This is starting to drive me nuts.

Recently (within a week) my computer has started to become rather... funny.

Before you guys ask, yes, I have tried googling the problem. It came up with this:

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/763205

If you go down a bit to Tonbaby's response:

I did restart in safe mode, myself. I cleared all the cookies and the browsing history, I took out all the bookmarks (after printing them out) and that didn't help. I've had Windows 7 for about 6 months, now. There weren't any problems at all until just recently. It started with Firefox lagging, hanging and becoming just generally unresponsive. Then, even after switching to other browsers, which are driving me insane, windows explorer began restarting constantly. There was no stopping it. I let the compy run a diagnostic on the memory...no probs. I ran a few deep virus scans...no probs. I restarted in safe mode, still had the prob. When I removed all the start up programs, save for the essentials, everything worked great. This meant it's a 3rd party problem...but figuring out which one was a pain. At a person's suggestion, I deleted everything that had to do with Firefox and my problem completely resolved. Problem is...I want Firefox BACK!!! I'm going crazy with these other, inadequate browsers. My general point here is, everything was working great until a few weeks ago...the only difference I can think of is updates! If anyone else had any ideas, please, let me know. I started a thread on this and a couple of people have reported the same problem, but there aren't any solutions or ideas as of yet.

This pretty much sums it up for me. It's got to the point where it is affecting my ability to do my work - even other programs start hanging up when I've got the browser open (pretty much always) but my suspicion is that it may be flash. I've tried uninstalling it and reinstalling it (the plugin) and it seemed to fix the problem up for one night, then the next day it was just the same.

The reason I think it may be flash is because games like Reccetear (which is flash based, right?) tend to fuck around too but for instance, the Witcher - NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. Not ONE. So I highly doubt it is the RAM or some hardware problem - it has to be SOMETHING I have in my computer that is fucked up program wise.

I've run Malwarebytes and Windows Security Essentials. Nothing. I've run CCCleaner. Nothing.

Does anyone have any ideas? I just want to be able to use the net without any hassles and edit my photos in Photoshop without having to click.... CLICK. Oh fuck.... *waits* click. Finally. It's absurd.

Thanks in advance.

Yeah true - but how come it has started to affect OTHER programs now?!?!?! Or is it simply because of the fast-launch blah blah gimmicks? Didn't realise AdBlocker did the same... FUCK! Firefox 3 with AdBlocker was awesome.

I'll give you the solution if no one else can give me better advice...

P.s. (edit) I have an i7 930 with 8 gig of DDR3 1600. That's why I find it so puzzling that it could actually suck up THAT much ram from my resources....?!?!?!?

In Firefox, click Tools, Options, Advanced and the Network tab. Click Clear Now and see if that helps. Also check "Override automatic cache management" if you want to set the cache size Firefox uses.

Already done. I've cleared the cache, done various tweaks to options etc up to and including reducing my cache size to 150mb - it was on auto before. Doesn't seem to do anything.

May have to change to Chrome or something.... Gah.

Plugin container? I think I was experiencing similar problems to you and it turned out to be plugin container, which was designed to make Firefox more stable (if flash or some other process crashed it would not crash FF) but it used a load of resources. Try this out:
http://www.technogadge.com/how-to-stop-firefox-plugin-container-exe-process/

Hmmm.

I found the link to Firefox 4

http://www.technogadge.com/stop-plugin-container-in-firefox-4/

And tried it out... Gimme a hour or so to really test it out :) I really fucking hope that its the solution!!!!

If you use PS allot then I would look into the problems of PS refusing to release memory. Quick Google turned up some info on the problem. Here for instance . . . =)

Firefox is a dog. I kicked that puppy off my comp long ago because of it's insane memory leakage. Besides, it's way overrated (Yeah, I'm talking to you, June Maximum PC).

Wow. I just deleted Firefox and installed Chrome. Fucking flawless so far. Thank god I use Xmarks too - any good adblock apps for Chrome I should use?

The funny thing is Firefox put up a terrific battle trying to stop me from downloading Chrome - took me nearly an hour of disconnects, freezes and shit to finally get the fucker. Goodbye you shitty fox. NEVER AGAIN.