If you right click it and choose Maximize, does that open it?

No it doesn't

OK, go to Task Manager and click End Task. If that doesn't terminate the browser, click the Processes tab, find firefox.exe in the list, right click it and choose Kill Process.

Then reboot and try and open it again.

That isn't the problem. I can close ff. I can't maximize it for use. It remains on the taskbar but will not maximize.

Does this happen with IE8 as well, or only with Firefox?

If IE8 is internet explorer, no, I'm responding with that now.

Only with Firefox.

Can you try starting Firefox in Safe Mode. To do that, hold down SHIFT while you click the desktop shortcut or quick launch icon. Then click the Continue without making changes button.

If it works in that configuration, then one of your add-ons is the culprit.

I dont know 'Continue without making changes" is

See Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode There's a picture of it in there.

Doesn't happen.

What doesn't?

I only get a drop down window while holding down shift and firefox. Not the Safe mode window you refer to.

Can you right click the Firefox shortcut on your desktop and go to Properties. In the Run field, make sure it says "Normal Window" and not "Minimized".

It already does say Normal Window

Please create a new Profile to see if that fixes the problem. See Managing Profiles

Oh boy! I'll try.

I can't follow it the instructions. Just don't understand it.

OK, I'll write them here for you. Copy these because you can only create a new Profile after you close Firefox.

• Click Start, then Run.
• In the Run field, copy/paste the following: firefox.exe -ProfileManager
• You'll see the dialog box shown @ Starting the profile manager appear.
• Click "Create Profile"
• The Wizard will launch with the name "Default User". You can use that, or change it to something else like huskerdu if you want to.
• Click Finish.

• Click Start, then Run again. If firefox.exe -ProfileManager is not displayed, add it again and click OK.
• Click the Profile you just created and then remove the checkmark where it says Don't Ask On Startup. Then click Start Firefox.

if it launches correctly, then you'll have to move all your settings to the new Profile, but we're not at that stage yet.

I've copied your instructions. In my search I found that xul.dll was missing from the crt. Well I ran a "fix" program, and ff opened on a full screen. HOWEVER, I'm not sure it's working the same as before. I'll be holding on the the instructions and I may try to create a new profile after I copy all my saved stiff. I've been using Foxfire for more than ten years. I can't imagine losing it. The expression "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I hope they just LEAVE IT ALONE.