Firefox can't open Download list, any dialogue box, or half of Tools - Options without freeezing and crashing?

I'm currently running Firefox 3.6.1 and cannot open my Download List, start a Download, open any Dialogue box ("Browse", etc) or access the first half of my tabs in Tools ->Options without Firefox freezing. I have to manually terminate the process on Control Panel. 2 instances of Downloads and Firefox show up in Applications, and after I close Firefox, I get the message "plugin_container.exe crashed." I'm currently forced to using IE8 for downloading any files, which is annoying and cumbersome at best. Currently running XP SP3.

I have a similar problem. Even though Word is listed under Firefox applications as opening .doc files, when I try to download a .doc file, it always asks me to choose an application and I have to go through an extra three steps to open Word.

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Firefox freezes trying to download or save files, Import/Export bookmarks, clicking (Tools) Options (was: Fire Fox crashes in Windows safe mode and in Firefox Safe mode)

Hi
XP sp3 4gb ram
Firefox 6.0.2
Firefox crashes every time I do any of the following. Then I have to force quit Fire fox.
If i click a download link on a web page, Firefox freezes the instant I click the link
...but Firefox does not freeze if I click a web link on a web page or page navigation link.
If i go to the Menu bar > Tools > Options, Firefox freezes the instant I select Options from the Tools menu.
...but Firefox does not freeze if select any other item from the Tools menu.
If I go to the Menu bar > File, Firefox instantly freezes the instant I select either "Save Page as..." or "Open file..."
...but Firefox does not freeze if I select any other option from the File menu such as: New Tab, New Window, Send Link, page Setup, Print, Exit etc
If I go the Menu Bar > Bookmarks > Show all Bookmarks > Import and Backup, Firefox instantly freezes the second I select "Import" or "Export"
... but Firefox does not freeze if I select any other command in the Bookmarks sub menus, nor does it freeze if I back out of the menu entirely.
Same as above for History if I select "Import" or "Export"
...so I have isolated the problem to a limited number of commands in Firefox that cause Firefox to freeze... described above. Everything else in Firefox works fine.
HERE IS A SUMMARY OF WHAT CAUSES THE FREEZING:
• Clicking a download link on a webpage
• Going to the Menu Bar > File and selecting "save as" or "Open File"
• Going to the Menu bar > Tools and selecting Options.
• Going to Bookmarks > Show all Bookmarks > Import and Backup and selecting either "Import" or "Export"
• Same as above for History if I select "Import" or "Export"
Everything else in Firefox works fine. I went through every menu command and checked for freezes. Only the commands I mentioned above cause the freezing.
I tried the following to try to fix it:
• Reset my modem and router (Problem still exists)
• Uninstalled FF. Deleted folders, profiles (Downloads.sqlite), Registry entries. Reinstalled. (Problem still exists)
• Restarted FF in Firefox safe mode. (Problem still exists)
• Restarted in Windows Safe mode and then started FF in Firefox safe mode (Problem still exists)
• Disabled Window firewall. Disabled ZoneAlarm firewall, Shutdown ZoneAlarm firewall. Set Internel Options to default settings. (Problem still exists)
• I reset the config option: browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone to false
What does work?
• Firefox does not crash when I click a link an go a website, navigate a page, use a menu item command.
• Firefox works fine on my other computer.
• Internet Explorer works fine on the computer that Firefox is having a problem on.
• My other applications work fine on the computer that Firefox is having a problem on.
I want to add that, I just overcame the XP Recovery Virus by following a post that suggested running the following software to fix the virus. Everything seems back to normal except Firefox.
The software I ran to fix the problem are listed below:
• malwarebytes
• superantispyware
• ccleaner
• combofix.
• smart defrag
• then load a good anti-virus. (I ran Zone Alarm virus scan)

Hi.
This is about a question you posted to the Firefox Support forum three months ago (I'm sorry you never got an answer).
Did you ever fix the problem where Firefox freezes or hangs, when clicking a download link or using (File menu) "save as" or "open file"? Or when going to the Firefox (Tools) menu and clicking Options ? Or trying to Import or Export bookmarks?
I found this thread searching for a solution for someone on MozillaZine's support forum who's having a similar issue. See this thread: (maybe something he's tried that didn't work for him will work for you?)
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2382953&start=15
<br>Cannot download or click tools -> options

I am getting an error message that "A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time" and I don't have any copy open.

