Firefox grinding to a halt

D

Delboy

Member
I have recently found that Firefox come to a complete stop after using it for 15min or so and it will do nothing. If I go to task manager and end process it disapears from the sceen but remains in the list and cant be deleted or restarted.
The only way to get rid of it is shut down but that takes forever too.
I have tryed uninstalling and reinstalling but keeping my history and it made no difference.
Anybody got any ideas what I can do?
 
That is a strange problem.

My first instinct tells me malware... Have you tried running Malwarebyte's Antimalware in safemode? Why don't you run HijackThis! and post your log here...

Also, what kind of sites are you visiting? Anything that might be throwing an error w/ a plugin or something? Does the browser freeze even if you let it sit idle for 15 minutes?

Do other programs freeze, such as Internet Explorer? If so, then you may have a memory or hardware issue...

Have you tried reinstalling Firefox? Are you using the latest version (3.6)?

Let me know. :D
 
Yes I think its some kind of malware, I have run Malwarebyte's Antimalware, it took an hour and a half but didnt find anything.
I have also ran SuperAntiware which found a few tracking cookies but thats all
The grinding to a halt is quite variable in length, not just 15 min and doesnt really happen unless I am surfin.
It doesnt seem to happen to MS IE...so far.
Here is the result of HijackThis>>

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 17:13:41, on 19/03/2010
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18882)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\RtHDVCpl.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TPwrMain.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERANTISPYWARE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Mail\WinMail.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Taskmgr.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil9f.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = Preserve
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: AskBar BHO - {201f27d4-3704-41d6-89c1-aa35e39143ed} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker Toolbar - {3041d03e-fd4b-44e0-b742-2d9b88305f98} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [toolbar_eula_launcher] c:\tb_eula\EULALauncher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPwrMain] %ProgramFiles%\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TPwrMain.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IndexSearch] C:\Program Files\Scansoft\PaperPort\IndexSearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PP8 Reminder] "C:\Program Files\Scansoft\PaperPort\WebEreg\NAVBrowser.exe" -r "C:\Program Files\Scansoft\PaperPort\WebEreg\navLoad.ini"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG9_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Picasa Media Detector] C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Picasa Media Detector] C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: TRDCReminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TRDCReminder\TRDCReminder.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA Navi Support Service (TNaviSrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA DVD PLAYER\TNaviSrv.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA Optical Disc Drive Service (TODDSrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\TODDSrv.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA Power Saver (TosCoSrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - c:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TosCoSrv.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA SMART Log Service - TOSHIBA Corporation - c:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\SMARTLogService\TosIPCSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Check Point Software Technologies LTD - C:\Windows\System32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

--
End of file - 5962 bytes

I am using version 3.6 of Firefox
 
Well firstly stop running 2 AVs they tend to fight with one another and its a waste of resources.
Commodo or AVG are the best free AVs. Commodo is a wonderful AV/Firewall for free.

Also same problem when you run Firefox in "safe mode"?
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Safe+Mode

What addons/scripts you using with Firefox. Also save your bookmarks and fully remove everything on Firefox. It keeps some files on your PC so manually find them and delete them too.
Another thought is you say rebooting also takes forever? Could perhaps be a ram issue...Download this and burn it to a CD then boot up and when it asks run it. http://www.memtest.org/

Let it do 1-2 passes (2-3 hours so do it before bed is the best method) and see if any issues come up.


This issue happen with other browsers like Chrome / Opera / IE?
 
well looking at your log i would recommend getting rid of these two

O2 - BHO: AskBar BHO - {201f27d4-3704-41d6-89c1-aa35e39143ed} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
Click to expand...

O3 - Toolbar: ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker Toolbar - {3041d03e-fd4b-44e0-b742-2d9b88305f98} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
Click to expand...
 
OK thanks for the advice guys, I have tried a few things as suggested and also removed the two items from the log.

Just to clarify I have never run Firefox in safe mode!

