Windows XP PC question

[figmo]

I have this Lenovo 3000 N200 running Windows XP Pro. When I'm using Firefox (3.0.4) it sometimes totally hangs. I have noticed some of the wedging occurs when it tries to access particular sites, but even blocking them has not stopped it from trying to access these sites and has not stopped the hanging.

The performance of this computer also seems slower than that of my Compaq Presario 6000 running Windows XP Media Edition. The latter system doesn't hang when running the same version of Firefox. I would have expected the Lenovo (the newer system) to be the faster of the two, but it isn't.

Some comparisons:Chip: Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2390, 1.86 GHz, 1GB RAM

Lenovo system	Compaq system
Windows XP Professional 2002, Service Pack 2	Windows XP Media Center Edition, Service Pack 3
Chip: AMD Turin 64 Mobile technology MK-36, 2.01 GHz, 1.93 GB RAM, Physical Address Extension

I am aware that the whole GHz thing can be irrelevant when you're talking about different chips, so I don't know which chip is supposed to be faster. Any advice on whether I'm doing something wrong or if indeed my perception is correct would be appreciated, as well as any way to keep Firefox from crashing.

Comments

[banjoplayinnerd.livejournal.com]

Here are two possible things to try:

1. Find the folder that has your Mozilla state information (saved passwords, bookmarks, etc.) in it and rename that folder out of the way. This will bring Firefox back to a virgin state. Then see if it continues to hang/crash. This may not work if what you're fighting is a virus, but it solved a problem or two for me on Linux once. (And I'm sorry, I don't know where that folder is. Someone else who's currently on Windows might be able to tell you; if not, search your hard drive for files/folders named "chrome" or "bookmarks.html.") Once you get things straightened out you can copy your bookmarks back into the new folder that's created. You will have to re-enter all your login information, though, which can be a pain in the neck if you save passwords the way I do.

2. Install the Adblock Plus plugin and use it to block the sites your computer keeps trying to go to.

Sounds like you really should get the thing scanned for viruses as well. Many things are said about Comcast, and most of them are true if not understated, but they do provide McAfee security software for free, and it's kept my wife's computer safe.