Update Firefox to 3.6.16 via Help | Check For Updates first of all.

Then update Java via Windows Control Panel | Java | Update and then click the Update Now button.

If it still doesn't work properly afterwards, try running Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode. If it functions properly in that configuration, then one of your add-ons is the culprit.

I'm going to try your suggestions in a few hours. Thanks vm...and I'll reply again to let you know what happened.

6 days later, after endless, tedious effort....NOTHING!...This is infuriating. I can't believe no one is offering a clear solution. I have managed, somehow, to install Explorer 8, but I cannot get the browser because I can't download it from the http file. I'm kind of giving up. Maybe, having no hope will mysteriously help me.

Could you please check your connection settings via Tools | Options | Advanced | Network (tab) | Settings (button). Checkmark "No Proxy" at the top and then try to surf again.

Also, check your firewall settings. See Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet

See also: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites

Thank you. I did make it "no proxy". My problem that since I can't open http files, I can't fix my firewall (which is disabled and needs ICS fixed), and I can't open help files that begin with http (such as the one you've included in your reply. Also, I can't get the updates from microsoft. If I can't fix the symptom -get onto http sites-- I can't get the help I need to fix the symptom.

Have you got a USB drive and do you have access to another computer somewhere, a friend perhaps, or maybe at work?

All you need to do is to go to http://kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites and then click File | Save Page As and choose to save it to the USB drive. Then unplug it from the other computer, take it to your own and then move it to your own computer.

If you haven't got a USB drive, you can buy one easily at any computer store. they very cheap now and a 4GB USB drive will only set you back about $5

I really appreciate your hanging in on this. I will do as you suggest ASAP. I've tried every trick to get onto that page, and copying from another computer is the answer. Thanks Xircal.

Actually, this is interesting. I put part of your link into the URL box above and was able to get the Error Loading Web Sites page. I'm not sure if it's exactly the page you were referring to, but it seems to be. Here's what I did: I put what's inside the parens here (kb/Error loading web sites?s=http+pages&as=s) right after en-US/ ... right here on this site in it's URL box. In other words I was able to convert your link to an https link, and it worked for me.

Yup! I did it again. It's the black circle and blue mozzilla.com that prefix the https in the URL above that enables some http links to become valid https links. Some http links do offer a certificate when you put an s after the http. In this case, however, you need that prefix I mentioned in my first line of this reply. Thanks for putting me onto this.

In other words, replace everything after US/ in the URL box above with the part of your link shown here in brackets [kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites], and you'll get to the https page you recommended.

One more time, put "https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Error%20loading%20web%20sites?s=http+pages&as=s" after the blue prefix in the URL box above. OK...I'm done.

To reach the Error Loading Web Sites page type

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Error%20loading%20web%20sites

after the blue Mozilla.com prefix in the URL above.

Please do the following.

Go to Start | Run, type: CMD and click OK to open a command prompt.

Then type: netsh winsock reset and hit Enter.

You should get a message that the winsock file has successfully been reset.

Type: exit and then reboot.

Open Firefox again and then try and access an ordinary site.

Did you check your security software (firewall)?

A possible cause is security software (firewall) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process.

See:

• Server Not Found - Troubleshoot connection problems
• Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet