Why did Google images suddenly stop loading in Firefox 17?

Question

Suddenly 3 aspects of Google stopped working in Firefox from my home computer:
1) autocomplete predictions
2) images
3) maps
All these features work in IE, just not Firefox.
I have been searching the Internet for a solution, because I was sure it couldn't be "just me." But among all the solutions I've found in various places, none have restored these functions.
I have updated Java and Flash. I have checked security levels. I have tried a new Firefox profile. I have verified that the Enable button next to "Run ActiveX controls and plug-in" is selected, AND that the Enable button next to "Binary and script behaviors" is selected, AND that the Enable button under "Active scripting" is selected.
I've tried other solutions as well, but I don't even remember them all (I know, I should have written them down).

Answer 1

*sigh* Sometimes the simplest...STUPIDEST...solutions fix the problem.
OK, I had read while I was searching for suggestions, that someone had discovered that their computer time was set wrong and this interfered with the java certificate, thus disallowing access to Google maps and Google images thumbnails. I immediately looked at my computer time and saw it was showing the correct time in the XP task bar.
What I didn't see, because I didn't check further, was that it was showing the wrong MONTH. I had used the calendar to look for a date in 2013 and apparently had selected November when I reset it. Once I corrected to December AND synced the Internet time as well, everything went back to normal (of course, duh).
Thank you for your help here. I hope the next person looking for a solution has the sense to check the ENTIRE setting for time and date.