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Firefox 16.0.2 /XP32 freezes _very_ often for some seconds or more on any website. Plugin-contaner is then active.

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It freezes for 5 or 10 seconds then starts again for a few seconds or a half minute before it freezes again, etc. Usually the CPU background process is 99% but when it freezes Plugin-contaner.exe uses aprox 11%. and 25-50MB. When Plugin-contaner.exe disapears the freezing also disapears.

It seems to freeze only when some data is handled in a tab. Not necessary the active tab. For example when pasting the troubleshooting Information bolow.

It started about 2-3 weeks ago.

It usually do not crash, last time was 2 weeks ago, the IDs is from then.

I have tried without success: -fails safe mode -restoring Firefox -Copying back the old Firefox-data again. -Updating BIOS and graphis driver. -Updated windows. -Run antivirus an extra time -Run Malwarebytes -Added Adblock

MS Internet Explorer works well, Thunderbird works well, the PC works well except Firefox.

It freezes for 5 or 10 seconds then starts again for a few seconds or a half minute before it freezes again, etc. Usually the CPU background process is 99% but when it freezes Plugin-contaner.exe uses aprox 11%. and 25-50MB. When Plugin-contaner.exe disapears the freezing also disapears. It seems to freeze only when some data is handled in a tab. Not necessary the active tab. For example when pasting the troubleshooting Information bolow. It started about 2-3 weeks ago. It usually do not crash, last time was 2 weeks ago, the IDs is from then. I have tried without success: -fails safe mode -restoring Firefox -Copying back the old Firefox-data again. -Updating BIOS and graphis driver. -Updated windows. -Run antivirus an extra time -Run Malwarebytes -Added Adblock MS Internet Explorer works well, Thunderbird works well, the PC works well except Firefox.

All Replies (10)

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You can check for problems caused by recent Flash updates and try these:

  • disable a possible RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin extension for Firefox and update the RealPlayer if installed
  • disable protected mode in Flash 11.3 and later
  • disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin
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Yes, Flash was the problem. If I disable it the freezings disappear :)

Though I can not get Flash working propperly. I have tried the threes suggestions above, without success. I have uninstalled the up-to-date Flash and installed 10.3, without improvement.

Any more suggestion?

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The plugin-container process was not in the firewall exeptions. But it did not ask for permission either...

I removed the firewall exeptions for Firefox and Thunderbird. I uninstalled Flash 10.3. I reinstalled Flash 11.5.

Now the firewall asked me to allow Firefox, Thunderbird and Plugin-contaner. Exeptions was added.

Still same behaviour.

I disabled the firewall - no change. I restared the PC - no change.


What more can I try?

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I disabled flash, restarted, it still freezes every minute or two. Then I have to kill it & restart.

Pathetic beyond belief. I'll be off to Chrome if FF doesn't start behaving consistently :(

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You've fixed it in v17 - brilliant! I went over to Chrome, which was working well. Then I heard 17 was coming out, and thought it was worth a try.

Thanks a million!

Chrome doesn't have vertical tabs, so you guys win every time.

Thanks again :)

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v17 do not solve my problem with FF and Flash though :-( Any other suggestions?

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Yes, you're right, FF hung yesterday & I had to kill it.

Don't blame flash, though, Chrome works fine with it.

It's a FF problem.

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Mozilla doesn't seem too interested in fixing this :(

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I have exactly the same problems with FF - also it's only happened over the last 2-3 weeks. Updates for flash are impossible to install - FF freezes for 5 minutes opening some pages or links. I've loved using FF in all the many years but I think it's time to try something more reliable now :(