I'm wondering if there is still anyone who can continue helping me with this problem. It's still very much with me.

Also, is there a way to move my thread closer to the beginning of the posts? I'm afraid it's too far down and not getting much, if any, attention. Or, is that allowed? Just asking. There haven't been any replies, nor views for a couple of days now. I guess Thanksgiving got in the way tho too. lol

The posts on this forum are listed in the order of the latest post responded to is on top. We all have done a lot of things to help you. Let's try this;

Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link} Save the file. Then;

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. Linux: Check your user manual.

Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox folders by adding .old to them.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done.

Hello again Fred. Thanks for giving me the heads up about the posts. I just didn't wanna break any of the rules in here 'cuz everyone has been so kind, patient, and VERY helpful. I've learned a lot about FF in the last few days.

Back to the rat killing. I followed your instructions and used CCleaner v5.10.5373 to scan and remove all issues it found, deleted Mozilla Firefox.old folers, then ran the installer. Problem is still here--just says "Connecting" in the tab.

Okay, good. That was step one, re-install Firefox. Now step two.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles

Create a new, blank profile. Use it as is. Is the problem still there?

Problem is still there Fred.

I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.

You can check for issues caused by plugins and set plugins to "Ask to Activate" on the "Firefox menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Plugins" page.

• plugins are not affected by Firefox Safe Mode

If it works in Windows Safe mode then you likely have a problem with other software, possibly security software or a system driver, on your computer. You can check possible advanced settings in your security software for Firefox. Also make sure that you have the latest updates of your security software and hardware drivers.

You can use the MSConfig program or the Autoruns utility to see which software and services are getting started, but be cautious with disabling services.

• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

You can try to uninstall Avast temporarily and possibly use Windows replacements.

Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware

Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. All these programs have free versions.

Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
  http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
• AdwCleaner:
  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
  http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
• SuperAntispyware:
  http://www.superantispyware.com/
• Microsoft Safety Scanner:
  http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
• Windows Defender:
  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender
• Spybot Search & Destroy:
  http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
• Kasperky Free Security Scan:
  http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan

You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller:
  http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446

See also:

• "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked

Hi cor-el. This FF problem is starting to irritate me. Here's what happened when I began to start on the instructions you gave me.

Menu button > Add-ons > Extensions > "You don't gave any add-ons of this type installed." Plugins > OpenH264 Video Codec by Cisco Primetime Content Decryption by Adobe Google Update Windows Activation Technologies These were set to "Always activate"--turned them to "Never activate" because "Ask to activate" is grayed out.

Menu button > Exit FF icon

Tried to restart FF, but keep getting the dreaded "FF is already running, but..." message. Killed it in Task Mgr. and restarted FF, but all plugins were back to "Always activate"

Please advise on what I should now. Thanks

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

Sometimes the pluginreg.dat file becomes corrupted. You can remove it and have Firefox re-scan for plugins. As a side effect, any plugins you have disabled on the Add-ons page probably will be re-enabled, so you'll need to go back to that page one more time.

Type about:support in the address bar and press enter.

Under the page logo on the left side you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To it’s right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Locate the pluginreg.dat file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox.

Fred, followed your instructions to the letter and FF STILL persists in setting preferences back to "Always activate" with "Always ask" grayed out.

Also, I'm still dealing with "FF is already....." msg. At this point, I think I should, at least, start with full system malware scans as cor-el suggested.

I'll add AdwCleaner and Kasperskey scanner to the arsenal as I already use the others.

Oh, happy day--gonna have mind numbing fun now. At least, I've got other things to do while the scans are running. I'll ck. back in with y'all tomorrow for further help. I know I'm gonna need it.

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 current Firefox releases.

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

Whew. Finall all full system scans are done in Win Safe Mode.

cor-el I just ckd. for problems with preferences per your instructions and am still getting "FF is already running, but...." msg., and preferences stll aren't saved.

Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

Fred, FF does work in Windows Safe mode.

If the problem goes away in Windows Safe Mode, then one of the other programs on your system is causing problems.

As a test, disable your protection programs. Is the problem still there?

Test

Windows firewall--off Avast Free--off Appearance--Default theme Use hardware acceleration--off

FF not working yet.

I just noticed something in Windows firewal

Home or work (prvate) networks--Not connected

Does that affect FF not woking?

Something has to be connected.

Turned on Home or work networks--didn't help, and I still can't get FF to start iin Safe Mode because of the "FF is already running,...." msg.

Getting frustrated--feels like I'm spinnng my wheels and going nowhere.

That "FF is already running,...." did this start after changing the file to .old?

The profile might need some clean up with properties. End the process before stating Firefox->

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-already-running-not-respondi...