A possible cause is security software (firewall) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Server+not+found
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firewalls

I am encountering this same problem too, but in a different twist. I erased all my cache, disabled all my add-ons, and even started a new FF profile (and a new Windows profile) and pulled up about 7 tabs going to 7 different websites, and the 1st 2 tabs will load the site, but then the rest stay stuck on this "Connecting" loop and never actually go to the site. I have looked thru the websites you suggested as well as other KB Articles that Mozilla has, and they haven't resolved this issue. I have noticed that this is happening in FF 7 and on. When I reinstall FF 6.0.2, this problem did not happen at all.

I disabled the Windows Firewall shortly after I posted this and it seemed to make no difference. Then on a whim, I installed Nightly 9 64-Bit, to see if it worked, and it did not... but then at random, Firefox 7 started working. I used it for a while, turned the Windows Firewall back on and it still worked for a good 30 minutes to an hour.

Then it randomly quit and I have not been able to get it working since.

I'll play around with the Firewall some more and report back here, I have not had the time since yesterday.

Even after trying the 7.0.1, still didn't fix it.

awinkler, what virus scan are you running and do you have BitLocker enabled on your machine?

No BitLocker. NOD32

I uninstalled my Anti-Virus, Sophos, and then Firefox 7.0.1 was loading up pages instantly. I know that I was able to get pages loading instantly on another machine that uses Microsoft Security Essentials. Try uninstalling your AV, reboot, and then give it another try thru Firefox.

Ugh... I really don't want to have to uninstall NOD32...

What the hell did they do to FireFox to make it stop working? I shouldn't have to uninstall software to get it working. Seriously, my mother wouldn't be able to do that... there really has to be another solution...

I disabled NOD32 and the Windows firewall with no luck.

I seriously doubt uninstalling will make a difference.