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Upon startup Firefox crashes Windows 10 yielding BSOD

  • 10 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Upon the subject action, Windows 10 takes a system/memory dump, sends it to Microsoft, and automatically restarts. Firefox appears to be initializing for about 3 seconds (after clicking its shortcut) and then the crash occurs. The display of the initial Firefox landing page is not obtained.

The blue screen of death (BSOD) has this message: KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED

Also, the networking software (NETGEAR) is rendered inoperable and must be re-installed upon Windows restart. Otherwise, my system is stable. Maintenance is regularly applied as it becomes available.

Device Specifications: - Device name: LENOVO-71C72702 - Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz 3.00 GHz - Installed RAM: 4.00 GB (3.25 GB usable) - Device ID: D607D8C6-79B8-48DA-BE03-F72C10EF4442 - Product ID: 00330-80000-00000-AA092 - System type: 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor - Pen and touch: No pen or touch input is available for this display

Windows Specifications: -Edition: Windows 10 Pro - Version: 20H2 - Installed on: ‎6/‎9/‎2020 - OS build: 19042.1081 - Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3530.0

Firefox was a delight to use. But now not so much, as it's unavailable as described above.

If anyone has a fix, or a suggestion for obtaining one, it would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks!

Upon the subject action, Windows 10 takes a system/memory dump, sends it to Microsoft, and automatically restarts. Firefox appears to be initializing for about 3 seconds (after clicking its shortcut) and then the crash occurs. The display of the initial Firefox landing page is not obtained. The blue screen of death (BSOD) has this message: KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED Also, the networking software (NETGEAR) is rendered inoperable and must be re-installed upon Windows restart. Otherwise, my system is stable. Maintenance is regularly applied as it becomes available. Device Specifications: - Device name: LENOVO-71C72702 - Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz 3.00 GHz - Installed RAM: 4.00 GB (3.25 GB usable) - Device ID: D607D8C6-79B8-48DA-BE03-F72C10EF4442 - Product ID: 00330-80000-00000-AA092 - System type: 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor - Pen and touch: No pen or touch input is available for this display Windows Specifications: -Edition: Windows 10 Pro - Version: 20H2 - Installed on: ‎6/‎9/‎2020 - OS build: 19042.1081 - Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3530.0 Firefox was a delight to use. But now not so much, as it's unavailable as described above. If anyone has a fix, or a suggestion for obtaining one, it would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks!

Chosen solution

Continuing...

Attempted to uninstall Firefox but it was not found in the Windows 10 Settings Apps list. Uninstall from the Firefox entry in the Windows 10 Start Menu did not work either. So, started afresh, leaving the upgraded NETGEAR adapter and associated device software in place (see above message, this thread, on 6/27/21 at 1:59 PM): 1. Un-check Load-ZoneAlarm-Extreme-Security-at-startup box (Tools -> Preferences) 2. Download Firefox Installer from Firefox website 3. Run CCleaner to ensure a clean Windows 10 Registry 4. Shutdown Windows 10 (do not Restart) 5. Power up Windows 10 (Windows 10 Security will now become active) 6. Right click Start (upon completion of boot and initialization) 7. Click Run, then click Browse... to find Firefox Installer in Windows 10 Downloads 8. Select, then click OK to open 9. Firefox Installer found Firefox and initiated a Re-install of Firefox 10. Firefox Installer launched Firefox (Installer running to a normal completion is a good sign) 11. Verify Firefox is in the Windows 10 Start Menu 12. Verify Mozilla Firefox is in the Windows 10 Settings Apps list 13. Verify launch icons are good (desktop, and task bar copy if one was made)

This worked, and over the ensuing week Firefox was launched multiple times each day. So, pursuit of the security software was initiated. Launched ZoneAlarm Extreme Security from Windows Start Menu. Launched Firefox. Bam! BSOD!! Pursuit with Check Point Software Technologies was initiated: 1. Click on Support Link at ZoneAlarm home page 2. Start chat 3. Provide requested information: Help -> About -> Copy to Clipboard 4. Paste to chat 5. Follow chat directions: a) uninstall old software (using Windows 10 Start -> Menu or Settings -> Apps -> List entries), b) cleanup uninstall (using ZoneAlarm chat-provided executable), and c) install current software (using current, ZoneAlarm chat-provided installer) 6. Follow ZoneAlarm Extreme Security installer directions 7. Run CCleaner to cleanup Windows 10 Registry

This also worked, and over another ensuing week Firefox was again launched multiple times each day. The computing environment is now stable with no errors presenting.

Takeaways: 1. Hardware issue(s) corrupted the device software. Fixed with adapter upgrade to current level. 2. Security software was down level. Fixed with software upgrade to current level.

Note: For ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, the daily multiple component updates do not include version updates. Install version updates when prompted via the associated pop-up.

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All Replies (10)

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Web search: https://www.bing.com/search?q=KMODE+EXCEPTION+NOT+HANDLED

Do any of these links help?

