Firefox sticks at "Looking up..."

Carbon X · 07-23-2008, 02:47 PM

I'm using Windows XP, SP3. My computer is a Dell Optiplex GX270 (full tower, not the smaller horizontal things), 3.20 GHz processor with 1GB RAM.

Whenever I go to a website, Firefox will "Look up" the site. I've -never- had this problem before. When I go to google, it used to take a blink of an eye. Now, it says "Looking up www.google.com...", and takes 5 seconds just for that. I did use Firefox 3, that's where the problems started happening. I reinstalled, and it was still happening. I downgraded to FF 2.0.0.16, where it USED to work, and it's happening there as well. It's making me quite mad, in all honesty. How do I fix it?

**jamiemac2005** · 07-24-2008, 02:19 AM

Is it on every website? it suggests that your pc is connected to a modem/router which isn't connected to the internet correctly. Or that it uses some form of encryption and your authentication details aren't correct.

What's your network setup?

All i can advise is go check your router/modem and if possible try another pc on the network.

Cheers,
Jamey

Carbon X · 07-24-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiemac2005

Is it on every website? it suggests that your pc is connected to a modem/router which isn't connected to the internet correctly. Or that it uses some form of encryption and your authentication details aren't correct.

What's your network setup?

All i can advise is go check your router/modem and if possible try another pc on the network.

Cheers,
Jamey

This does not happen on any other computer on the network. It's a simple DSL modem to my Linksys router, through my CAT5 cable to my computer. It's on most websites, yes. It's never happened before about two weeks ago, and it's frustrating to say the least!

**jamiemac2005** · 07-24-2008, 07:22 AM

It's on most? not all?

it's hard to think of what this could be, can you link the problem with anything that changed 2 weeks ago?

Cheers,
Jamey

Carbon X · 07-24-2008, 09:38 AM

It's on most of the websites. Some haven't done it yet, but it generally happens on all sites. Nothing has changed since two weeks ago. I'm running Zone Alarm and Peer Guardian 2, and I've disabled both of them, and it still happens. I've done Windows Updates, and that's helped a lot, but it still happens.

Would this have to do with Firefox itself, or rather my browser being hijacked?

**jamiemac2005** · 07-24-2008, 10:20 AM

You could try checking for malware, theres not a lot else i think it could be.

Read this thread and follow the instructions: IMPORTANT - Read This Before Posting For Malware Removal Help

Cheers,
Jamey

kinbard · 07-24-2008, 10:28 AM

Have you installed any toolbars lately? Some toolbars get installed inadvertently when installing software. I've seen myself almost install toolbars that way. Also click tools (some versions of firefox you will need to click view instead), options, security. Is "check by asking ----- about each site I visit" checked? For me ---- is set to google.

Carbon X · 07-24-2008, 11:06 AM

jamiemac2005: I'll check for malware and get back to you.

kinbard: Google is on there, but it is NOT checked. I've not installed any toolbars lately, I've checked for them and nothing is there. The only add-ons to Firefox that I use are Ad-block Plus!, and Download Statusbar.

kinbard · 07-24-2008, 11:28 AM

It really sounds like an anti-phishing adon. Does it do that in IE too on that computer?

Carbon X · 07-24-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinbard

It really sounds like an anti-phishing adon. Does it do that in IE too on that computer?

Nope, or it's not as bad to where I can't notice it... but I don't trust IE at all (gotten a lot of spyware from using it).

I've done a Panda ActiveScan, and it found a few things, the log is below. I've also installed Spyware Blaster, as directed, as well as the IE-Spyad.

Should I run Hijack This! and post the log?

kinbard · 07-24-2008, 01:10 PM

I can't comment on the scan, as I am not a member of the security scan. If you want you can post it in the hjt forum. The link is in my signature.

Carbon X · 07-24-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinbard

I can't comment on the scan, as I am not a member of the security scan. If you want you can post it in the hjt forum. The link is in my signature.

Alright, I've posted a thread in the Hijack This! forum, and will await a reply.

kinbard · 07-24-2008, 02:23 PM

Good luck. If you come back clean we will pick it back up from there.

07-23-2008, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Carbon X Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 OS: Windows XP, SP3	Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." I'm using Windows XP, SP3. My computer is a Dell Optiplex GX270 (full tower, not the smaller horizontal things), 3.20 GHz processor with 1GB RAM. Whenever I go to a website, Firefox will "Look up" the site. I've -never- had this problem before. When I go to google, it used to take a blink of an eye. Now, it says "Looking up www.google.com...", and takes 5 seconds just for that. I did use Firefox 3, that's where the problems started happening. I reinstalled, and it was still happening. I downgraded to FF 2.0.0.16, where it USED to work, and it's happening there as well. It's making me quite mad, in all honesty. How do I fix it?

07-24-2008, 02:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
jamiemac2005 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 911 OS: Win Vista Home Premium & Ubuntu Hardy(8.04)	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." Is it on every website? it suggests that your pc is connected to a modem/router which isn't connected to the internet correctly. Or that it uses some form of encryption and your authentication details aren't correct. What's your network setup? All i can advise is go check your router/modem and if possible try another pc on the network. Cheers, Jamey __________________ =]

07-24-2008, 07:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
jamiemac2005 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 911 OS: Win Vista Home Premium & Ubuntu Hardy(8.04)	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." It's on most? not all? it's hard to think of what this could be, can you link the problem with anything that changed 2 weeks ago? Cheers, Jamey __________________ =]

07-24-2008, 09:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Carbon X Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 OS: Windows XP, SP3	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." It's on most of the websites. Some haven't done it yet, but it generally happens on all sites. Nothing has changed since two weeks ago. I'm running Zone Alarm and Peer Guardian 2, and I've disabled both of them, and it still happens. I've done Windows Updates, and that's helped a lot, but it still happens. Would this have to do with Firefox itself, or rather my browser being hijacked?

07-24-2008, 10:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
jamiemac2005 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 911 OS: Win Vista Home Premium & Ubuntu Hardy(8.04)	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." You could try checking for malware, theres not a lot else i think it could be. Read this thread and follow the instructions: IMPORTANT - Read This Before Posting For Malware Removal Help Cheers, Jamey __________________ =]

07-24-2008, 10:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." Have you installed any toolbars lately? Some toolbars get installed inadvertently when installing software. I've seen myself almost install toolbars that way. Also click tools (some versions of firefox you will need to click view instead), options, security. Is "check by asking ----- about each site I visit" checked? For me ---- is set to google. __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

07-24-2008, 11:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
Carbon X Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 OS: Windows XP, SP3	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." jamiemac2005: I'll check for malware and get back to you. kinbard: Google is on there, but it is NOT checked. I've not installed any toolbars lately, I've checked for them and nothing is there. The only add-ons to Firefox that I use are Ad-block Plus!, and Download Statusbar.

07-24-2008, 11:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." It really sounds like an anti-phishing adon. Does it do that in IE too on that computer? __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

07-24-2008, 01:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." I can't comment on the scan, as I am not a member of the security scan. If you want you can post it in the hjt forum. The link is in my signature. __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

07-24-2008, 02:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Firefox sticks at "Looking up..." Good luck. If you come back clean we will pick it back up from there. __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair