You are using an older version of Firefox which isn't supported any longer.

Install the latest version, which can be downloaded from here:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

i am using the newest version and it still will not let me use the search box in the middle of the home page.anything else i can do?

Reset the browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone pref via the right-click context menu to the default on the about:config page and close and restart Firefox to restore the about:home page to its default.

• Open the about:config page via the location bar
• Type in the Filter bar: mstone
• Right-click the browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone line and select: Reset
• Close and restart Firefox

If that didn't help then delete the delete the chromeappsstore.sqlite file in the Firefox Profile Folder and repeat the above.

and if i worked for geek squad i may know what you just said and how to find these places,i did experiment but cant decipher this lingo.sorry lay mans format please

Try to delete the file prefs.js in the Firefox Profile Folder to reset all prefs.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

That will also reset the user agent that looks corrupted by Fast Browser Search (FBSMTWB)

• Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.8) Gecko/20100202 Firefox/3.5.8 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) FBSMTWB

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder

See also:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Resetting+preferences
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Websites+or+add-ons+incorrectly+report+incompatible+browser

i tried all the suggestions and none of them worked .i then found a section in the help that said try disabling my add ons and start in safe mode (bingo!!!) it worked thanks for the guidance.