Regarding Safe Mode, I think it lasts until you have closed all Firefox windows. When you start Firefox again, unless you hold the Shift key down when starting it, you will start in normal mode.

Waka,

    Thanks for your reply. I already tried that fix earlier in the week and it did not repair the issue. Thank you.

Rick

firefox get the shockwave player temporary disable when it will get outdated or not compatible. try to update a compatible version of this from adobe site. if it doesn't work try to reset firefox .

jscher2000,

   Thank you for your reply. Ah, now I see. It appears shockwave flash and flash player are one in the same? That would explain why I don't see flash player in my plugins list and I see shockwave flash! Yes, I also see shockwave for director. By the way jscher, just what is shockwave for director, and do I need it? Now that that is now clear, on to the next issue. Unfortunately with my computer skills jscher, I'm going to have trouble with your instructions to disable protection mode. First, when I open an Explorer window, I don't have much of a clue as to how to access a folder. I don't see anywhere in Explorer how to access a folder. Unfortunately while these instructions seem probably very rudimentary to you jsche, they are difficult for me to perform, unfortunately. I guess if maybe you can put on your thinking cap, and try to think of a way to teach someone with little experience in trying to solve these kind of problems that would be of big help. Yes, it may take some possible rethinking on your part to try and step down to my level, but I would like to solve this problem jscher2000. Can you be of additional help? I hope so. Also, I notice this problem of my browser crashing happens fairly regularly when I leave my computer, and return about a half hour later to try and resume work. I didn't have this problem before, maybe several weeks ago, but now I do pretty consistently. Is this possibly tied into my shockwave flash problem, or is this something all together different jscher? Again, thank you very much for your help.

Rick

Hi sciencemagic, let me address two points and hopefully these will get you further along:

(1) what is shockwave for director, and do I need it?

It plays content created in the Director software, and most likely, no you do not.

(2) I don't see anywhere in Explorer how to access a folder.

I mean Windows Explorer (e.g., My Computer) and not Internet Explorer. If you can't find a shortcut to it, you can open a new Windows Explorer window by either of these methods:

• On the keyboard, press the "window" key and E at the same time.
• On the start menu, in the run or search box, type or paste explorer.exe and press Enter

jscher 2000,

     Thanks again for your reply. I think I will try disabling shockwave for director and see what the heck happens; being I probably don't need it. I guess I won't know that until I try though. Yes, I did try and open a window in web browser explorer. Again, jscher I'm sort of new to solving problems with my computer, and therefore I have some limited capabilities. Having said that, I suspect many people don't have the computer skills to navigate through some trouble shooting jscher. I guess they just through their hands in the air and quit, and complain about computers! I will try and perform your instructions jscher. If I get confused, I will contact you. Again, thank you.

Rick

See also:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Using+the+Shockwave+plugin+with+Firefox

jscher2000,

   I followed your instructions, at least I think I did? I believe I was able to complete all the instructions except possibly the last #4. That one got sort of sketchy, and I'm not sure I got it right jscher. But nonetheless, and bottom line, how do I now confirm that protection mode is disabled in flash player jscher? Can you give instructions as to how and check that? Also, if all else fails jscher, how do I install an earlier version of flash player? You mentioned earlier don't try and install 11.2, firefox won't allow it. What earlier version can I use jscher and install in firefox? The Adobe website help center makes it very difficult to try and install an earlier version of flash player. Evidently, they want everybody to use their latest version regardless, and I guess therefore make it difficult to try and install an earlier version? But, can you jscher tell me what version to try with firefox and how to install it on firefox? Thank you.

Rick

jscher,

     Thank you for your reply. When I opened documents and accessed notepad, I can see where I added ProtectMode=0, like you mentioned in the notepad folder. Being it is there and it shows what it is supposed to show, I suppose I'm running flash player in protectmode=0 jscher? But, Adobe says flash player should only be run in protectmode turned off, for a short period of time only. And after the problem is fixed it should be enabled again. That being the case, how is flash player then fixed, so protectmode can be turned back on quickly, like Adobe says should be done? Again, thank you jscher for your help.

