Firefox - should I just give up?

[DrGonzoLives]

Since having updated it to the newest version over a month ago, I am no longer able to view anything requiring java (like games on Yahoo or crossword puzzles) or flash, despite having updated both. I have no active add-ins running - does Firefox just suck now, or what? Much as I hate the thought of it, I'm tempted to just give up and go back to IE.

[welshTerrier2]

1. worth a shot?

check your Firefox settings to make sure Java is enabled ...

to do this, in Firefox choose "Tools", then "Options" then click the "Content" tab in the popup window ... make sure "Enable Java" is checked ... if it isn't, check it and then click "OK" ...

it might also be worth getting the latest version of Macromedia Flash ... do a Google to find a download site ...

no idea if this will help but it's worth a shot ...

[LiberalUprising]

3. Get Firefox plugins (flash,shockwave, media players ect)

Here
https://pfs.mozilla.org/plugins/

[DrGonzoLives]

5. Did that earlier

In fact, I posted this right after installing all three.

[trotsky]

2. You might want to install Sun's Java Runtime Environment.

This should override any messed-up settings with Firefox.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Look for the link on that page to test if Firefox will support automatic installation. I suspect it will, but try it just to be sure.

[DrGonzoLives]

4. Already done

and still doesn't work.

[trotsky]

6. Have you completely uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled?

Go find your bookmarks.html file and save it, then uninstall Firefox, rename its Program Files folder, rename its profile folder in your Application Settings directory, then reinstall. Worth a try!

[RoyGBiv]

7. Profile ...

Unless it's a strangeness involved some some extension you have installed, it sounds to me like your profile got borked. Things like this are the reason backing up your profile is suggested before any install of a new version.

If you're running XP, the profile is located on your boot drive, probably C:\ at:

C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox

There you'll see some random combination of characters with a .default extension.

With Firefox closed, go in there and take out your bookmarks.html file and save it someplace else. Then delete the folder. Also delete the pluginreg.dat and the profiles.ini file or just rename them something else. Then start Firefox again. It'll start you with a fresh profile. You'll have to "install" the plugins again, but it won't take long. Move your bookmarks.html back into the new "default" profile and all should be good to go. If you won't to go full out from scratch, you could also uninstall then install Firefox itself, but that shouldn't be necessary.

[Nomad559]

8. Try using Opera

It's a much better browser.

http://www.opera.com

:)