hello, can you try to replicate this behaviour when you launch firefox in safe mode once? if not, maybe an addon is interfering here...

Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems

other users reported that this might be caused by old versions of ghostery or adguard: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1018244

Philipp - Thanks for your reply.

I re-started the computer in "safe mode" trying to verify if the problem still existed. It does!

Since I have an identical 2nd computer, I also tried the update> Firefox 29 - 32. Same problem! Very unusual ... same problem on two different computers would lead me to believe the problem lays with Firefox 32!

I did check the updates for mentioned updates on ghostery, adguard and the the remaining extensions. All current.

What a conundrum! What's next? In the mean time I'm back using Firefox 29 - which appears to be working fine - including the "options" presenting correctly. Perplexed!!

Thanks, mitchell1568

could you go to the firefox menu ≡ > help ? > troubleshooting information, copy the contents of that page and paste them here into a reply on the forum? maybe this can give us a clue of what is going on...

philipp - Do you want the info currently displayed in Firefox 29, since I re-installed it? Or, do you want me to re-install Firefox 32? I'm currently (unfortunately) with some customers at the present time and constrained on time at the moment! Let me know which version you want, (Firefox 29 - 32?) or if it really makes any difference... Thanks for your help and I'll do my best to adhere to this problem with you for a possible solution. Gotta leave for now! Thanks Philipp.

Regards, mitchell1568

the information from 29 will probably suffice too (i'm interested in the graphics hardware section in particular, which will be the same in 29 & 32).

Graphics Adapter Description Intel(R) HD Graphics Family Adapter Description (GPU #2) NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M Adapter Drivers igdumd64 igd10umd64 igd10umd64 igdumdx32 igd10umd32 igd10umd32 Adapter Drivers (GPU #2) nvd3dumx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um Adapter RAM Unknown Adapter RAM (GPU #2) 3072 Device ID 0x0116 Device ID (GPU #2) 0x0dcd DirectWrite Enabled false (6.2.9200.16571) Driver Date 7-19-2011 Driver Date (GPU #2) 10-23-2013 Driver Version 8.15.10.2455 Driver Version (GPU #2) 9.18.13.3165 GPU #2 Active false GPU Accelerated Windows 0/1 Basic Vendor ID 0x8086 Vendor ID (GPU #2) 0x10de WebGL Renderer Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Intel(R) HD Graphics Family Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) windowLayerManagerRemote false AzureCanvasBackend skia AzureContentBackend cairo AzureFallbackCanvasBackend cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated 0

I trust the above might be of some value. Sorry for the interruptions! I'm the only one here in the office currently.

Let me know what you think....

mitchell1568

you could try to update your graphics drivers (these should be the right links for your particular models): https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=23764 http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/77228

i also reread your first reply and stumbled across something i didn't notice first time: "I re-started the computer in 'safe mode' trying to verify if the problem still existed." with safe mode i didn't mean the windows safe mode, but the one that is integrated into firefox. this is getting described in: Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems it would be nice if you could try it, once you find the time... & don't worry, there's no need to hurry ;-)

Philipp, I'll get back to you tomorrow, first thing after I return to the office early. I'll touch bases with you tomorrow, if you are still there - or whenever you get a chance. The page you sent me to requires that I re-install FF 32. I'll do so and follow your inst.

Thanks for your effort to try and resolve this issue.

Regards, mitchell1568

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

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

cor-el,

Thanks for your input. I'll use your suggestion after attempting several other fixes.

Thanks mitchell1568

philipp,

Thanks for waiting... I've applied the latest updates that you suggested regarding the graphic drivers. (Intel and Nvidia).

That did not solve the problem.

I uninstalled Firefox 32 and re-installed, first FF v. 29; the Options window appears, as normal. Then I installed FF v. 31 and it too works correctly, as well. It leads me to think there's an inherent "problem" with FF v. 32 browser, maybe it's not the computer.

Since I pay for Dell software services, I called Dell to check if I was overlooking anything that might be causing this problem on the computer itself. The Dell tech, an experienced chap checked the computer; he also uses Firefox; he witnessed the problem, as I showed it to him. He indicated he'll investigate the issue, as well. I showed him your comments, too. He'll download FF v. 32 on a Dell computer used to check for such problems and see if a similar problem occurs. He'll contact me in a day or two after, which he'll escalate the problem to higher levels within Dell's tech service, if necessary. Dell normally does not handle third-party software problems but he stated he'd do so in this case.

