See:

• https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20is%20already%20running%20but%20is%20not%20responding

thank you for your help but sorry to say I got rid of the message by going to task manager but when I restarted the computer it was back again but thank you anyway

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting#w_8-make-a-new-profile

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.

See:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox