I Have A Long Running Problem With My Laptop..

[askyourgran]

For the past two days I have only been able to work on my laptop for an about hour and then the next three - four hours I'm unable to use it at all, it freezes. This happens on a regular basis. There is a programme running in the background which stops everything. I'm using a HP Vista Windows 7 using Firefox browser, (there are often times when a plug-in stops working and firefox is not responding). When the freeze occurs a script appears at the bottom left of the screen 'Transferring data 1473..or waiting for delivery platform switchad, waiting for ads..pubmatic. etc'. It is driving me nuts I can't continue working or close down because of the constant update or whatever it is doing. It seems to have finally subsided for now so I must shut down. I will log on again tomorrow. Does anyone have a solution? Please.

[Buenchico]

Go to Tools > Add-ons > Extensions and note down the names of any extensions you wish to keep (because you're about to remove them all!). Then go to Help > Troubleshooting Information and click on the 'Reset Firefox' button. Reinstall your extensions. Cross your fingers.

[askyourgran]

Fingers already crossed I don't know which ones I should keep or ditch. Thanks Chris I'll hve a go.

[askyourgran]

I have Reset Firefox, so I will wait to see if it solves the problem. There seemed to be add-ons and extensions which I didn't know about - some dubious ones but they have gone now. Thanks Chris.

[richardcheer]

check the mainboard. Usually I suggest the following steps.

1. check if you installed new app recently. If yes, uninstall it and restart.
2. check if there is any virus. Restart and press F2/F8/F12/F1 to login in security mode. Scan your computer with anti-virus app. If any, remove it.
3. check if the mainboard or memory card is poos contact. Pull out, clean with a soft cloth and insert it again.
4. send it to your laptop provider for a maintenance.

[askyourgran]

Thanks richard, I haven't knowingly added anything new to my laptop recently, but it seems to slow down and recently come to a full stop while it is 'busy' updating or whatever it is doing. And the plug-in stops working. Not really up to pulling the main board out and messing with it. It has behaved a bit better since I re-started Firefox.

[askyourgran]

Should have said I have Microsoft Security Essentials, and Malwarebytes which i run every so often.