Hard drive runs continously using FF3

Hi all. New problem. Just started.

I start FF and begin surfing and for the first few minutes everything runs ok. Then the hard drive starts running. At first I thought it was Avast. Avast checks for updates every 4 hours I think. But the hd continues to run and whatever i'm doing hangs until the hd stops. Then back to normal. five minutes later here we go again.

I checked Windows Task Manager and found that firefox.exe is the culprit by consumming up to 99% of the cpu for several minutes. What is it doing??? Never did this before. Not noticeable anyway.

Instead of FF I was wondering if maybe java may be the culprit, although I found no evidence in task manager, nor would I. We kids play java games from time to time (or is it day to day?) and I was wondering if java could be the cause. I dont know thats why I'm asking. I'm using Java 6 update 5.

Don't have this problem with IE. Using XP Home on HP OEM updated.

Thanks for any possibilities.

 

No idea. My Firefox3.0.1 uses 5-15 CPU, and about 100MB. I am using an embedded radio station which may contribute to what it is doing. I am using Java update 7, and have AVG.
I have not seen any activity in the past 10 min.

 

Hi Westside.

Firefox use to be the same for me. I went to mozilla's website and looked around for faq or something and found a knowledge base that I searched. The only thing I could find pertaining to my problem was to empty the Prefetch folder in Windows. I did but no difference.

Java update 7? Could possibly be my problem. I'm using update 5. I'll check on that update and see what happens. Thanks for the reply.

 

I updated java to 7 but it had no effect on the problem at hand. When I x'd FF to close it took 18 minutes to close. The cpu light stayed on constantly. No idea what to look for now.

I previously did a virus check and malware check before posting so it shouldn't be that unless it's something my programs cant detect. Even HJT came up clean.

 

Took a chance and uninstalled FF. Searched and deleted files from hd and registry. Rebooted and reinstalled. Made no difference. Anyone have any idea?

 

I don't know if / how many extensions you are running. If you have some, try starting up in "Firefox Safe Mode ". Check running processes for any change in activity.

 

Are you by any chance running a desktop search program like Windows Desktop Search or Google Search ?

 

Hi guys,

I'm not running any extensions. How do I start FF in safe mode? Didn't know I could.

I don't use any desktop search program or any other program that uses the internet while I surf, at least not knowingly, other than the programs that check for updates on occasion, mainly Avast! which I think checks for updates every 4 hours or so. FF will run a little sluggish while Avast! is updating but returns to normal when finished.

But now it acts like Avast! never finishes the download, although I'm using Avast! here as an example. When I check the running processes, firefox is using 84 - 99% of the cpu while idle. I thought maybe java could be the culprit, or something within FF that would only show as FF in the task manager. Don't know, just guessing here.

 

Start -> All Programs -> Mozilla Firefox -> Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode).

 

Firefox Safe Mode runs it bare bones. If your problem goes away, if could be due to too many Tabs, or a home page which is constantly trying to update. It is very important to run it in safemode.
But, why would Avast be a suspect, as it is an independent program?

 

Avast has what is called "Web Shield ". Normal default install has it set to enabled. Mine has always been active with never a problem.

 

rsinfo - LOL, who uses Start - Programs anymore? Got Quick Launch and desktop icons. Anyway, I found it. Thanks.

Westside - It wasnt too many tabs, but your idea of a home page trying to update got me to thinking. There is a java game the kids and I play ocasionally and they just had a major update not too long ago. The have a low detail mode for computers like mine and a high detail mode for computers like yours. One of my kids changed it from low to high detail and nearly put my computer to a standstill.

Avast wasn't a suspect, merely an example. When it updates, it makes using the internet sluggish until it finishes. Except the problem I had seemed like Avast never stopped updating. I used Avast as an example, not as a cause. Sorry for the mix up. I just need to update this computer thats all. Better yet buy a new one. This one is at least 6 years old.

Thanks guys for the help. I was thinking the problem stemmed from the browser itself or java maybe, but not from a web page.

 

I used to have several tabs when they first became available, but too many are a problem. as evidenced by the fact that the program Tab browsing has an item to warn the user when too many tabs may slow down Firefox.
I have only Google as home page, and, may tolerate two or three tabs. I never allow more. I close them manually. Do not allow pages which draw "too much power" to take over the computer. Bookmarks should be enough.

 

Well, I do, for one, but I use a highly customized Classic Start menu, rather than XP's annoying default Start menu (I don't blame you for not using it ). Mine provides immediate access to every program I have installed.

For me, QL just wastes space on the Taskbar. Don't need it, don't want it, don't use it.

Also, I've never felt any need to fill my Desktop with shortcut icons ... that's what the Start menu is for. I have Windows Explorer, FF, and TB open all the time, anyway, so I seldom see my Desktop.

Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.