I’ve made no additions or alterations to either. I use it simply for browsing the web, the occasional bit of online shopping and share dealing. I also use my machine to access e-Mails, to use some Excel workbooks, and Access database or two and some Word documents. That’s all. No fancy programmes, no modifications. All software (principally Office 2013) obtained from official sources. If Firefox lasts two hours without a lengthy spell “Not Responding” (normally meaning I have to “End Task” with Task Manager) it is a miracle. If it goes an entire day without crashing entirely it is akin to the second coming. My pontifications are justified as I do not believe “the problem lies with me”. I am not a programming expert (though I have considerable experience using these products over many years); I have no idea what causes these problems but it’s nothing that I’ve done. I simply use the applications as they are meant to be used.

It’s true that nobody has “foisted” Firefox on me so perhaps that was the wrong word to use. I chose it because I was told it was better than IE (with which I had similar problems on an earlier machine). I note that you say it takes only a modicum of effort to sort out most problems. I’ve no idea what that effort will involve. I’ve followed the advice given by Firefox (which seems to consist of simply clearing cookies, history) etc. which brings further inconvenience) and it makes little or no difference. And in any case, these problems should not arise in normal usage.

I’m glad you seem to accept products which clearly are not fit for purpose and are prepared to invest in a “modicum of effort” to cure manufacturing defects. I’m not. If my new car continually broke down after a few weeks following normal usage I would not be prepared to expend “a modicum of effort” to keep repairing it and until there is a suitable alternative I shall continue to “bad press” this rubbish.