firefox - How do I fix a strange browser issue in Windows 8, where only Chrome works?

06
2014-04
  • Bruce Whealton

    This is extremely strange. I like Firefox. I have a strange issue where the only browsers that seem to work are Google Chrome, IE (the latest), and Maxthon browser. When I try to use Firefox, Safari or Opera, I cannot browse to any site. With Firefox it just starts trying to load the first page and then gives me the report that Firefox is not responding. Note, I have a computer with 3rd gen Intel i7 cpu, 16GB Ram, and this happens all the time, not just when the system is under unusual heavy load. It does the same thing in Opera too. So, basically, I can run Chrome and the other browsers mentioned but Firefox will not respond. IE is not quite running right either but it's somewhat intermittent.

    I tried to run Windows Defender to run a virus scan but it reports, "This app has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app... use Action Center to check that apps status." After doing many Google searches with that exact error in the search, I kept getting solutions which said to go to Control Panel and add Windows components. I tried that and yet among all the choices, Windows Defender was not there in any of the folders. I then tried to uninstall every other antivirus software app and that still would not let me run Windows Defender. I couldn't find anything telling me how to turn on Windows Defender.

    Ok, so I looked to see what the best antivirus software was, by going to download.com and snapfiles.com... and filtering based on editor's rating. It seems that Ad-aware Free Antivirus+ was the best one. So, I'm running that and have done a full scan and some quick scans and letting it fix any problems found.

    Still the problem exists with Firefox and Opera. Does anyone have any advice? I had uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled, and used an uninstaller that is supposed to clean up everything, including files, etc. that are not necessarily removed by uninstalling. Then I reinstalled, which obviously didn't fix the problem. I thought of trying that again. I think another uninstaller that I have does a better job of really removing everything when doing an uninstall.
    Should I try different anti-malware software in addition to the Ad-Aware Antivirus? Thanks, Bruce

    • Answers
  • Giancarlo Colfer

    At this point have you considered 'refreshing' your Microsoft Windows 8 Operating System? Instead of prolonging the issue by trying to come up with a solution, resolve the issue within 40 minutes tops with the built-in Microsoft Windows program and 'refresh' your Windows PC.

    "Refreshing your PC reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files and settings. It also keeps the apps that came with your PC and the apps you installed from the Windows Store."

    Please note, if you're having problems with your PC, you can try to refresh, reset, or restore it. Refreshing your PC reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files and settings. It also keeps the apps that came with your PC and the apps you installed from the Windows Store. Resetting your PC reinstalls Windows but deletes your files, settings, and apps—except for the apps that came with your PC. Restoring your PC is a way to undo recent system changes you've made.

    How to refresh, reset, or restore your Microsoft Windows PC

  • Dan M.

    I am sure you will not be happy with the following answer, but sometimes trying to solve this kind of problem (and the research that comes with it) takes so much more than just installing a fresh copy of Windows.

    If you can be sure it's a OS issue (which seems to be the case), take a deep breath and start fresh.


    • Related Question

    How can I get a new browser session when opening a new tab or window on Firefox/Chrome?
  • Mercer Traieste

    When opening new Internet Explorer window, a new browser session is issued. Therefore you can login with two different accounts on the same service (let's say gmail). The same does not apply when opening a new tab in the same window on IE.

    How can I get a new browser session when opening a new tab or window on Firefox?

    How about Google Chrome?


    • Related Answers
  • Robert Ivanc

    In Chrome you can use private browsing to achieve the same.

    Chrome - Wrench(tools) menu/open new window without history

    In Firefox you can use IE tab extension, and have another tab rendered with an IE engine to achieve the same effect.

    Here are some other options: http://www.computer-realm.net/managing-multiple-gmail-accounts-with-firefox/

  • Ivo Flipse

    It seems that there is a handy chrome extension called "Session Buddy" that does just this

    enter image description here

    Session Buddy is a flexible session management extension that allows you to easily save, edit, and restore your browser sessions.

    • Quickly save the current session from the Session Buddy interface or from the right-click menu on any web page.
    • Flexible restore options allow restore of sessions into the original set of windows, a single window, or the current window.
    • Automatic capture of your 10 most recent sessions is especially handy for recovering a session after a browser or system crash.
    • Name and edit your saved sessions with ease.
    • Populate a session from a simple list of URLs.
    • Export a session to text or CSV format (more formats in development).
    • Control the types of tabs that Session Buddy recognizes.
    • Keyboard shortcuts make working with sessions a snap.
  • random

    For Google Chrome, you can set a shortcut to open up an Incognito session via the following:

    "C:\path-to\chrome.exe" /incognito

    Or simply CTRL + Shift + N while using the normal state. Only difference is that when you're incognito, the cookies and history won't stick.

  • jonsca

    By creating multiple profiles in the profile manager (firefox -p from start menu) and then creating a MOZ_NO_REMOTE environment variable with a value of 1, Firefox will allow multiple sessions in multiple windows.

    I've tried it myself with Firefox 8 and it works. I have an web application that has no logout button, and before I found this I had to keep opening and closing Firefox completely to switch between accounts (admin and user for testing). This has helped greatly.

  • galacticninja

    This Firefox extension allows that:

    Multifox

    Multifox is an extension that allows Firefox to connect to websites using different user names. Simultaneously!

    For example, if you have multiple Gmail accounts, you can open them all at the same time. Each Firefox window, managed by Multifox, accesses an account without interfering each other

    Each Multifox window is flagged with a number indicating the identity profile. Logins made in windows with different numbers are isolated.

    Logins are preserved the same way they are in “regular” windows. Even if you close the window or quit Firefox.

    The identity profile of each window is preserved when Firefox restores the session.

    It can also easily switch between profiles:
    enter image description here

  • Brad

    I have made a Chrome extension that allows you to use multiple Gmail accounts (and other accounts) by launching Chrome in a new session.

    It is called New Chrome Session, and you can download it here: http://www.musatcha.com/software/NewChromeSession/

  • elijabaley

    With firefox this solution worked like a charme!!

    http://www.fusioncube.net/index.php/multiple-sessions-firefox

    It's almost the same of what proposed in the answer by "Shawn" "MOZ_NO_REMOTE environment variable with a value of 1" It adds an advice for creating multiple links on desktop for opening the different firefox sessions

  • HackToHell

    Chrome is bringing multi profile. Already available in canary builds. You can switch profile instantly.