Topic: Computer Help: Switching to Google Chrome

[Scott S]

 After getting several viruses, I installed Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Firefox is set up as my default browser with Yahoo as my home page/search engine.

 I've been virus free ever since. However, I'm beginning to tire of Firefox. It's often very slow, there are "scripts" running in the background that clog it up and many add-on's are not compatible. I've even heard that having Chrome on my computer (even though I'm not using it) conflicts with Firefox and may be part of the slow down.

 I've heard many good things about Chrome. Everyone likes it and says it's fast.
 I know just enough about computers to be dangerous. Can someone walk me through "turning off" Firefox and making Chrome my default browser?
  I lie the Yahoo homepage for news, etc. Can I still have Yahoo as my homepage if I use Chrome?

[Scott S]

 For example: I keep getting a "Waring: Unresponsive Script" window popping up. It gives me this message:

 "A script on this page may be busy, or it may have stopped responding. You can stop the script now, or you can continue to see if the script will complete.

Script: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/Application%20Data/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/zpa7gnx9.default/extensions/%7B635abd67-4fe9-1b23-4f01-e679fa7484c1%7D/components/nsYahooFileIO.js:26 "

 When it does this, the computer stops for a few seconds and I can hear the hard drive running.
  I'm current on all my updates/versions, I run AVG, Mal-Ware Bytes and CC Cleaner. I try to keep the computer "healthy", but I think the problem is with Firefox itself.

[CBGhia]

Open up chrome and it should ask if you would like to make it default. Say yes.  If it does not ask, go the wrench in the upper right.  Click on options, under "basics"  at the bottom it has a button that reads "make chrome my default browser".

[CBGhia]

You can have Yahoo as your homepage.  I think the problem is that firefox is not processing javascript properly.  I don't know if you have the newest version or if you are using an older one, but I would uninstall firefox and then go to the program files folder (c\program files\firefox) and delete the firefox folder completely. If you like firefox, reboot the computer, and then reinstall firefox.  I bet that fixes it. 

[Skunk Stripe]

Also, firefox comes pretty bare, if you have add-ons clogging things up, remove some of them or if you re-install, do not install so many add-ons.

[Scott S]

 After checking, I did NOT have Chrome installed. I think I removed it because someone said it might be interfering with Firefox.

 I installed Chrome and set it up as my browser. So far so good. Much faster than Firefox. I still have Firefox on my computer. If Chrome works out OK over the next few days, I'll uninstall Firefox.

[Scott S]

 Hmmm....I am having trouble viewing some videos. They have a .WMV extension and I set Media Player as my default player.
 Any suggestions?

[Skunk Stripe]

I use vlc player. Plays damn near anything, even region specific videos. Make sure you get it from the correct website as some sites are trying to push infected versions.

[SteveD CB500F]

I have found that Firefox (v3.6) is not tolerant of old versions of the Java Plugin.

I think they are up to about v22 now.

I'm beta testing Firefox 4 at the moment. It's twice as fast as 3.6 

[Scott S]

 Well, it seems that no matter how many updates or plug-ins I did, Firefox would just slow back down.
  I was told to try certain plug-ins but would get a message from Mozilla warning me that the plug ins could cause problems or not to use them.

 It was great at first, but I tired of it after a few months. I'll see how Chrome does.
 One thing I DID like is that I've been virus free since getting rid of IE.

[cookindaddy]

Firefox has worked great for me here for several years. I am running the Linux version 3.6.10.

No viruses (or virus checker) either.

[Skunk Stripe]

That is a benefit of linux. Downside is unless you know what you want, software-wise, linux is not all too friendly sometimes. I have had issues getting decent video and music players.
But even so, on windows and mac I do not have slow down issues on firefox.

[333]

Sorry I haven't weighed in on this yet, but I have a question or two.  Are you regularly clearing out cookies/temp files?  Are you running disk cleanup or using a cleaner like CCleaner?

Running a anti-virus alone will not protect you.  There are many things that clog up your computer and slow it way down.  I have run Firefox for years, and while an occasional script sneaks in, it gets stopped real quick.  Here's what I run, and it's all freeware;

1. Microsoft Security Essentials Anti Virus.  They update w/ Windows update and never nag you to upgrade to a "pay for version".  And they have a vested interest in keeping your machine virus free.
2. CCleaner from Piroform.  Used to be called CrapCleaner(so I'm told).  It cleans out the temp files and cookies and history.
3. Comodo.  This is a registry editor that helps virus' from changing registry values.
4. Spybot (w/ TeaTimer). This is adware protection, and among other things, will help with stray scripts.

This advice comes from a guy who goes to some nasty corners of the internet(and I'm not just talking about The Southside Dive Bar), and I've had no issues with speed.

[Stev-o]

333 - good advice, I use the ccleaner and spybot too. How 'bout defraggler? This seems to help me.

[333]

I haven't tried that yet.  Maybe tonight.

[Stev-o]

I haven't tried that yet.  Maybe tonight.

Guaranteed safe:

http://www.piriform.com/defraggler

[333]

Okay, downloaded and running on my night time machine.  Seems okay, but I had hoped it would be faster than the Windows utility.

