I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but it is actually the Flash plugin crashing Firefox. This looks like a pure Flash crash to me.

How often does this happen?

I don't have any real solutions to offer. But, an upcoming update to Firefox 3.6 will keep plugin crashes from taking down the browser.

For more information or if you are interested in trying a beta: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/lorentz/

Thank you for the information. My computer crashes every time I start viewing particular You Tube videos and play lists, and not at all when I watch others. I have no problem watching Netflix movies on Firefox. I have uploaded the most recent version of Flash player a couple of days ago hoping that would help, but it still crashes. I have recently had a lot of trouble with all of the browsers I have been using. You Tube will crash when I use Firefox, will crash even sooner when I use Internet Explorer, and will crash almost immediately when I use Google Chrome. Just in the last couple of weeks have the crashes been occurring--I never had any trouble with it prior to this time.

Another person on the forum suggested I try Firefox beta version 3.6.4. Do you think that would be a wise idea? I do use my computer for other things besides viewing you tube, and I wonder if it will cause problems viewing other websites, although it might help make Flash applications more stable, as it was explained to me.

Thanks again for your help! Much appreciated.

Unfortunately, 3.6.4 is only going to keep Flash crashes from taking down the whole browser (instead, the Flash window will just go away), it isn't going to solve crashes.

I think something else, such as hardware or software problems, are at play here if Flash is crashing in every browser (IE plugins are completely different from the ones for Firefox/Chrome).

You can try cleaning out and reinstalling Flash, using Add/Remove Programs, and checking for extra versions, as described here: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+the+Flash+plugin#Flash_does_not_work_properly_and_or_will_not_update

Then reinstall: Install the Flash plugin to view videos, animations and games

You could also give the pre-release version of Flash 10.1 a try: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashplayer10/ (you'll want to uninstall any previous versions of Flash first, following instructions).

Thank you for all of the suggestions of where to start looking for the cause of this problem. I will go down the list and try them. I am not hugely computer savvy, so I will get some help here on my end before I proceed further.

Thanks again! When I figure out what is causing the crashes, I will let you know.

You can also delete the macromedia.com and #SharedObjects folders to reset all Flash cookies and settings. XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash Player\ Vista: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Macromedia\Flash Player\

"Application Data" in XP/Win2K and "AppData" in Vista/Windows 7 are hidden folders, use %APPDATA% in the File name field. --- Flash Player uninstall: http://www.adobe.com/go/tn_14157 (this will remove the Firefox Flash plugin and the ActiveX control for IE)

To Cor-el above:

I deleted the macromedia.com and #SharedObjects folders, restarted the computer and tried to watch a you tube video, but it crashed again.

Any other ideas that it might be?

Thank you!

To rjohnson19 above:

I used Add/Remove to remove Flash 10 plugin, and then I reinstalled it. However, when I go to watch a you tube video after this, it continues to crash.

Do you have any other ideas that might help the problem?

In your earlier message, you suggested that hardware or software problems might be at play here--could you please be more specific about which hardware or software could be causing it?

Another question: why might it be that I can watch Netflix movies on this computer with no problem, but the video crashes when I watch you tube videos?

Thank you for your help!

Your not the only one having this problem ... I have had the same exact crashes and system pauses for no reason when any page with flash is loaded. this happens with Firefox, Chrome and IE ...

To everyone who responded to me: Thank you for your help. As it turns out, my power supply inside the computer was on its way out and eventually died, and had to be replaced. So it was a hardware problem I was having that was affecting viewing the you tube videos. Now that the power supply is replaced, I have no more problems with watching you tube videos.

Thanks again!

I am having the exact same problem, and I have no clue how to fix it. I kept uninstall and reinstall the flash. but it still crashes on all the browsers when I play youtube video.

To colo above:

My power supply inside the computer was on its way out and eventually died, and had to be replaced. So it was a hardware problem I was having that was affecting viewing the you tube videos. Now that the power supply is replaced, I have no more problems with watching you tube videos.

Athena, I am having the same problem, but it just started after downloading the latest firefox and latest flashplayer. I also have a battery that doesn't work without the power supply cord connected, but with the cord plugged into the wall I didn't think I would have this type of problem. Were you plugged into the wall when you were crashing?

To Jim: Yes, my computer was plugged into the wall when it was crashing.

I think before uprooting the whole system, let us think about the compatibility issue among NOSCRIPT, ADBLOCK and flash media handler/downloader. Sometimes back there was a permission issue needing explicit entry of a script in allowed list under 'Tools' menu. The details were sent as when noscript got updated & autonotified.

But I am again in the rut, because I tried to install latest version with minimum plugins/addons for faster work.