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TB keeps getting Not Responding message. Screen freezes. Happens all the time. I am running STOPzilla anti-virus

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I get the Not Responding message on both TB and Firefox all the time. I have seen issues using McAfee and a list of other Anti-Virus programs but I use STOPzilla and it is not listed at this time. It gets very annoying when typing something and the screen freezes for several seconds and have the Not Responding message and then it will work again. I am running TB 31.0 and Windows 7. Thank you.

I get the Not Responding message on both TB and Firefox all the time. I have seen issues using McAfee and a list of other Anti-Virus programs but I use STOPzilla and it is not listed at this time. It gets very annoying when typing something and the screen freezes for several seconds and have the Not Responding message and then it will work again. I am running TB 31.0 and Windows 7. Thank you.

All Replies (6)

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Regarding StopZilla, it has a scam rating on the Web of Trust.

Perhaps check the system resources and see what is taking so much CPU - is it StopZilla perhaps using up resources? You can remove it temporarily and see if system performance is restored to normal levels.

To diagnose problems with Thunderbird performance specifically, you can restart it with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender.

Modified by Fabián Rodríguez

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I am pretty computer illiterate and don't know how to check for system resources. I will probably switch to another email program and IE for my browser. It is too frustrating have to wait for them to respond every few minutes. Thanks for your help anyway.

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Someone tells you your anti virus might be a scam... Your response... I will use another browser and mail client. I think you need to reappraise the statement "I am pretty computer illiterate" if that is your only response.

The issue is almost certainly caused by STOPzilla regardless of it being trustworthy or not. Restarting your device in safe mode with networking will soon tell that.

Microsofts instructions for safe mode in http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7 Windows 7 are here

Modified by Matt

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Perhaps someone close (geographically) can give you a hand?

This Windows Help article explains how to check for resource use on your PC.

What I described is a one-step test in Thunderbird: On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". This would help determine if the problem is among an add-on installed in Thunderbird.

If that doesn't show improvement, the problem is not within Thunderbird but elsewhere in the system. Starting the computer in Safe Mode then helps confirm if the problem is in Windows (and not specifically in Thunderbird).

I understand you may not be comfortable doing this by yourself, perhaps ask someone close to help you in person, by showing them our answers here.

Modified by Fabián Rodríguez

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Thank you Fabian. I will see if someone that knows about computers can help me next time they are in town. I did change to I/E for two days now and it has not has a problem nor have Thunderbird. I did the restart with no add ons disabled but didn't seem to matter. I went back to Firefox and within about 20 minutes I was getting the Not Responding message. I have used SPOTzilla for about 4 years with no problem until about a month ago. I do appreciate your suggestions but for now, I will just stay on I/E and Thunderbird email. Thanks again and thanks for understanding about my level of computer knowledge.

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Not a problem, thanks for posting your questions here and come back any time!