Firefox nomming memory!

Niall · Sep 13, 2009, 18:26:27

I was sitting here before wondering why Firefox was REALLY sluggish, like something using a lot of memory. Sure enough, when I checked it was using 1gb! I uninstalled Flagfox thinking it might be an addon, then it occurred to me I've got no way of knowing what's causing it.

It's just occurred to me as I'm typing this that there was an update for Adobe flash a couple of days ago, so it's probably that again as it did that a while ago after an update, I seem to remember.

Anyone else seeing this? As I type my memory usage has gone over 500mb!

Rik · Sep 13, 2009, 18:27:52

85MB after a day's running, Niall. I do run Flagfox, so I don't think it's that. What other addons do you use?

Ray · Sep 13, 2009, 18:47:10

375Mb here, though I use quite a few add-ons.

Simon · Sep 13, 2009, 18:53:57

84Mb, running Sea Monkey. Yes, I know we're talking about Firefox, but I just thought I'd add it into the mix.

Rik · Sep 13, 2009, 18:56:58

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Ray · Sep 13, 2009, 18:57:27

Simon · Sep 13, 2009, 18:58:06

Nooo... it's using less resources than Firefox ever does on my machine, and that's with the email client running as well. It also doesn't take 3 or 4 minutes to start.

Rik · Sep 13, 2009, 19:01:38

We must get you off that 286, Simon, and onto a real processor.

Niall · Sep 13, 2009, 19:04:31

I'm sure it's the adobe flash plugin. It's the only thing I've updated in the last couple of days. I'm sure there's a thread (or was) on these forums about the same thing a while ago. I never have any problems with Firefox itself.

The only extensions I have are Twitterfox, adblock plus, flagfox, English dictionary, download helper, Google opt out and finally the .net framework assistant. None of which I've ever had problems with.

Plugins...

Adobe acrobat
Google update
Java platform
Windows media player
Quicktime
Realplayer
Shockwave flash

Basically the normal ones that come with Firefox, or ones you need to watch videos (like on teamtalk.com)

Rik · Sep 13, 2009, 19:06:20

Dump Acrobat Reader, Niall and get a copy of Foxit or better, PDF-XChange Viewer:

http://www.docu-track.com/downloads/users/

The rest should be OK.

Niall · Sep 13, 2009, 20:01:46

I forgot to mention that Firefox normally uses 50-60mb ram. I've just restarted it after readding Flagfox and it's running at 54mb.

I remember when people would moan if anything used more than 11

Den · Sep 13, 2009, 21:01:09

I changed across to Foxit and liked it very much until I found it would not open documents that I required each day from the Alarm Receiving Station I use. I uninstalled Foxit and installed the latest version of acrobat and have had no problems with it at all.

Sebby · Sep 13, 2009, 21:12:31

I've recently starting the switch from Firefox to Safari on my Mac. I've always been a big fan of Firefox, and I still prefer it, but it's getting to be a real memory hog, even with no add-ons.

Steve · Sep 13, 2009, 21:45:37

Not used FF for awhile now on the mac don't see any need for me personally.

Sebby · Sep 13, 2009, 22:03:22

I have to admit, there is actually quite a few Safari plugins available that give me the extras that I want from my browser (particularly Glims and Safari AdBlock), the only slight complication being that a few are awaiting Snow Leopard updates (though if you launch Safari in 32-bit mode, most work).

Supanova · Sep 14, 2009, 12:48:00

I used to use firefox but switch to google Chrome a while ago and I'm loving it. Quick, agile with a simple clean interface. Plus they moved 'open in new tab' to the top of the right-click menu

Rik · Sep 14, 2009, 12:49:47

I wonder what will end up being the 'new Firefox'?

JB · Sep 14, 2009, 13:04:21

Quote from: Niall on Sep 13, 2009, 19:04:31
I'm sure it's the adobe flash plugin. It's the only thing I've updated in the last couple of days.

This is interesting.

I too received the Adobe Flash upgrade for Firefox but noted that it insisted in installing an Adobe Download Manager as well. It also wanted to install a virus scanner, but I unticked that box. There didn't seem to be any way to have the Flash update without the Download Manager. I wasn't happy with this so restored from that mornings backup and am again running with the previous version of Flash.

If I can find a way of installing just the Flash upgrade without the other stuff (as used to be the case), I'll consider it. I don't want the Download Manager running as Flash is the only Adobe product I use, having Foxit installed for PDF's.

Gary · Sep 14, 2009, 13:12:20

As see it if you have enough Ram whats the worry? Most modern machines have 3GB and more so its there to be used, but on a limited machine Chrome would be a good bet if you do not use any of the firefox add-ons, not sure but I think Opera 10 uses a fair bit now as well. Im using 68mb right now with firefox.

Gary · Sep 14, 2009, 13:15:34

Quote from: 6jb on Sep 14, 2009, 13:04:21
This is interesting.

I too received the Adobe Flash upgrade for Firefox but noted that it insisted in installing an Adobe Download Manager as well. It also wanted to install a virus scanner, but I unticked that box. There didn't seem to be any way to have the Flash update without the Download Manager. I wasn't happy with this so restored from that mornings backup and am again running with the previous version of Flash.

If I can find a way of installing just the Flash upgrade without the other stuff (as used to be the case), I'll consider it. I don't want the Download Manager running as Flash is the only Adobe product I use, having Foxit installed for PDF's.

Just uninstall the download manager afterwards, its not needed.

Sebby · Sep 14, 2009, 14:39:50

Quote from: Rik on Sep 14, 2009, 12:49:47
I wonder what will end up being the 'new Firefox'?

I think it's fast becoming Chrome, which is strange, as I didn't like it when I tried it briefly on Windows. I guess Google have gone for what people want these days - speed and simplicity. I'm looking forward to the Mac version coming out, though I'm pretty happy with Safari for the time being. Firefox just feels quite sluggish in comparison, which is again strange as it once felt very rapid (though I guess anything does against IE!).

Gary · Sep 14, 2009, 14:48:09

Quote from: Sebby on Sep 14, 2009, 14:39:50
I think it's fast becoming Chrome, which is strange, as I didn't like it when I tried it briefly on Windows. I guess Google have gone for what people want these days - speed and simplicity. I'm looking forward to the Mac version coming out, though I'm pretty happy with Safari for the time being. Firefox just feels quite sluggish in comparison, which is again strange as it once felt very rapid (though I guess anything does against IE!).

I agree Sebby, but I have this nagging dubt over all things google which is the only reason I dont have it on my box, but it is fast and very simple from using it on other machines, makes you wonder what the Google OS will be like

Rik · Sep 14, 2009, 15:23:16

Like you, Gary, I don't quite trust Google, which is a shame when you think what they've done for the web.

Sebby · Sep 14, 2009, 15:47:32

I also don't trust them, fwiw.

JB · Sep 14, 2009, 16:06:28

Quote from: Gary on Sep 14, 2009, 13:15:34
Just uninstall the download manager afterwards, its not needed.

I tried that but it wouldn't uninstall. When attempting to uninstall it from "control panel/add or remove programs", although the uninstall button appeared to 'click' nothing happened and there was no error message.

It leads me to believe that there is something wrong with it which may or may not relate to Niall's previous posts.