Firefox opens according to my task manager, but will not appear on my desktop.
My windows XP computer refuses to show Firefox on my desktop. Task Manager shows firefox.exe active and using about 43 meg of memory. I have tried Firefox 4 and Firefox 3.6. Using XP sp3 on this computer. Have scanned using Avast AV and Malwarebytes. I have 4 gig of memory on this computer. I do not receive any error messages.
All Replies (4)
See if there is a Firefox listed in your Start Menu. If not, go to the Programs List there > Right click Firefox>Pin to Start Menu.
In either case, drag the Firefox icon from the Start Menu(it won't actually move) to Desktop to create the shortcut.
Hi alan_r, Thanks for trying to help. The problem is not that I don't have the icon. Firefox simply refuses to open on my desktop. Clicking any of the icons causes it to open in the background, but I can't see it. Task Manager shows it open. Then I "End Process" and start over to no avail.
Could be a problem with your Firewall. Eliminate all references to Firefox and Plug-in container. The Firewall should ask for permission and re-set if Firefox starts. Try disabling Firewall and Anti-virus briefly.
Try starting in Safe Mode - Hold Shift key down as you double click on your Firefox desktop icon> don't check anything on the page that opens>Continue. Actually this is probably the best place to start.
If Fx works in Safe Mode you probably have a problem with one of your extensions or a conflict. Remember that all sorts of things have been up-dated as well as Firefox.
Along the way make sure your Plug-ins(like Flash) are up-to-date.
Be suspicious of third-party toolbars and try disabling them.
This won't be the specific problem but if you get Firefox going you should try disabling Hardware Acceleration to see if it runs better - Options>Advanced>General>browsing>uncheck "Use Hardware Acceleration . . . If it does run better you should update your graphics card.
This is the standard troubleshooting you may have to work through -
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20extensions%20and%20themes
Another suggestion you may get, certainly when all else fails, is to download a new full Firefox installer to your desktop. Uninstall your old Firefox, don't delete your preferences etc; and then install your new Firefox.
Modified by alan_r
Hi alan_r, Thank you for taking all the time to help. I tried all your suggestions and none worked. I am seriously thinking of re-installing my OS. I just recently found a couple of other quirks that are making me think. A clean registry might be the best (if most time consuming) solution. Thanks again.