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Hi Fred,

The link helped. Just worked down the list:

  • Turned off Fast Startup
  • Reinstalled Firefox
  • BSOD: PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA
  • Installed a new, more current WiFi adapter
  • Reinstalled Firefox

This fixed the NETGEAR software re-install issues. No other hardware related issues presented.

Firefox would now run, but not with ZoneAlarm Extreme Security active. Further down the list there is a warning that security software might give rise to BSODs.

Continuing, several BSODs did, in fact, present (some repeatedly):

  • PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA (repeats)
  • ATTEMPTED WRITE TO READ ONLY AREA
  • KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED (repeats)

After several attempts the following worked:

1. Complete Firefox uninstall 2. Registry cleanup 3. ZoneAlarm include-in-Windows-startup box checked 4. Windows Shut down (not Restart) 5. Computer power up 6. Clean Firefox install

The only issue remaining is the Task Bar icon. The image is a white sheet of paper. Placing it from the desktop icon or from the Start Menu entry makes no difference. Is it possible the Firefox Installer had an incomplete finish?

Firefox is stable so far -- but with minimal usage. Hopefully, good stability will remain the case going forward.

Thanks for the link suggestion. It's greatly appreciated.

Modified by Stripeman

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That was very good work. Well Done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem as this can help others with similar problems.


Stripeman said

The only issue remaining is the Task Bar icon. The image is a white sheet of paper.

Are you talking about a shortcut or the quick launch icon?

Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties. On the Shortcut tab, select Change Icon.

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The icon in the Task Bar (Quick Launch) was being referenced. It was derived (right click -> pin to task bar) from the Desk Top icon that was placed by the Firefox Installer. After being away for a few hours, I'm back at the computer. And voila! The icon is fixed!! The update must have been in a low priority process queue or something akin to that. Referencing your guidance, the Change Icon pop-up displays a selection matrix. The update corresponds to the icon in row 2, column 2. It's the familiar one we see everywhere.

Thanks again for your assistance...

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Glad to help. Safe Surfing.

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It's a day later and after several successful sessions Firefox, upon launch, abended with a BSOD: PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA. Firefox Installer abends with a BSOD: KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED.

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A post was flagged as Solved Problem. If the problem is not solved, please remove that flag. If you don’t, others that can help may not read this post.

Go to that message, and use the Undo link to its right.

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Done. Pursuit will continue and result(s) will be posted.

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Chosen Solution

Continuing...

Attempted to uninstall Firefox but it was not found in the Windows 10 Settings Apps list. Uninstall from the Firefox entry in the Windows 10 Start Menu did not work either. So, started afresh, leaving the upgraded NETGEAR adapter and associated device software in place (see above message, this thread, on 6/27/21 at 1:59 PM): 1. Un-check Load-ZoneAlarm-Extreme-Security-at-startup box (Tools -> Preferences) 2. Download Firefox Installer from Firefox website 3. Run CCleaner to ensure a clean Windows 10 Registry 4. Shutdown Windows 10 (do not Restart) 5. Power up Windows 10 (Windows 10 Security will now become active) 6. Right click Start (upon completion of boot and initialization) 7. Click Run, then click Browse... to find Firefox Installer in Windows 10 Downloads 8. Select, then click OK to open 9. Firefox Installer found Firefox and initiated a Re-install of Firefox 10. Firefox Installer launched Firefox (Installer running to a normal completion is a good sign) 11. Verify Firefox is in the Windows 10 Start Menu 12. Verify Mozilla Firefox is in the Windows 10 Settings Apps list 13. Verify launch icons are good (desktop, and task bar copy if one was made)

This worked, and over the ensuing week Firefox was launched multiple times each day. So, pursuit of the security software was initiated. Launched ZoneAlarm Extreme Security from Windows Start Menu. Launched Firefox. Bam! BSOD!! Pursuit with Check Point Software Technologies was initiated: 1. Click on Support Link at ZoneAlarm home page 2. Start chat 3. Provide requested information: Help -> About -> Copy to Clipboard 4. Paste to chat 5. Follow chat directions: a) uninstall old software (using Windows 10 Start -> Menu or Settings -> Apps -> List entries), b) cleanup uninstall (using ZoneAlarm chat-provided executable), and c) install current software (using current, ZoneAlarm chat-provided installer) 6. Follow ZoneAlarm Extreme Security installer directions 7. Run CCleaner to cleanup Windows 10 Registry

This also worked, and over another ensuing week Firefox was again launched multiple times each day. The computing environment is now stable with no errors presenting.

Takeaways: 1. Hardware issue(s) corrupted the device software. Fixed with adapter upgrade to current level. 2. Security software was down level. Fixed with software upgrade to current level.

Note: For ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, the daily multiple component updates do not include version updates. Install version updates when prompted via the associated pop-up.

Modified by Stripeman

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That was very good work. Well Done.