Rick

I have no idea whether Adobe will resolve the many issues that have plagued protected mode.

jscher2000,

   I understand who knows about flash player. But, even though it appears I'm now in protect mode=0, I'm still having problems with my computer locking up in Firefox. There are no error messages, my browser starts performing slowly, and if I leave my computer for about half an hour, and then try to continue work, it is locked up jscher. The only way to get things working is to close Firefox and start a new session. I have tried restarting Firefox, as per some instructions on this forum. But, that yielded no results, same problem after a while of running. If I run in safe mode, my system does work, but only for awhile before the problem comes back again. All the problems I've been having with Firefox has developed in the last month jscher. What would be causing my relatively recent Firefox problems jscher. Just what in the world can I do to get my system back to normal? Once again, thank you for your help and patients jscher.

Rick

Hi Rick, when you say you restarted Firefox, did you use the Reset feature described in the following article:

Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

In case these problems are due to external software, you may want to run some supplemental security scans. These three tools are highly regarded (and free):

• Malwarebytes Anti-malware : http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free
• SUPERAntiSpyware : http://www.superantispyware.com/
• AdwCleaner : http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ (ignore banner ads for other products)

Hi jscher2000,

    Been out of town for awhile. Yes, I did use the Firefox reset feature. As mentioned, ultimately it made no difference in my computer performance other than having to reset my computer preferences when it was done. 
   What is external software problems? How could they have crept into my system? Thank you for your help jscher./

Rick

Hi Rick, unwanted software can get installed on your computer through a variety of means. One is downloading new programs.

In an earlier message you mentioned leaving your computer for half an hour. Does Windows go into its "sleep" mode during that time? There are a number of threads on problems with Firefox being very sluggish or nonresponsive for an extended period after emerging from sleep mode.

Hi jscher,

     I understand your comment about how unwanted software can be installed. I guess I should look at your security scans recommendations. 
    Frankly, I'm not sure about my windows sleep mode. How can I check it's setting jscher? I do know, my monitor goes to sleep in about 10 minutes after me leaving it jscher. Not sure though, if that is what you mean by sleep mode. Can you explain how to check my sleep mode jscher? Thank you.

Rick

Hi Rick, I have Windows set to require me to log in after sleep, but yours might not be set that way. Please check your computer documentation on sleep mode, for example, does the power light blink, or does some other change occur indicating whether your computer is asleep.

jscher,

    How do I check my computer documentation on sleep mode jscher? I do know I have the monitor going to sleep after 10 minutes, and a message will appear saying monitor going to sleep. But, again I'm  not sure that is the same thing as my computer sleeping. When I leave my computer for about half an hour, I do notice the power light is in a dim mode, and is not bright. But, I have using that operation for a long time, and I was not experiencing any problems while I clicked on the mouse to start my browsing again after the monitor was asleep jscher. It seems only within the last month this problem has begun and I have been using the monitor sleep mode for some time now, with what I thought were no problems. It has only been again, within the last month that when I try to resume browser operation after my monitor has been sleeping that I can't do so. I have to start a new browser session to get my computer working again jscher. Again, I'm not sure computer sleeping and monitor sleeping are the same thing? Hope you can explain jscher. If I can check my computer sleeping mode and how it is set, let me know how to do so jscher. Thank you.

Rick

Hi Rick, powering down the monitor does not cause the computer to go into sleep mode. I am not able to assist further with your Windows settings. However, I can tell you that Firefox 21-22 being sluggish after waking from sleep is a problem being discussed in several other threads and there currently is not a confirmed solution.

jscher,

    I now know that computer sleeping and monitor sleeping are two different things. Thank you. I did take your advice and run the first option of malwarebytes-anti malware. Yes, problems were found, but I suspect that with that program, as with all those programs like that, they are going to find problems jscher. But, nonetheless I ran it. Do you recommend running the other two options you submitted jscher? I will check in with windows about the possible windows issue jscher. Thank you.

Rick

It's a good idea to run the other two scanners as well, yes.