Do you have BitDefender (2010 e.g.) with its toolbar? If yes, remove it because the BD toolbar is known to be buggy and cause this issue (add-on compatibility check at each Firefox start).

And report here the BD toolbar version you have.

See also these articles for some suggestions:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+has+just+updated+tab+shows+each+time+you+start+Firefox
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/How+to+set+the+home+page - Firefox supports multiple home pages separated by '|' symbols
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

No, no BD toolbar here. But I thank you for the help and info. I won't get THAT toolbar for sure. :)

I'm sure that this is probably what I need, unfortunately when I get to opening the user.js file, I feel like I'm trying to read a new language with no dictionary and no tutor.  ;)

There shouldn't be a user.js file in the Firefox Profile Folder unless you other other software or Firefox extension has created it.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Can you post the content of user.js if you have such a file? You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder

You can also try to rename prefs.js to prefs.js.old to reset all preferences in case there is a problem with the file as stated in the KB articles.

I think it might be too big because every time I try my connection times out.

I will try to post it in smaller chunks.

# Mozilla User Preferences

/* Do not edit this file.
 *
 * If you make changes to this file while the application is running,
 * the changes will be overwritten when the application exits.
 *
 * To make a manual change to preferences, you can visit the URL about:config
 * For more information, see http://www.mozilla.org/unix/customizing.html#prefs
 */

user_pref("CT2260173..clientLogIsEnabled", true);
user_pref("CT2260173..clientLogServiceUrl", "http://clientlog.users.conduit.com/ClientDiagnostics.asmx/ReportDiagnosticsEvent");
user_pref("CT2260173..uninstallLogServiceUrl", "http://uninstall.users.conduit.com/Uninstall.asmx/RegisterToolbarUninstallation");
user_pref("CT2260173.ALLOW_SHOWING_HIDDEN_TOOLBAR", false);
user_pref("CT2260173.AboutPrivacyUrl", "http://www.conduit.com/privacy/Default.aspx");
user_pref("CT2260173.AppTrackingLastCheckTime", "Tue Nov 08 2011 17:15:50 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)");
user_pref("CT2260173.CT2260173", "CT2260173");
user_pref("CT2260173.CommunitiesChangesLastCheckTime", "0");
user_pref("CT2260173.CurrentServerDate", "3-12-2011");
user_pref("CT2260173.DSInstall", true);
user_pref("CT2260173.DialogsAlignMode", "LTR");
user_pref("CT2260173.DialogsGetterLastCheckTime", "Wed Nov 30 2011 14:22:37 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)");
user_pref("CT2260173.DownloadReferralCookieData", "");
user_pref("CT2260173.FeedLastCount128940659599556287", 0);
user_pref("CT2260173.FeedPollDate128940659196275477", "Fri Dec 02 2011 19:34:31 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)");
user_pref("CT2260173.FeedPollDate128940659574712536", "Fri Dec 02 2011 19:34:31 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)");
user_pref("CT2260173.FeedTTL128940659574712536", 40);
user_pref("CT2260173.FirstServerDate", "6-11-2011");
user_pref("CT2260173.FirstTime", true);

I lost my place so if it repeats some, I'm very sorry.

deleting...

There's a LOT more. Maybe I should just change the name of the file and be done with it after all. Sorry for all the posts.

You seem to have caught one or more Conduit toolbars judging from the CT2260173 identifiers in that user.js file.
If all those lines are similar then you can delete that user.js file, it shouldn't be there after all.
You may also want to check installed programs in the Control Panel > Programs to see if there are Any suspicious Conduit Toolbars showing.

You can also check installed extensions: Tools > Add-ons > Extensions

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

See also Help > Troubleshooting Information for installed extensions.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Using+the+Troubleshooting+Information+page

Getting rid of the user.js file seems to have done the trick.

Thank you so much for your time and help. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome