I've never heard of the 'divided by' sign: it should be a "+" sign actually. But try pointing the mouse at a blank part of the tab bar and press the middle mouse button, or just hit CTRL+T. I suspect though it's because your Java installation is out of date. The latest version is 1.6.0_24. Try updating via Windows Control Panel | Java | Update.

Un-install the '''''Ask Toolbar''''' which has been reported to cause the problem with new tabs not opening. Ask.com needs to fix the problem with their toolbar. *http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Uninstalling+add-ons *http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Cannot%20uninstall%20an%20add-on <br /> ------------------------------ <br /> '''You need to update the following:''' *Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape *Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_14 for Mozilla browsers #'''''Check your plugin versions''''' on either of the following links': #*http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ #*https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ #*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions''' #*There are plugin specific testing links available from this page: #**http://kb.mozillazine.org/Testing_plugins #'''Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):''' #*From within your existing Adobe Reader ('''<u>if you have it already installed</u>'''): #**Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list #**Click Help > Check for Updates #**Follow the prompts for updating #**If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below #*Download complete installer ('''if you do <u>NOT</u> have Adobe Reader installed'''): #**SAVE the installer to your hard drive (save to your Desktop so that you can find it after the download). Exit/Close Firefox. Run the installer you just downloaded. #**Use either of the links below: #***https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox ''(click on "Installing and updating Adobe Reader")'' #***''<u>Also see Download link</u>''': http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/ #*After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again. #'''Update the [[Java]] plugin''' to the latest version. #*Download site: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html (Java Platform: Download JRE) #**'''''Be sure to <u>un-check the Yahoo Toolbar</u> option during the install if you do not want it installed. #*Also see "Manual Update" in this article to update from the Java Control Panel in Windows Control Panel: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates #* Removing old versions (if needed): http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml #* Remove multiple Java Console extensions (if needed): http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_:_FAQs_:_Install_Java#Multiple_Java_Console_extensions #*Java Test: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml