Laptop computer gremlins

[wagonmaster2]

Sometime in the last month or so, probably after the last Firefox update, funny things started happening. First thing, I noticed whenever I do a search here or on RV.Net as soon as I started typing my name the computer would finish it and now it doesn't. After being here on IRV2 and then shut down for the night using "Sleep" or "Hibernate" the next time I go to IRV2 it asks me to Log In every time. It's never done that before either, I've just always been loged in, and I've been in the Forum for at least 2 years. Also when ever I'm posting to a Forum, lots of times I can be 2-4 words ahead before the wording shows, and believe me I'm not a fast typist.

I'm not sure I understand "cookies", but if something is eliminating and clearing them all the time could this affect anything. I've noticed lately also that my Webroot Spysweeper when doing its daily sweep may go several days without eliminating anything or only 3-5 items when it used to eliminate 15-20 items every day.

I've done a disc clean, and a defrag but that didn't seem to make any difference. Someone said maybe I had too little storage space and should eliminate all unnecessary programs but heavens I'd have no idea what I need and what I don't. I'd go back and Restore to the first of December but I'm afraid I'd really screw something up that I couldn't fix.

My Internet server is AT&T but I also have access to the Internet through a city wide free wireless system and it doesn't seem to make any difference which one I'm using to surf the Internet.

I hope at least some of this makes sense, I'm pretty computer illiterate and not up on all the terminology.

Thanks for any help, suggestions, or information.

Wagonmaster2

[bdpreece]

I only recently started using firefox so I don't know what happens when you upgrade to the latest version since that is the one I loaded. However; If you go to tools-options-privacy under options for history make sure the drop down says remember history. Under tools-options-security make sure remember passwords is checked. Also on my system when I go to a site for the first time it get a bar right below the toolbars asking me if I want to remember the password for this site. Hope that helps.

[Doc Mark]

Hi Wagonmaster2 - sometimes a Firefox update will clean your cache, thereby dumping all the cookies that allow you to automatically log in. A cookie is a small text file that stores your login information on your hard drive. When you go to a site, the site looks to see if there is a cookie of theirs stored. If so, it retrieves the information & logs you in automatically.

The ability to fill in text as you type is called auto-fill & in Firefox it is controlled via Tools> Options> Advanced> General Tab - Put a check in the box called Search for text when I start Typing.

You don't say what your operating system is so I can't comment on why auto-fill isn't working in your web browser.

There have been a lot of reports of problems when users have awakened their machines from Sleep or Hibernate. I too have had some, so as a preventive I no longer use them. When I'm done I just turn the machine off.

Hope this helps.

[Triker56]

3.5.7 is the latest Firefox

[wagonmaster2]

Sorry I wasn't more explicit, which shows you how much I really know about computers. I have a 3 year old HP Pavilion dv6000 using Vista Home edition.

I usually use Sleep or Hibernate instead of turning it off completely is so my Minimized sites will still be there when I come back. And I've always wondered which is worse on a computer, leaving it on all the time or turning it off every time you're through with it.

I haven't done the 3.5.6 yet and now its saying to go to 3.5.7. Some of these upgrades are kind of like having a mechanic work on your vehicle while you're not watching then wondering later just what he really did or didn't do to it. I just never know what to expect after an upgrade, and occasionally I'm not very happy with the end results.

Thanks for the responses, I'll try your suggestions.

Wagonmaster2

[wagonmaster2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Mark Hi Wagonmaster2 - The ability to fill in text as you type is called auto-fill & in Firefox it is controlled via Tools> Options> Advanced> General Tab - Put a check in the box called Search for text when I start Typing. Hope this helps.

This was the only Box I found unchecked. Will see what happens now. Thanks.

Wagonmaster2

[Ray,IN]

Leaving a computer running means using power. Unless you switch it on/off several times a day it does no harm. Every computer should be powered off once each day to allow some updates to install and re-configure programs. If you don't already, download(freeware) CCleaner, Malwarebytes, and spybot search and control to use on a regular basis to keep your computer free of harmful "bugs" that at a minimum slow it down.

