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Did something change today with firefox or siverlight because both my laptpos now freeze when viewing videos

  • 3 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Friday night, 9/25, I viewed videos on Amazon and netflix with no problems. This morning, 9/26, I tried to look at a video on Netflix and my laptop locked (Windows 8, firefox 41). After some time I was able to end firefox so it may have just slowed so much to appear locked. I then tried to look at a video on amazon and had the same problem. I then tried my other laptop (windows 7, firefox 40) and encountered the same problems. I deleted silver light and reinstalled it on both laptops but that didn't help. I then uninstalled firefox and reinstalled it on both machines but still have the problem. I've checked both machines for viruses etc., one with avast and the other with ad-aware. Nothing was found. That this happened between my shutting down last night and starting this AM, occurs on two different sites, and affects both of my machines makes me wonder if an application change took place. I've tried other sites without video and have no problems. Any ideas?

Friday night, 9/25, I viewed videos on Amazon and netflix with no problems. This morning, 9/26, I tried to look at a video on Netflix and my laptop locked (Windows 8, firefox 41). After some time I was able to end firefox so it may have just slowed so much to appear locked. I then tried to look at a video on amazon and had the same problem. I then tried my other laptop (windows 7, firefox 40) and encountered the same problems. I deleted silver light and reinstalled it on both laptops but that didn't help. I then uninstalled firefox and reinstalled it on both machines but still have the problem. I've checked both machines for viruses etc., one with avast and the other with ad-aware. Nothing was found. That this happened between my shutting down last night and starting this AM, occurs on two different sites, and affects both of my machines makes me wonder if an application change took place. I've tried other sites without video and have no problems. Any ideas?

All Replies (3)

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Do you have the Firefox icon on your quick launch? Right click on it, and select Open New Window. Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit.


This is not a cure but will make it easier if Firefox locks up in Windows. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/997866 {web link}


Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?


Use this link to check that your plugins are up-to-date. If any are listed as unknown or research, do not worry about them.

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I made sure that all of my plugins are up to date and then started firefox in safemode. I still get the same problem. As soon as I click on the play icon everything slows down. When I say everything I mean all applications on the laptop. If I cntl+alt+del to get to task manager it takes 5 to 10 minutes to open. Eventually the movie will start but I plays like a slide show. I get the audio in what seems to be normal speed but the video lags and appears as still images (or frozen video that skips from the opening frame of each download ton that of the next download). I have no problems with u-tube or other streams. I've tried to switch from silverlight to flash to play the movies but I can't get to that point since I lock up.

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As a test, download the clip, then see if it plays using a viewer.


Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
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