I am getting an error message that "A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time" and I don't have any copy open. How do I correct this problem? I really like firefox because it runs many technical programs on the web that do not work with safari. I have FireFox version 32.0.1 installed on my MacPro PowerBook OS X 10.7.5. My activity monitor does not show any FireFox activity, so do not know what it is seeing

This worked, I used the method described in this link http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=365156, and opened the Mozilla profile screen with the terminal on my mac, using the language given in the links. Then I duplicated my original profile to save the bookmarks, etc. Put them in a folder listed Duplicate profile with the date. With the open profile screen, I deleted my original profile, created new profile folder and then a new profile. Note that profile cannot be created in the system library, it must be created on the disc, because the library will not allow writing into it. After I created my new profile folder, I dragged all my old information into it, and it worked. Firefox closed and the error disappeared. You must be VERY careful to make sure Firefox is closed anytime you are doing anything with the profile folders. I think that is what caused my original problem.

The Java plugin has created a time unfriendly issue with my e-mail account, I can not open or send any e-mail without using this plugin, how can I eliminate this problem without dropping m. firefox?

A few days ago I tried to e-mail a friend, when I started A box came up and it required me to add a plugin..Java. I contacted my e-mail courier and microsoft, they told me that is was a plugin from Mozilla Firefox. Since then I must go through Java to send or open an e-mail... this is NOT to my satisfaction, it takes too long for all of this to open and if it is not cleared , I am dropping Mozilla and going elsewhere. Why has this occurred? Is this a result of the last update? If so can I delete the last update and continue on the other version?
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== last week

Sorry, I have no idea what you mean by '''"The Java plugin has created a time unfriendly issue with my e-mail account, I can not open or send any e-mail without using this plugin,"'''.
If you think your problem is caused by the Java plugin, you should visit the Java support forum for assistance.
http://forum.java.sun.com/index.jspa
If you could explain what you mean by '''"time unfriendly''' issue with my e-mail account", maybe we'll be able to help you solve that issue.
It might be helpful for us if we knew exactly which web-mail provider you are using. It seems strange to me that viewing or sending web-mail would actually "need" Java for operation, its more likely that some other item on the web page needs Java to run some advertising or other garbage that isn't a necessary part of the web-mail functionality you want to use.

I can't open downloaded files within Mozilla Firefox Particularly PDF files. I have Adobe Acrobat on my machine . Do I need to import it to firefox if so how do I do it ?

I can't open downloaded files within Mozilla Firefox Particularly PDF files. I have Adobe Acrobat on my machine . Do I need to import it to firefox if so how do I do it ?

Delete a possible user.js file 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
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 the problem
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

OK FIREFOX WILL NOT LET ME DO ANY THING I LOG INTO MY MAIL N I CAN NOT OPEN IT,DELETE ANY OF IT, I CAN NOT PLAY ANY GAMES NOTHING WHAT IS GOING ON

OK FIREFOX WILL NOT LET ME DO ANY THING I LOG INTO MY MAIL N I CAN NOT OPEN IT,DELETE ANY OF IT, I CAN NOT PLAY ANY GAMES NOTHING WHAT IS GOING ON

See these: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remarkit-virus-removal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w36xK_4PiO8

When I try to open firefox I get the error message "A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time," I don't have any firefox things running.

I had the problem of firefox just not starting at all before, so I deleted my profile. Now I just get the message "A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time." But I checked my activity monitor and there are no processes operating under firefox, what do I do?

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

I try to open Firefox. Get error message saying Firefox is already running and needs to close - another error message say Firefox can't open

Turned on laptop (rebooted) after being away from it for a few hours. Went to open my home page. Error message popped up saying Firefox is already running and must be closed. I closed it and another error message popped up saying Firefox can't open - incomplete or missing files.
I went into Processes to close Firefox. Selected 'end process' but nothing happened.
Tried to use Internet Explorer but it just gets hung up. Cannot access anything.
And, because I can't open Firefox, I can't go a refresh.
Everything was working just fine a few hours ago.
Any thoughts?

What is the computer system and Firefox on the bad computer?
Separate Issue;
Your System Details on this computer shows;
Multiple versions of your Adobe programs.
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.
Go to '''adobe.com''' and download the full installers after removing
all of the old programs.
Start '''[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode Firefox in Safe Mode]''' {web Link} by holding down the '''<Shift><br> ''(Mac Options)'' ''' key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?
This is not a cure but will make it easier if Firefox locks up in Windows.
'''https://support.mozilla.org/questions/997866''' {web link}

Firefox can't open PDF links that have been rewritten in .htcaccess

I have a Wordpress multi-site, and my problem is that Firefox can't open any of the PDFs that I have there. I get a dark-gray screen and it says "This PDF document might not be displayed correctly", but I am able to download it. In .htaccess I have this rewrite rule for files:
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?files/(.+) wp-includes/ms-files.php?file=$2 [L]
The thing is that if I write the actual path to the file it opens it in preview just fine. Also, Chrome and IE don't have this problem.

