Why are Chrome and Firefox so SLOW to load?

Okay.

So machine specs first...

Ancient (dating from Sept 2007!) Dell Vostro 200 Desktop / Core 2 Duo E4400 @ 2GHz / 4Gb DDR2 RAM / 160Gb Hitachi HDP7250GLA380 7200 HDD. On-board Intel G33/G31 Express Graphics.

Machine is PAINFULLY SLOW at opening Chrome or Firefox.

Firefox for example takes 43 seconds to open, Chrome around 90-120 sec :shock:

As a first try I've run Glarysoft Registry Repair (v5.0.1.127) and C.Cleaner (v5.59) [for some reason v5.9 won't install!].

Now to test if they have made any difference!

Zaph

Update. Well Chrome just took 18 sec. Now to test Firefox ... About the same (46 sec this time)

That's pretty much expected, given the limited hardware you have. Browsers have became a LOT more complex than they were in 2007, but the hardware stayed the same. You have a slow CPU (by today standards), relatively slow RAM, 4GB of memory begins to feel like a bit small, and a spinner HDD, it's not really a surprise that the latest browsers take ages to open.

The best option here is to upgrade what you can of hardware, or failing that, use older versions whenever possible. Trying a different browser could help too.

Alejandro85 said:

That's pretty much expected, given the limited hardware you have. Browsers have became a LOT more complex than they were in 2007, but the hardware stayed the same. You have a slow CPU (by today standards), relatively slow RAM, 4GB of memory begins to feel like a bit small, and a spinner HDD, it's not really a surprise that the latest browsers take ages to open.

The best option here is to upgrade what you can of hardware, or failing that, use older versions whenever possible. Trying a different browser could help too.

Click to expand...

Thanks.

I'm ashamed to admit that I hadn't thought of modern (bloated) software!

Zaph

I have a couple computers even older than yours. Note both have only single core CPUs.

Computer #1: Desktop (2002)
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2800+
RAM: 2GB (2x1GB) DDR 400
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce FX5900 (128MB)

Computer #2: Laptop (2004)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3400+
RAM: 2GB (2x1GB) DDR 333
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 4 440 Go (64MB)

Firefox 48.0.2 tested

Computer #1:
Time to open 1st time: 30 sec,
Time to open 2nd time: 5 secs

Computer #2:
Time to open 1st time: 75 sec,
Time to open 2nd time: 10 secs

I am using the same version of Firefox for comparison. The process is to first open Firefox and then close it. That is followed by opening Firefox again. Notice how much faster Firefox opens the second time.

I suggest when you first log onto your computer open Firefox and then close it unless you need to use it then. From then on until you log off Firefox should open a lot faster.

Try that and report back if that works for you.

MisterEd

Why does Firefox open the second time faster please?

Snick said:

MisterEd

Why does Firefox open the second time faster please?

Click to expand...

Did you try starting Firefox, exiting it, and then restarting it? Did it start faster the second time?

I am not certain but part of Firefox may still be running after the first time you start it. That would allow it to start faster after the first time.

These are new installs of Firefox so I expected them to start up pretty fast. As I use them they will probably slow down. I will probably have to go in and clear Firefox 's cache and delete the temp files to speed thing up.

MisterEd

I agree! I think it may have to do with checking for updates, FF and add-ons. If auto updates are not needed, i.e. FF and add-ons are up to date, it shortens the time to open.

1) Old and tired CPU with modern software. As you put it ancient. If you must use that computer online maybe try an older version of the browser. One from that day and age. I know with Firefox you will have to create a new profile but you can import your bookmarks. I'm not sure if the passwords can be carried over. Note that this isn't very secure and could result in website compatibility issues.
2) Issue with plugins. I don't think that it very likely considering that this is happening with 2 browsers.
3) Running a registry cleaner. They are overrated and sometimes cause more issues than they fix.

