I am having serious issues with Firefox. This morning, it started crashing for no reason - about once an hour, at first. By tonight, it was crashing every few minutes, even with only one window open! I have downloaded Google Chrome to use in its place - and I really like it - but I miss my extra toolbars (with their customized buttons) from Firefox.

What (if anything) can I do to fix my Firefox? Or is there a way to put the yahoo toolbar on Google Chrome...and I just haven't found it yet? Thanks in advance for any help or advice you might be able to give me!

Have you tried reinstalling Firefox? Download Firefox from their website and install it again. It'll as you if you want to reinstall it while keeping your settings and bookmarks. Try that first.

If that doesn't solve the problem, you can back up your bookmarks (export them) and completely reinstall Firefox. I've had to do that in the past.

Never used Google Chrome, so can't weigh in on that at all.

I do like Google Chrome - and it automatically imported my bookmarks from Firefox. I just miss that extra toolbar. Will try what you've suggested - thank you, pyonir.

Well, I completely removed Firefox from my computer, then downloaded and reinstalled it. So far, it has been up and running for almost three minutes. (A very good sign...)

Still wondering what caused this, as I've never had this problem before. But if it can stay up and running, I am happy.

I spoke too soon. Firefox has once again crashed and is DOA...

Does anyone know of a way to install a yahoo toolbar on Google Chrome...?

Sorry I cannot help bionic, but I've a toolbar from another site which I've discovered (by asking them) is not compatible with Chrome. I've been "test driving" Chrome and so far really like it except for this one little problem. I've not tried to install other toolbars in Chrome. I've decided to go with both for the time being. Good luck!

To add: I did a search and found this: Firefox crash

Hope it is of some help.

Thank you, Jar - I am going to try out the suggestions on that site in the morning.

In the meantime, I did try one thing they advised. I checked my add-ons and updates, and Java was overdue for an update. So I took care of that and am currently running Firefox again. Will let you know if that solved the problem.

Thanks again!

Firefox has just released an update (now version 3.5.6). It sounds as if you may be out of trouble anyway but there's nearly always a few crash fixes included in Firefox updates. It might be good to install the latest version. Go to: 'Help > Check for Updates'.

I would take a look at the offical Mozilla website. Here's a link to "Firefox crashes when you open it"

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+crashes+when+you+open+it

The 3.5.6 version crashed, too - until I updated Java. It appears to have solved the problem. *Huge sigh of relief!* Thank you so much for your help.

I may have spoken too soon. After working perfectly for several hours, Firefox has crashed AGAIN. Maybe it is time for Google Chrome, after all...

Try running Firefox in Firefox's Safe Mode (not Windows Safe Mode). The shortcut for that is found in 'Start > Programs'. If it runs OK in Safe Mode, it is likely to be an extension causing the problem.

When you completely removed Firefox, did that inculde the Profiles folder as well? You would know if that had been the case if you then had to reinstall your extensions, import the bookmarks and make customisations. If you found that, after uninstalling and reinstalling, the extensions, bookmarks etc were sill in place, then Firefox wasn't completely removed. It's a mistake that can be made when thinking that Firefox was removed from the computer before reinstalling.

The majority of Firefox faults originate in the Profiles folder, especially if you have had the same Profiles folder since first installing Firefox and it has been in use over several updates/versions.

Where do I find the Profiles folder? Because yes, my settings were all still in place. I have been using Firefox again all day today, and it has 'only' crashed twice, so while it is better, there is still a problem.

When you reinstall there are two options. One is to reinstall while keeping settings and one to do a complete reinstall where everything is removed then reinstalled (I forget the language they use exactly). If you reinstall and select the option that deletes all settings, bookmarks, etc, it'll be a fresh reinstall and delete all profile folders and everything else associated with Firefox. Sounds to me like you chose the option which keeps your settings and bookmarks.

The profiles folder would be in the Mozilla folder in the Application Data folder. It depends on how you have folders named but as an example mine is in:
C:\Documents and Settings\Shaun\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox

Edit: Forgot to ask, does it crash when you are on a specific site? Like Yahoo mail or something? Or at random?

Mozilla has written a page describing what the Profiles folder does and giving its whereabouts but there's maybe no need to worry about that too much. Firefox gives ways of working with the Profiles folder without actually going to where it lives on the computer.

In fact, Mozilla gives very comprehensive pages on almost any aspect of firefox including complete uninstallation. Note the line in the page that says 'Remove my Firefox personal data and customizations'. It is choosing this option during the uninstallation procedure that removes the Profiles data. Mozilla help pages can seen a bit involved at first glance but once read a couple of times, the instructions seem clearer.

Before thinking about a new Profile though, try the 'Safe Mode' suggestion. Safe Mode disables themes and extensions. It might be that something there is causing the problem. Have you installed any extensions recently?

I note that you have updated Java but what about the Flash Player? Go here and download the latest version. Use the Flash uninstaller to remove the old version before installing the new one.

Perhaps see if this does the trick before trying the Safe Mode option.

pyonir, it crashes at random. I will check on my Flash Player and if that isn't it, start on the other suggestions. Thank you again for everyone's help!

TW, I haven't installed any new extensions recently.

I just followed the directions for uninstalling Flash and downloading the latest version. Will try Safe Mode next, if this hasn't done the trick. I really appreciate all of the suggestions.

Hopefully all of this will solve the problem, even if you have to resort to a completely uninstall and reinstall. Good luck, bionic.

Thanks again - and I'll let you know what happens.

Just crashed again. I am going to try safe mode now.

I had this same problem on my old pc once and it turned out I had a virus that was causing firefox to close itself.

I ran a virus removal and did some pc cleanup and it fixed it.

A good thought weeeps. Always worth doing a scan with whatever security software is installed. Another one that comes to mind that is easy and quick to try is emptying the cache. Some strange things can happen if that becomes too bloated.

Go to: 'Tools > Options > Advanced > Network (tab)'. Click the 'Clear Now' button.

I run AVG 9.0 and anti-malwarebytes daily. I did pick up a virus a couple of days ago, on Facebook. The trouble started after the virus was removed. I clean my cache several times a week as the computer (usually) runs smoother that way.

Late last night, I removed Firefox and all the settings and preferences and started over. Hopefully, that's the end of it. My daughter was doing some research and says that the latest Firefox update has been having problems with unexpected crashes, so I hope they have another (better) update soon.

Thank you again for all of your help - I really do appreciate it.

Firefox 3.5.5 did crash for some people, presumably depending on their system/configuration. Version 3.5.6 was released on Tuesday, it's supposed to fix the problem so if you have just downloaded a new version, presumably it will be that one - I hope it works, no one should leave Firefox for Google!