Hello,
In order to change the default reader for PDF files (to not open PDF files with Firefox's internal PDF reader), follow these steps:
#Go to ''Tools'' > ''Options'' (or ''Firefox'' > ''Options'').
#In the Options window, select the ''Applications'' tab.
#In the ''Search'' field, type ''PDF''. You should find ''Portable Document Format (PDF)''.
#On the right handside you should find an ''Action'' column. Use that to select your favorite PDF reader. In order to view PDF files in Firefox, choose ''Preview in Firefox''.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thank you.

Firefox can't open normally without going through the "this is embarrassing" routine; nor does it close down properly; it also sticks frequently, i.e. screen freezes for a minute or more; should I uninstall and re-install to try and debug?

Firefox can't open normally without going through the "this is embarrassing" routine; nor does it close down properly; I get the "end program" message and have to say "end now"it also sticks frequently, i.e. screen freezes for a minute or more; should I uninstall and re-install to try and debug?
- I've used Firefox exclusively for around 2 years.
- My outlook express has no problems
- other programs seem unaffected; it seems peculiar to Firefox.
- my main use is surfing the net, primarily entering competitions on line via specialist competition sites.
- every day at some stage(s) I have to switch computer off as Firefox has got very slow/sticky/freezes.
I'm not techy by any means, but I can only thing of un- and re-installing to hopefully start with a clean slate.

Sounds like something is keeping Firefox from closing properly. See this: <br />
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+hangs#Hang_at_exit

When I click on the icon to open Firefox I get an error message " A copy of Firefox is already open, only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time".

I have tried to download and run Firefox on my MAC OS 10.6.7 several times and have run into this error message every time:
"A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time". A search through the computer does not fine another copy of Firefox and there is no window open or evidence of the program open.
When I got this computer a year ago I copied the hard drive from the old computer onto the new and the old computer had a copy of Firefox on it and the program worked on that computer. It would not run on the new computer so I thought maybe it was due to the Intel chip so I deleted the program and downloaded the newest version at the time. This is when I started getting the error message and subsequent attempts have yielded the same results.
Can you be of help?

See:
* https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding

When I try to open Firefox 3.6 (Mac) by clicking on the icon, I get this message: "Close Firefox: A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time." I've removed older versions and restarted, but still get this message. Wh

I've just downloaded Firefox 3.6 (Mac). When I attempt to open, this message pops up: "Close Firefox: A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time." I've removed older versions and restarted, but still get this message. What's going on?
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== after I downloaded the latest version. ==
== User Agent ==
Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_3; en-us) AppleWebKit/531.22.7 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Safari/531.22.7

You might find your solution in [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use this article].

A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time. I GET THIS MESSAGE - BUT FIREFOX APPEARS NOT TO BE OPEN.????????

i have already deleted (trashed) all versions of firefox, and then re-downloaded the new Firefox, and when i try to open it, i get the message, "A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time."

Make sure you allow Firefox a few minutes to close down,and always use the menu options to close Firefox (Not just closing a window or killing the process).
Just for now Look for Firefox processes or plugin container that are still running and kill them before trying again.
* see [["Firefox is already running but is not responding" error message - How to fix it]]
** and also [[Firefox hangs or is not responding - How to fix]] <br />& http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs#Multiple_sessionstore.js_files

A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time. I cannot find the open one. was having some problems. deleted and trying to re-install. I get this message each time

Some web pages did not load correctly. (on Imac). Deleted Firefox and moved Profile to another drive to backup.
Downloaded new Firefox. When I try to install, I keep getting this message-"A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time."
I went in and searched for all occurrences of Firefox or Mozilla and deleted.
It will still not load.

I cannot get Firefox to run now. I backed up my Profile to another drive. Cannot create a new one as Firefox will not run. It says there is another copy running. However, I have deleted all Firefox and Mozilla files and downloaded new. When I try to run it, I get the message to close Firefox as two cannot run at once.
I did create a new Mac account logon and can run Firefox there, so something in the other account is showing Firefox is running.
I also checked in ACTIVITY MONITOR and in SETUP and there is no Firefox or Mozilla running.
So, where can this bug be hiding????

I get a dialog box with a copy of firefox is open and only one copy of firefox can be open at one time.

I get a dialog box with the following: "a copy of firefox is open and only one copy of firefox can be opened at one time."
I do not see where firefox is open.
How do get back into firefox so that i can read the links that are in my emails?
Thank you.

Sometimes when FF is closing, not all of it shuts down properly.
On Windows, start the '''Task Manager''' (Other systems may have
different names and / or commands). Select '''Processes'''.
Look down the list for Firefox. Right click and select '''End Task'''.
If this problem keeps coming up, ask for more help.

Firefox can't open Download list, any dialogue box, or half of Tools - Options without freeezing and crashing?

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