Thanks for the suggestions folks.I have been researching lightweight browsers (i.e. not resource or CPU hungry) and have the following list (no particular order):

• K-Meleon (Gecko/FF based)
• Midori (Open-Source based)
• Comodo Ice Dragon (FF-based) or Comodo Dragon (Chromium-based)
• Vivaldi (Chromium based) review notes say it will crash occasionally and that scrolling isn't always a smooth process (are they just being too honest?)
• Slimjet (Chromium-based)
• SlimBrowser (same basically as Slimjet (above) but Gecko/FF based)
• SRWare Iron (Chromium-based, very similar to Chrome)
• AVG Secure Browser
• and, dare I say it, Microsoft Edge?

Pale Moon (Goanna/FF based) looked to be a runner, however a note says that Pale Moon will not run on very old systems (I guess my 15-year-old system counts as one of those) and lacks compatability with older Firefox Etensions. Apparently it works very well with Win 10/11 though.

Links to download sites below for those interested .

I prefer Chrome to Firefox (although I used to be a staunch supporter of FF when IE was around and before Chrome appeared), so I'm looking at Comodo Dragon, Slimjet, SRWare Iron or AVG Secure.

Probably looking towards Comodo or AVG for the built-in security features.

Thoughts folks?

Zaph

Download links:

K-Meleon (Gecko/FF based) K-Meleon download | SourceForge.net
Midori (Open-Source based) Download Midori - free - latest version
Comodo Dragon (Chromium-based) or Ice Dragon (FF-based) Best Internet Browser 2022 | Free Secure Web Browser
Vivaldi (Chromium based) Notes say it will crash occasionally and that scrolling isn't always a smooth process (are they just being too honest?) https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/Vivaldi.5.1.2567.66.x64.exe
Slimjet (Chromium-based) Fastest web browser that blocks all ads and protects your privacy - Slimjet
SlimBrowser (same basically as Slimjet (above) but Gecko/FF based) Fastest web browser for Windows
SRWare Iron (Chromium-based, very similar to Chrome) SRWare Iron - The Browser of the Future
AVG Secure Browser AVG Secure Browser Download (2022 Latest)
Microsoft Edge (Chromium based) https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge

Pale Moon Pale Moon for Windows downloads

Hope this helps someone!

I have my doubts it's the age of the computer.

For a basic quick check, use safe mode for Firefox. To do this, press and hold the shift key while double clicking the Firefox icon.

There could be other things. Malware, Adware, PUPs, crap you have installed, etc.


If you're a Chrome fan, check out UnGoogled Chromium. I use that for a plain vanilla Chrome browser (I use several browsers). Once you add add-ons the game is up in terms of Google privacy. On the other hand, add-ons now-a-days are made with Webextension code which is a massive privacy/security risk.

and my 50cents....


Identical browser setups on all --- Palemoon and Waterfox
(i allways UNcheck -- check to see if this is my default browser)

on my 3 systems --- the slowest to load is my highest spec machine!!!!! about 5-10 secs, Palemoon
(waterfox is less than 5 on all)


my old 2007 Acer 4gb, mid range hp 8gb, newest 32gb --- all with SSD's

Snick said:

MisterEd

Why does Firefox open the second time faster please?

Click to expand...

RAM, a page file.

- - - Updated - - -

townsbg said:

1) I'm not sure if the passwords can be carried over.

Click to expand...

Passwords (if someone uses the browser for passwords, I wouldn't) are stored in a file called key4.db in the profile. It's a SQLite database file and is encrypted, but can be cracked. Decrypting Browser Credentials For Fun (But Not Profit)

So, in absence of Bitwarden or Keepass and relying on the browser for password storage, someone could XSS your browser and your precious passwords... And there are a number of other possible vulnerabilities as well...

Hi F22,

F22 Simpilot said:

I have my doubts it's the age of the computer.

Click to expand...

Okay - why do you say that? The pc is 15 years old - practically steam-powered with on-board Intel graphics (no separate graphics card)!

For a basic quick check, use safe mode for Firefox. To do this, press and hold the shift key while double clicking the Firefox icon.
There could be other things. Malware, Adware, PUPs, crap you have installed, etc.

Click to expand...

Unlikely, I feel, as several scans using programs such as CCleaner haven't found anything (and yes, I know that not finding anything is not the same as nothing actually being there!)

