Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

• Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
• Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file (bookmarks, history) in the Firefox profile folder.

• Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/

Keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite needs to be created, but no suitable JSON backups are available to rebuild the bookmarks.

If the Places Maintenance extension can't repair the places.sqlite database file then remove all places.sqlite file(s) in the Firefox profile folder to make Firefox rebuild the places.sqlite database file from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

I tried this everything from your suggested fix and I'm still having issues.

All I see is Connecting...... (churn, churn).

Have you tried coping the link, and manually opening a new window? What web page are you on, or is this with any page?

I tried that too. Firefox churns and then times out.

Oh, one more thing.....

sometimes when I click on pages, this garbage displays:

E1��6�T��%�a���)e����G8A�?m��{Uy��EjS�6�I!m?_�f��֍�� �ʼn���;b�f�Ҭ��lK{y�n��?�ν8{ ����e�]d]o?sjk�Ҋ��oi��r���3�??�?+(mV?��?�?8׋4�lIC#?����?�O�??��ݮ ?{QU��_�$5�6����O��L(Z?�?���ܗ?|~[�ς?�9��?�Jg�1�t����9kB�?��3"~};ZB60[���?泘�,e3ڎo��{{{��� �����Z:�?G?˯�Qw=�!J1�4l��0mN4���?l�[��3I�4���?���?x?

I think we need to check the source web page. Please post a public link.

Type about:preferences#content<enter> in the address bar. Across from fonts and colors, press the Advanced button. On the bottom, turn on Allow Web Sites To Choose Their Own.

Screen shot of what I see if I click on a link that is in another tab.

What security software (firewall, Anti-Virus software) do you have?

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that has effect.

• http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/
• http://www.7tutorials.com/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10