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Firefox, V33.0, freezes without mouse movement.

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Using Firefox 33.0 on a HP Pavillion laptop with Windows Vista, service pack 2 (Updates for both on "Auto").

Problem started with videos freezing without mouse movement over the video window.

Problem progressed over time to include entire Firefox window freezing without mouse movement.

Hardware acceleration disabled for both Firefox and Adobe flash.

Firefox does NOT hang, just freezes.

Using Firefox 33.0 on a HP Pavillion laptop with Windows Vista, service pack 2 (Updates for both on "Auto"). Problem started with videos freezing without mouse movement over the video window. Problem progressed over time to include entire Firefox window freezing without mouse movement. Hardware acceleration disabled for both Firefox and Adobe flash. Firefox does NOT hang, just freezes.

Asịsa ahọpụtara

hello cowboybob, other affected uses with similar symptoms have reported that this may be caused by adware/malware.

please go to the firefox menu ≡ > addons > extensions & remove any suspicious entries (toolbars, things that you have not installed intentionally, don't know what purpose they serve, etc).
also go to the windows control panel / programs and remove all toolbars or potentially unwanted software from there.
finally, run a full scan of your system with different security tools like the free version of malwarebytes & adwcleaner.

Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

Gụọ azịza a na nghọta 👍 4

All Replies (2)

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Asịsa Ahọpụtara

hello cowboybob, other affected uses with similar symptoms have reported that this may be caused by adware/malware.

please go to the firefox menu ≡ > addons > extensions & remove any suspicious entries (toolbars, things that you have not installed intentionally, don't know what purpose they serve, etc).
also go to the windows control panel / programs and remove all toolbars or potentially unwanted software from there.
finally, run a full scan of your system with different security tools like the free version of malwarebytes & adwcleaner.

Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

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Thanks, philipp.

I did as you suggested, in the order as suggested.

What finally worked was the total drive scan (using AVG Security 2014), which found all kinds of stuff that it eliminated.

I very much appreciate your responding as quickly as you did. All things considered (used to work for Apple back in the '80s) I should have thought of that myself. You know how it is ...

cowboybob (Paul)