"memory error at 0x0237a33c", task manager, & Java

Question

The past couple weeks, I've often been getting an error message when closing Firefox. I'd estimate that it happens 1:3 times. The message reads: "Firefox.exe - Application error. Instruction at 9x6200389e referenced memory at 0x0237a33c. The memory could not be read. Click OK to terminate the program."
I haven't really modified the computer, except for Windows & anti-virus program updates. The only thing I've really messed with is cleaning out the Windows Temp file now & then.
Then yesterday, I happened to bring up the Task Manager after I got the Firefox error. Even though Firefox was closed, Task Manager showed 4 Firefox processes running. I shut all of them down, & when I opened Firefox, it appeared in Task Manager. When I closed Firefox, it still showed in Task Manager. When I reopened Firefox, it showed up as a 2nd Firefox process in Task Manager. Again, when I closed Firefox, none of the Firefox processes in Task Manager closed or ended; they all remained running.
I've been checking Task Manager often since & it's still the same thing. I downloaded Firefox 12 & I'm still getting the same error message. Firefox is still shown as running in Task Manager even though it's been closed. Also, since I updated Firefox 11 to Firefox 12, I checked my add-ons. It said my Java was outdated & disabled. Do I really need this? (I don't see Java listed under Programs in the Control Panel either.)

Answer 1

Try to start Firefox in [[Safe mode|Safe mode]]. This mode disables all extensions, user customizations, hardware acceleration, etc. temporarily for diagnostic and troubleshooting. If Firefox works fine in Safe Mode, then this is likely an add-on issue. Restart Firefox in normal mode, then type "About:addons" (without the quotes) in the address bar. Disable your extensions one by one, restarting Firefox between each one, until you find the trouble maker. Once you do, you can disable that add-on and report the issue to that add-on's developer.
A few other basic trouble shooting things you can try is this:
Run all Windows Updates, install all needed service packs, etc.
Update your graphics driver (Firefox uses your graphics card for some rendering, and an out of date graphics card driver can cause problems. [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-upgrade-my-graphics-drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-upgrade-my-graphics-drivers].
Update all your plugins (Flash, Java, etc.): [http://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/ http://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/].
Download and Install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, run a full Scan. [http://www.malwarebytes.org/ http://www.malwarebytes.org/]. This helps check that there are no viruses on your computer causing issues. You can uninstall this program after you clean off any infections.
As for Java, it is needed to display some content on certain websites (example, Pogo games uses it for their online games). Old versions of Java were disabled due to major security flaws. If you aren't using Java, you don't have to have it installed, so it's up to you :) If you do want it, go to [http://www.java.com www.java.com] to get the most recent version.