Zotero freezing my Firefox browser

philippa
As soon as I try to use Zotero, my entire browser freezes -- the message at the top shows that it's Zotero which is unresponsive but Firefox forces me to shut everything each time this happens. I thought this had begun to happen after I downloaded Cisco VPN client and Skype to this machine. I've now removed both from my computer but the problem remains. I'm using current versions of Zotero and Firefox on a PC. Anyone else having this problem? Thoughts for a solution?
  • philippa
    The problem does seem to be limited to one particular computer. I checked on another machine and everything was behaving fine. I run NoScript on both these computers, so I assume that's not the problem. The only other changes I had recently made were the two programs mentioned above, both now removed from the system. Right now I literally can't use Zotero on this computer because every time I try to do anything other than just load it, the entire Firefox operations freezes. At the top of the screen, I get that horrible empty box and the "program not responding" message Windows loves to send its users. I'd really appreciate some help here.
  • adamsmith
    did you make sure that the skype call button add-on in FF got un-installed, too? That's been known to interfere with Zotero.

    I'd try running FF with noscript (and all other add-ons) disabled to make sure that's not the cause of the problem.
    If all else fails I'd consider re-installing Firefox - it could very well be that its freezing on Zotero is just a symptom.
  • dstillman
    As soon as I try to use Zotero, my entire browser freezes -- the message at the top shows that it's Zotero which is unresponsive but Firefox forces me to shut everything each time this happens.
    What are you referring to, exactly? Do you mean Zotero for Firefox or Zotero Standalone? If the former, what message indicates that Zotero is unresponsive?

    If you're referring to Zotero for Firefox, it might just be a large auto-sync when you open the Zotero pane, in which case you just need to be patient and let it finish. The next version of Zotero includes a better progress indicator for large syncs.
  • philippa
    To Dan: Zotero for Firefox, I assume, since I'm opening Zotero at the bottom of a screen it shares with Firefox. When I try to use it, the blue box at the very top of the screen where Firefox tells you which programme you're using notes Firefox as "not responding."
    I don't think it's just syncing since everything just stops working. When I close the browser, I get the programme not responding/end now box -- which doesn't sound to me as if anything at all is going on. And it's only happening on one computer which suggests it's a local problem and not a syncing problem, no?

    To Adamsmith: Control Panel doesn't show any Skype at all anymore, so presumably the call button add-on is gone? Not sure how to disable NoScript temporarily: could you advise? I'd be happy to give that a go, but there's nothing on the NoScript website to tell me how one goes about disabling (as opposed to uninstalling) NoScript.
  • adamsmith
    edited October 30, 2011
    philippa - on disabling add-ons see 7.) here
    http://www.zotero.org/support/troubleshooting_translator_issues
    (the rest of the site doesn't apply to you). The Skype Call button would be listed there as well if it's still installed.

    edit. forgot URL

    edit2: From what you describe this could very well be what Dan says - just try to wait for 10mins or so next time this occurs (10 mins is likely way too long, but let's be safe here).
  • philippa
    No idea why but suddenly Zotero and Firefox are making nice with one another. I got a post-sync message from Zotero about competing versions of a few citations -- followed the instructions to deal with those and voila, everything's behaving as it should again. If the problem recurs, I'll try the various fixes adamsmith and Dan have suggested (and thanks much for those) and report on efficacy or otherwise for the sake of others who may experience similar frustrations.
  • adamsmith
    sounds like Dan was right then - no need to try disabling add-ons then.

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