Firefox running slowly

[welshmike]

I'm running Firefox 16.0.2 on Ubuntu 10.04.
It is now running slowly in opening some web pages, the window frequently goes dim and I have noticed from my ADSL modem that there is no traffic until the window goes bright again.
Could this be something to do with Mesa? If so is there a fix/bypass please?
I note that I do not get any problems with the Chromium browser 22.0.1229.79.

[Abhinav Kumar]

I'm running Firefox 16.0.2 on Ubuntu 10.04.
It is now running slowly in opening some web pages, the window frequently goes dim and I have noticed from my ADSL modem that there is no traffic until the window goes bright again.
Could this be something to do with Mesa? If so is there a fix/bypass please?
I note that I do not get any problems with the Chromium browser 22.0.1229.79.

Hi
Try increasing maxrequest in http pipelining in firefox.
Type about:config as url.
Confirm OK
Search for pipelining
Increase the number of network.pipelining.http.maxrequests from your present value.
Restart firefox

Also try to use only those extensions which are needed. otherwise disable or un-install them.

Regards,
Abhinav

[welshmike]

Hi
Try increasing maxrequest in http pipelining in firefox.
Type about:config as url.
Confirm OK
Search for pipelining
Increase the number of network.pipelining.http.maxrequests from your present value.
Restart firefox

Also try to use only those extensions which are needed. otherwise disable or un-install them.

Regards,
Abhinav

Thanks. Here's what I found that may be relevant

network.http.pipelining;false
(edit) have since changed above to network.http.pipelining;true
to see how it goes.
network.http.pipelining.max-optimistic-requests;4
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests;32

any suggestions please?

[mardybear]

Hi welshmike...

In my experience pipelining may/may not improve browser performance depending on your computer hardware and internet service provider. You'll need to tinker and test to find your optimal settings.

As already mentioned, uninstall all unnecessary add-ons.

If you're prepared to learn/use NoScript (also blocks flash), flashblock and/or adblock are add-ons that can really reduce your CPU usage when browsing.

Here are some of my favourite about:config changes to help my firefox run leaner, adjust to your liking, restart to ensure changes are in effect:
browser.bookmarks.max_backups, 3
browser.cache.offline.enable, false
browser.chrome.favicons, false)
browser.chrome.image_icons.max_size, 0
browser.chrome.site_icons, false
browser.display.show_image_placeholders, false
browser.offline, false
browser.sessionhistory.max_entries, 5
browser.sessionhistory.max_total_viewers, 5
browser.sessionstore.interval, 45000
browser.sessionstore.max_tabs_undo, 3
browser.sessionstore.max_windows_undo, 1
browser.tabs.animate, false
dom.ipc.plugins.enabled, false
ui.submenuDelay, 1

My dualboot Ubuntu runs firefox slower than my windowsXP. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, try changing your about:config network.http.max-connections from 256 down to 30 or 60. Restart and see if any better.

If all else fails, create a new firefox profile (resets everything) to see if this gets things running fresh again.

mardybear

[black veils]

try disabling the add-on ubuntu firefox modifications. if i ever get slow performance, thats what helps me.

[welshmike]

Hi mardybear,

Well my Firefox is running fast again now. It may well have been my ISP TalkTalk throttling broadband rate as it was over the weekend. Strangely I also noticed that the light on my modem/router stayed on and did not flash when I browsed to a different webpage from what I was looking at.

Cheers
Mike

[welshmike]

try disabling the add-on ubuntu firefox modifications. if i ever get slow performance, thats what helps me.

I spoke too soon and even with the mods disabled FF has gone into dull window and slow down just now. Time to use Chromium instead perhaps.

[mardybear]

Hi welshmike.

Sorry to hear your performance improvement was intermittent. My experience is that Chromium uses a lot more resources than Firefox plus i have more trust in Mozilla than Google. I would never personally change to Chromium.

You never mentioned if you tried all the changes and experimented. Did you try the about:config changes? Did you disable any add-ons (some are known to cause performance issues)? Did you restart Firefox between tweak attempts? Did you create/try a new profile? Do you regularly clear your cache (generally a good thing)?

Couple other things to try in your Firefox settings:

Encryption: open firefox preferences, click on advanced, select the encryption tab and under certificates, mark 'select one automatically'.

Network settings: open firefox preferences, click on advanced, select the network tab and open settings, if you don't use a proxy (most don't) then mark 'no proxy'.

mardybear

[welshmike]

Hi mardybear,

I applied all the changes you suggested and there was no improvement.
In fact this morning Firefox crashed.

[mardybear]

Hi welshmike...

Sorry i wasn't much help.

mardybear