Off-hand, going back and updating the graphic drivers, and re-installing earlier FF versions that "work," also noting other people are experiencing the same problem, he'll contact Mozilla directly and confer with program techs on this issue. That was his suggestion, not mine. Both of you are smarter than I when it comes to finding a solution!

Aside from that Philipp, do you have any other suggestions? I've never had this problem with ANY earlier FF versions. Perplexing to say the least. Thanks for your extended help, Philipp.

mitchell1568

You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename (or delete) the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in the current Firefox release.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Resetting_preferences

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

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

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

• Download the full Firefox installer and save the file to the desktop
  https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html

If possible uninstall your current Firefox version to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

• Do NOT remove "personal data" when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because this will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

• (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
• (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

• It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Firefox

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure NOT to remove personal data when you uninstall Firefox as that will remove all Firefox profile folders and you lose your personal data.

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

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall

i have seen a couple of more reports that this exact same problem can be caused by ghostery - please disable that extension for the moment.

philipp,

Bingo! Disabling Ghostery allows the "options" window to appear. This creates a "bigger problem!" Enabling Ghostery "blanks" out the options window in FF v. 32.

So, that said, "noting that ALL previous FF versions up to FF v. 32 work with Ghostery" - it would seem that there is a program software problem with "FF v. 32!" A fix needed!

As you are probably well aware, Ghostery provides a significant service! That said Philipp, how does one still maintain FF v. 32 AND still incorporate Ghostery and/or other extensions could create similar problems? The Mozilla FF software programers I would think are aware of this debacle.... Maybe not. I take nothing for granted. I'm not ready to give up Ghostery, yet! That means I'm "stuck" with FF v. 31 for now!

Again, as I mentioned, ALL current extensions (including Ghostery) work with FF v. 31.

Philipp, thanks immensely for your inputs and undivided attention to this issue. I'll look forward to your further comments possibly providing a solution in order to maintain the latest versions of FF without having to "disable" any of the extensions which provide additional Internet security features. In the meantime: I'm back using FF v. 31!

I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.

Regards, mitchell1568

the matter seems to be a bit more difficult even: do you have tab mix plus and the noia theme installed too? if so, this is a threeway incompatibility between them, and apparently the newest dev version of TMP can fix this: http://tmp.garyr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=66223#p66223

in general the best way forward if you've opinned down a problem to a particular addon is to directly contact the extension developers - they can likely give you more detailed guidance and are the only ones who can fix bugs or make necessary adjustments in the addon for new firefox versions. thank you...

cor-el,

Thanks again for your input. I just incorporated a partial solution given by "philipp" who has also provided his input to solve the problem with the "blank" options window, as well.

He recommend disabling the extension "Ghostery." That does partially solve the problem - not to total satisfaction. (You may want to read my latest comment to philipp in response to his latest suggestion to disable Ghostery.

Again, you'll note that Ghostery works with ALL previous Firefox versions up to version 31. That leads me to believe there is a "software problem with FF v. 32." A "fix" is necessary to allow the extension Ghostery, a valuable service while on the Internet, to be maintained.

If you can think of anything else, a possible second choice to your well-written suggestion above, I'd be very interested cor-el.

Thanks for your attention and effort to render a possible solution to allow for FF v. 32 without having to "disable" any of the services like Ghostery, et al. that provide significant services while using the Firefox browser.

Regards, mitchell1568

philipp,

No, I don't have: tab mix plus and the noia theme installed.

Using a degree of rational thinking, Ghostery has worked with ALL preceding FF versions, as I mentioned, up FF v. 32. The problem only occurred with FF v. 32. That would seem to indicate the "change" to FF v. 32 is where the problem lays; the extension Ghostery works with all previous FF versions since the inception date of Ghostery. Does that make reasonable sense to you?

The "change" is FF v. 32 - noting that NOTHING has changed (other than updates) in Ghostery, which still works with all previous versions of FF. I find it difficult to lay the problem at the doorstep of Ghostery. But then again, I'm no expert on these issues!

mitchell1568