Problem closing Mozella Firefox

Dear major geek:

I am using XP pro with Firefox as browser. When I shut down my computer I always see a window saying Firefox is not responding, end now. This happens when I have just rebooted and have not started Firefox or if I have started Firefox and closed it out. Also very important is it that would not open most links in blue. I was using Firefox ver. 3. I tried to remove it in order to reinstall, but every attempt required that I close out Firefox before uninstalling. Absolutely could not uninstall. I then obtained Firefox setup ver. 5.4.3 and installed it over ver. 3. All of the above still exist. I have cleaned up xp pro and have run several utilities such as Malwarebites antimalware, superspyware, and MS security essentials. I have concentrated on Firefox because I couldn't close it out or delete it and I couldn't use provided links. Maybe its is something else. I have worked for days before asking for help, now I'm asking help from the guys I think are the best. Please tell me what I have missed.
sincerely, Stan Schup

 

Dear Sir: You are entirely correct about the version. I interchanged the numbers operating from memory. Not good for a 82 year old Physicist/Mathematician, retired, (emphasis on tired) I should have said ver. 3.5.4. As for language, I took 2 yrs German at the University and as a born and raised Texan, I have dabbled in Border Mex. But US English is my only language. ----- I followed your instructions to the letter. I think I had done the equivalent before. Operates as before. No change. Thank you. Now sir, what shall we try next?

 

give this procedure a try,maybe an incompatible ext. or plug-in is the culprit,this can help you by process of elimination,you can re-enable what you need later or remove what you don't need.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/inte...-settings-in-firefox-without-uninstalling-it/

 

When you launch Task Manager you need the Process Tab.
Click on the "Image Name" top left to sort the order.
Select Firefox.exe and click End Process.

It may be stuck, in which case look for another item, Dumpreg.exe (perhaps several of them).
This has something to do with crash reports and can get stuck.
Select Dumpreg.exe and at this stage in desperation I right click,
I have learnt that "End Process" often fails. right click for a context menu,
use "End Processs Tree".

Alan

 

As a followup:

If you're still having problems getting rid of FFox, try booting into Safe Mode and applying the aforementioned steps...

I've had some success through the years with deleting troublesome files/programs by using DelLater: http://diamondcs.com.au/freeutilities/dellater.php ...

 

You never said what the results of these scans were? Did you find anything that needed to be removed? If so, you may still be infected, and you will need to perform the steps listed in this post:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

 

OK, I did as instructed and firefox runs much faster and I think it recognizes more links--but the original problem is still there, thanks a lot for your help.

 

I'm sorry, I overlooked telling you.
all of my efforts to find malware were nil. No infections were found. I will try to perform the steps given. Thanks for your help. I am a newbe at this so everyone please forgive my fumbling.

 

I never found anything that needed to be removed, sorry I did not tell you this before. Your efforts are appreciated, please forgive my fumbling around. I will perform the above suggested steps. Thank you loads. Stan

 

Dear Alan:

Thank you for your help. Firefox was not in the task manager after closing it out, so I guess it was not stuck. I could not find Dumpreg.exe in the task manager. I will keep this possibility in mind as I proceed. Thanks again. Stan