Wow. Immediately after I submitted this question my version 9 browser started loading the page properly. I had switched back and forth between 8 and 9 several times before posting. It failed every time with version 9 and loaded every time with 8. Whatever, seems to be working okay now.

If it happens again the try to clear the cache and the cookies from sites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

• Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Network > Offline Storage (Cache): "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

• Edit > Preferences > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Reload web page(s) and bypass the cache.

• Press and hold Shift and left-click the Reload button.
• Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
• Press "Cmd + Shift + R" (MAC)

It definitely happened again, and again and again and .... with not only this page, but with a number of pages. The only common denominator I saw was that each of those pages had flash on them.

I'll do as you have suggested and will give 9 a try again today. I report my experience.

Just for the record I do not view this as "sites that cause problems." These sites all work okay with FF 8, which leads me to believe the difficulty may lie within FF 9. I'll go along with " the sites FF 9 has difficulties with."

Do you have any problems with hanging plugin-container processes?

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Plugin-container_and_out-of-process_plugins

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

• Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode

I have been using 9 all day today without incident. I followed your instructions and have no indication of any hanging plugin-container.

While I was in safe mode I went to several of the sites that were not loading properly yesterday and they displayed the same way they did yesterday in normal mode. No flash windows. That leads me to believe that I was having some sort of difficulty between my flash plugin and FF 9 yesterday. Whatever, I have had absolutely no difficulties today. I will continue running FF9 for a couple of days before I mark this thread as solved.

I appreciate your help cor-el.