[CBGhia]

Sorry I haven't weighed in on this yet, but I have a question or two.  Are you regularly clearing out cookies/temp files?  Are you running disk cleanup or using a cleaner like CCleaner?

Running a anti-virus alone will not protect you.  There are many things that clog up your computer and slow it way down.  I have run Firefox for years, and while an occasional script sneaks in, it gets stopped real quick.  Here's what I run, and it's all freeware;

1. Microsoft Security Essentials Anti Virus.  They update w/ Windows update and never nag you to upgrade to a "pay for version".  And they have a vested interest in keeping your machine virus free.
2. CCleaner from Piroform.  Used to be called CrapCleaner(so I'm told).  It cleans out the temp files and cookies and history.
3. Comodo.  This is a registry editor that helps virus' from changing registry values.
4. Spybot (w/ TeaTimer). This is adware protection, and among other things, will help with stray scripts.

This advice comes from a guy who goes to some nasty corners of the internet(and I'm not just talking about The Southside Dive Bar), and I've had no issues with speed.

I have never used Ccleaner, but if you want to clear cookies and temp files here are some short instructions.

In FireFox:  Tools- Options - privacy tab - if set to "show history" click on "remove individual cookies" then "remove all cookies"   if set to "use custom settings" click on show cookies then remove all cookies.  The got to the Advanced Tab - Network - clear now. 

In chrome:  click on the wrench- tools - clear browsing data  make sure you change the drop down box to "everything" and check the things you want to remove.

In IE:  Tools- Internet Options- under Browsing History click "Delete"  **uncheck the box labeled "Preserve favorite website data"  check the things you want to delete and click delete.

[333]

CCleaner cleans a bit more than the Windows or browser utilities.  And it tells you what you need to cleanse.  And it tells you how much space that crap took up.

[Bodi]

I've been using the Opera browser for many years. I also have FF installed for the odd page that Opera won't work with and Firefox is verrrrry slow compared to Opera. I tried Chrome and didn't like it. I've gotten hooked on Opera's "mouse gestures" that allow simple navigation and such without a click.
Firefox has inherited the old Netscape vexation of dog slow loading, made worse by its need to load endless extensions to do anything much. I had to install Silverlight (ugh) to make the system run a kids site (for the kids, honest!) and now it has some ".net" extension that takes forever to load and nags me for updates every time I start FF.
There is a FF extension that sortof does mouse gestures but it sucks compared to the Opera system.
The latest Opera version does support extensions so one can install adblock - this extension was the only reason to use FF in my opinion.
Chrome and opera are about equal on Java speed, FF is much slower and IE is so slow it hurts.
Anyway, enjoy Chrome. It's certainly better than IE or FF. You'll probably still need IE for those ba$tard sites (usually government or banking) that claim your browser isn't supported even though it is completely capable. Opera lets me pretend to be IE or FF and most of these sites will work that way, I don't know if Chrome has this subversive power.

[Stev-o]

I've used IE for years and don't feel the need to change. I have had a few issues, but usally a virus or infection and once repaired, was good as new.

On a side note, if you do have an issue, don't just take it somewhere to get repaired. Research the issue and follow the instructions for the repair, most times is is not difficult, but can be time consuming. And is best when having another computer next to the one you are working on.

[DavePhipps]

I just wanted to pipe in that I've experienced malware coming in on IE and Firefox. We don't use chrome in my support area so I cannot report on that.
I do know that IE8 on windows 7 is far more secure than on XP.
Last years hacking contest had chrome and IE8(win7) beating out Firefox in security.
Wish I had a link to the article, but it's on my work PC.

Here's the writeup for getting wmv files working in Firefox
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Windows%20Media%20Player%20plugin%20with%20Firefox?redirectlocale=en-US&redirectslug=Windows+Media+Player

[Zaipai]

I love how much quicker Chrome is/feels. However I don't like some of the times google has it doing in the background. So I use Chromium on Windows and Linux (Windows at work Linux at home) even on my old Mac I use once and a while. That said, I do love the sync feature, I always have my bookmarks and plugins and don't have to reinstall them should I redo the OS etc.. Just what I like. To each there own.

I really noticed a speed boost changing my DNS servers from my ISP's to Sprints DNS, they showed up as the fastest responding DNS servers near me in the DNS Benchmark utility from grc.com some really nice free utilities for security there..

.: Scott :.

Edit: I would also recommend using Microsofts Security Essentials as a VirusScanner instead of any of the other free VS's out there, http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ its fast light and works just fantastic.

[cb750dude]

I use Windows Defender, CCleaner. and Ad-aware. I run them once a month and have zero issues with speed. Hell, Ad-Aware and Windows Defender catches more crap than Norton ever dreamed of getting.

[tramp]

had norton for a couple of years
got rid of it
firefox
cc cleaner
 adware
microsoft securities
is what i run
no problems

[Skunk Stripe]

Win7 pro, firefox, msse, ccleaner, and malware bytes round out my usual list.
I used avg before and never had an issue but decided to try msse and it has been ok really. I tried opera 10 and was not impressed with the interface. It worked ok but I just didnt like using it. I do not care for safari on win or mac.
I am not sure I trust google enough to use their browser. I am not sure I want them knowing more about my browsing habits than they already do. Maybe it is paranoia.