I have no 'add on extensions' enabled

The only 'add on plugins' I have are Windows media player firefox plugin 1.0.0.8.
Mozilla default plugin 1.0.0.15
And shockwave Flash 10.0.45.2

I dont think I have a memory problem as I dont generally have much running on my computer and the long shutdowns only occur when firefox has jammed and cant be shut down.

It has remained pretty variable but I have noticed that it often jams while navigating round Friends Reunited website after having run for over an hour without problem.

When it does occur I can just open MS IE or opera and carry on but I prefere firefox and it has all my history in it which the other two dont.

I may have to bite the bullet and just strip every bit of firefox off and start again. But if its a bug its probably not in the firefox folder and I think it may be a waste of time.
 
Update, I uninstalled firefox and deleted the remaining folder/files from my system. Then downloaded a fresh copy and it has still locked up :(

Not really sure what else I can do now other than posting a question on the Mozilla forum for any other ideas. :(
 
Well, did you try uninstalling AVG and Zonealarm and SuperAntiSpyware and Windows Defender? I mean, I'm all about protecting a system, but sheesh...

Completely remove all of these and surf for a day and see if you have any problems. Then you can reinstall either Zonealarm or AVG - not both. And you can reinstall SuperAntiSpyware and Windows Defender if you must, but don't allow them to run at startup.

Seriously - if you just don't download stuff from sites/people you do not trust and keep your system up to date, you probably don't need any of that crap. I haven't used an AV or a malware scanner/remover proactively in over five years, and I'm yet to catch an infection. (I still scan w/ Malwarebyte's Antimalware every few months just to check).

Those programs are just running in the background eating resources and since you have so many similar programs, likely causing conflicts w/ eachother (namely Zonealarm and AVG).

Uninstall all that crap for a day or two and see if Firefox still freezes up. Then post back. :D
 
Actually I didnt consider that AVG or Malwarebyte's or superAntiSpyware were doing anything unless I opened them to do a scan, so didnt consider a conflict. The only firewall I have running is Zone alarm....I think.

I am pretty careful about what I download and sites I get programs from but I have been severely attacked by 'innocent looking' sites from google searches before, admittedly thats rare.

I accept what you have said and have now deleted AVG and Malwarebyte's. I would certainly like to reduce the number of programs that open on startup. Can you advise how?
 
Well, you can do the following:

Go to Start-->Control Panel-->Add and Remove Programs--> Select all of the aforementioned programs and Uninstall them.

Then, go to Start-->Run-->type in 'msconfig' and hit <enter>

In the Startup tab, check everything that you do not need running in the background at startup and click "Disable All." Then, in the Services tab, check Hide All Microsoft Services, check everything that you do not need running in the background at startup and click "Disable All." Restart the computer.

Be forewarned that you may need certain programs to run at startup, especially display drivers, etc. If you do not feel comfortable removing startup entries on your own, please do the following:

Download the HijackThis executable from here: http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/ (executable is on the right).
Run HijackThis! and press the button labeled "Open the Misc Tools Section". Then check both the check boxes next to the "Generate StartupList Log" button and click the button. Click the button to generate the list, save it and upload it as an attachment to your next post, and I or some other forum member will advise you on what to disable.

I personally just disable *everything*, reboot the computer, and then start re-enabling startup processes as I find I need them. But whatever floats your boat. ;)
 
OK I have tried to run hijackThis as you suggested but I keep getting an error message.

Cannot find C:\Program File\Trend Micro\HijackThis\startuplist.txt file, Do you want to create?

When I try to create the file in the required directory it tells me that I dont have permission or it does nothing!!!
 
C:\Program File\Trend Micro\HijackThis\startuplist.txt
Click to expand...

Try "Program Files" (plural)

Also, are you logged in as administrator in safe mode? If not, please reboot the computer, press F8 repeatedly until a black-and-white menu comes up, and choose "Safe Mode with Networking" and then follow the steps suggested. Thanks!
 
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