[steelheadbluesman]

Ccleaner's job is to eliminate all the unsaved cookies and temporary internet files and other junk from the internet. But, Ccleaner lets you save cookies BEFORE you run the cleaner, which will probably stop your login issues. Just start saving all cookies from places you trust and frequent. If you do this the first twenty times you use it, and then every once in a while later, your logins will run smoothly. Just click the "options" button on the left menu when the interface window comes up. Then migrate the cookies you want to keep stored from the left side list to the right side list. It's a great little utility, I use it daily. Also, I've used Mozilla Firefox and Tbird AND all the updates and upgrades for ten years and have had no problems after changes. I don't think your upgrades are the problem.

[SSteve]

Wagonmaster,

I too had many "new and improved" problems with my PC after upgrading to Firefox 3.5. My issues included Firefox freezing up, exiting on its own and incompatibilities with a number of web sites. It had been completely stable and error free (if you don't count the well known memory leak) up until the upgrade.

I looked up my issue on line. Firefox pretty much was saying it was a virus, plug-in or other issues beyond their control. After trying most of the recommended resolutions (none worked, by the way) I hunted down and installed version 3.0.1.5. The first thing I did after insuring my issues were gone was to go into the settings and disable the automatic update feature since, on my system, Firefox upgraded whether I wanted to, or not.

Everything is back to the way it was and all is now well in the Firefox world for me.

About that memory leak. If I leave Firefox running, over the course of a few hours, it will slowly use more and more of my memory until it bogs down my system. Shut Firefox down and launch it again, and its OK for a few hours. Its just the way it is.

Steve

[FLYTYER]

I would like to add some things I learned using FireFox on a computer running Vista.

Upgrading FF does NOT remove cookies. There is no built in command to do that.

If doing any on-line banking, purchases where any credit card, bank info is used, right after you are done, in FF click on Tools, Clear Cache. (You may have to check off some boxes in the menu to clear only the cache). Your card and/or banking info is still in there until you clear it.

When leaving FF to work off line, close FF by clicking on File, then Exit. Other closing methods cause troubles. FF versions prior to 3.5.7 had a problem closing down in a Vista based system.

Never leave your computer in sleep or hibernate without first closing or turning off the internet connection.

Any Vista based computer should have 3 GB memory....otherwise expect slow and sluggish performance.

[Doug Sage]

Firefox is now up to version 3.6. I have never had a problem with memory leaks. I can leave my laptop on for several days without closing down Firefox and it continues to run just fine. I think some of you may have another issue going. For example: opening and closing any Office programs causes the memory to slowly trickle away. Word, Excel and other programs hold on to small amounts of memory each time they are closed.

[steelheadbluesman]

I have to say, I don't understand the "memory leak". I let my laptop hibernate all the time, rarely turn it off, and I've never had a problem with slow-downs. I've always run a LOT of utilities (disk check, 2 defrags, ccleaner, AVG and others daily) to keep everything sharp and fast, so maybe that's the difference? I also dump all temp and internet files, and dump trash and deleted emails on every exit. That's how I treated my old Toshiba, and after 6 years of heavy use, it was still as fast as my new one! Over time accumulated junk can slow your OS to a crawl. I just got a new Toshiba widescreen w/ Win 7, loaded Firefox and Tbird, and it's running smoooooth.... IMHO, it's often about keeping a clean machine.

[wagonmaster2]

I disabled "automatic updates" on Firefox, but I let Windows do the automatic update once a week. Is this a mistake?

Also, if I do a "system restore" back to December 1st hoping to correct some of my problems with Firefox and it doesn't work or causes other problems, is it possible then to delete the "restore" and end up right back where I am now here the end of January?

I've looked at all the boxes that should be checked as suggested above but still the computer doesn't remember sites I've previously been to. Everytime I do a Google Search, log on to one of the Forums, or do a search in the Forums, it acts just like that was the first time ever that I did that. Undoubtedly somewhere it doesn't say "Remember" when it should. There's so many places on this computer I've never been, including some just recently, that I'll probably never know what problems exist.

I still find during a paragraph like the one above every once in a while I'll get several words ahead before it shows on the screen. Also I've noticed when watching a video on one of the web sites the motion and audio may pause for a couple of seconds then start back again and in maybe 10-15 seconds everything stops again for a couple of seconds. Kind of like the computer can't keep up with the input, if that sounds possible.

Thanks for all the help. I'd certainly be lost without the Forum's assistance.

Wagonmaster2

[Ray,IN]

Firefox (like IE) has had some serious holes where bad stuff can cause a lot of problems if not updated when new ones are issued. Mozilla patches critical, high-risk Firefox vulnerabilities | Zero Day | ZDNet.com has a great article on Firefox security.