Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing PCs Forum

Hello,
Dell VOSTRA LAPTOP (Posted about a number of times)
ESC 43277975461
ST: JVQL7L1
Windows XP PRO SP 3 (Up to date)
EPSON WF 545 -= Its S/W is up-to-date.
Avast! (Free version) 2014.9.0.2021 -

PROBLEM:
TODAY I cannot open Firefox (38.01) or Thunderbird.
There is only an error alert SOUND (nothing visual)

PRECEDING EVENTS:
Firefox upgraded itself to version 38.01. Since then (I believe) I cannot print from Firefox (WiFi) - Firefox “crashes”.
All other programs (that I have tried) do print.

Twice, “Google Chrome” has been on desktop on cold boot (Today a crash report; Can’t recall the other day’s “message”)
I have NEVER consciously downloaded chrome.

Initially wanted older FF version but have not found a reliable link (or know how to find one) Also want to disable “auto updates (ESPECIALLY FF) before doing so although not really applicable at this time)

Yesterday I restored the system back 3 weeks (hoping to see if this would improve anything) but did not have time to check However, when I shut it down, it had to install yet another update.

Negative FULL system scan and boot scan.

QUESTIONS:
Should I choose a different restore point?

After all of this, is chrome any good....

I read a fix for FF’s VS. 38.01’s slowness is ?decreasing H/W acceleration... N/A for now but is this a possibility?

I am MOST concerned about not being able to use TB and FF for the time being!

Thank you very much in advance!

What happens if you uninstall and reinstall those applications? Scott.

I don't think trying other restore points will help in this case. Scott.

Installing Chrome shouldn't cause any problems but I would also uninstall and reinstall Firefox. Scott.

At this point I would recommend reinstalling Windows. The best option for this in your case would be the Dell Factory Image Restore: http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/ ... N117599/EN

Be sure you have all of your data backed up beforehand. Scott.

If you are committed to doing an image restore then you have nothing to lose by trying other restore points. You don't have to undo your last restoration before trying different restore points. I don't think this will help but you might as well try. Scott.

I would check for any installed toolbars from companies like Google and uninstall any you find. To access the advanced startup options (including Safe Mode) you normally would press the F8 key before Windows starts. However there is a way to automate the process (that is to automatically boot directly into Safe Mode without needing to press any keys) by using MSconfig as described here: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows- ... he-f8-key/

Scott.

Hi,
It's been over a week and I still cannot print on the laptop with Firefox 38.0.5.

Still same issues: Either FF crashes or the printer prints blank pages. (No page header or footer info but the printer(S) eject ("print") the correct number of pages, and print preview is okay.)

I even tried a new printer! (EPSON XP-410) with same results!

I need advice on a different browser for the laptop
DELL VOSTRO LAPTOP:
SERVICE TAG: JVQ7L1
EXPRESS SERVICE CODE: 43277975461

2. For another Dell
DELL DIMENSION XPS E-520 (2007) WINDOWS XP HOME SP 3 FIREFOX 14.0.1 AVAST! 2014.9.0.2021; THUNDERBIRD version 2.0.0.24 (20100228) EPSON WF 545 – ALL UP-TO-DATE

The E520 PC is old, and used a lot. so, I REALLY need the browser to be un-bloated, tested, and stable.

What I am also worried about is maybe the printing issue has something to do with specific DELL S/W (Incompatibility specific to dell)??

Are you very familiar with chrome?

I use and recommend Firefox. I also recommend you reload those systems using the product recovery (Image Restore) procedures. Scott.