If you're a Chrome fan, check out UnGoogled Chromium. I use that for a plain vanilla Chrome browser (I use several browsers). Once you add add-ons the game is up in terms of Google privacy. On the other hand, add-ons now-a-days are made with Webextension code which is a massive privacy/security risk.

Click to expand...

Do you have any thoughts about the alternatives I posted in post 9 (this thread)?

torchwood said:

and my 50cents....

Identical browser setups on all --- Palemoon and Waterfox
(i allways UNcheck -- check to see if this is my default browser)
on my 3 systems --- the slowest to load is my highest spec machine!!!!! about 5-10 secs, Palemoon
(waterfox is less than 5 on all)
my old 2007 Acer 4gb, mid range hp 8gb, newest 32gb --- all with SSD's

Click to expand...

Hi Torchwood,

is PaleMoon running on a Win7 machine? If so, what is the version number please?

Several sites have mentioned it and you've also recommended it.

Never come across Waterfox. Checking that out now.

Cheers,

Zaph

Snick said:

MisterEd Why does Firefox open the second time faster please?

Click to expand...

This is caching at work and modern operating systems do it extensively.

When an application starts it must load the applications executable files, DLL's, and other supporting files. Windows doesn't load everything initially, just as it is needed. This can be quite time consuming, particularly with a conventional disk. But once data is in memory the memory manager will try to keep it there for as long as possible, consistent with other requirements. This is caching. With data in memory already there is no need to go to the disk to load it and much time is saved. The more memory you have the more data can be cached and the longer it can be kept in memory. The memory used for cache is considered as available and can be used by other applications as needed.

Thanks for the thoughtful explanations to my question.

ZaphodB said:

Hi F22, Okay - why do you say that? The pc is 15 years old - practically steam-powered with on-board Intel graphics (no separate graphics card)!

Click to expand...

Because I gave my parents an old Dell Optiplex 780 and it uses a dual core CPU and runs the latest Firefox without issue. In fact, it's running Firefox in something called Sandboxie to boot.

If you don't believe me I'm willing to do a full on video of it. I kid you not, there is no slow down or anything, and that's probably because I maintain my hardware and my family's hardware extraordinarily well. When you click on the Sandboxie icon in the taskbar of their computer to launch Firefox I suppose it takes maybe 2 seconds if that to load. Again, I'm willing to do a video of it if you don't believe me. LOL

I'm wanting to migrate my parent's to one of those mini PCs which would be faster, but not really needed. I just want them to have a more modern tech and a lower consumption of power and to minimize parts that can go out versus the beefier hardware like the 780. I already have to probably replace the CPU fan as it was making noise. And to those that are reading this, Dell has a lot of their fans wired different... so just know that...

Having said that, go back and read what I said again, all of it...

Do you have any thoughts about the alternatives I posted in post 9 (this thread)?

Click to expand...

Yes, but I'm not in the mood to write a book right now. I do use Pale Moon as my everyday driver, but this browser is NOT for everyone. I also use no less than four other browsers for various stuff as well... Sometimes I'll download the latest portable Firefox or Chrome for use with a website and then delete it with File Shredder Tool just because. My computer uses FDE anyway.

F22 Simpilot said:

Because I gave my parents an old Dell Optiplex 780 and it uses a dual core CPU and runs the latest Firefox without issue. In fact, it's running Firefox in something called Sandboxie to boot.

If you don't believe me I'm willing to do a full on video of it. I kid you not, there is no slow down or anything, and that's probably because I maintain my hardware and my family's hardware extraordinarily well. When you click on the Sandboxie icon in the taskbar of their computer to launch Firefox I suppose it takes maybe 2 seconds if that to load. Again, I'm willing to do a video of it if you don't believe me. LOL

Click to expand...

Hi F22

You using a SSD as the boot disk??

Seems awful fast for a physical disk (just interested)

Zaph

Yep, I live in the 21st century... And it's a SSD however, not NVMe. I don't even use NVMe in my desktop. One day I might though. But getting that to work in Windows 7 might be like trying to pull teeth from a pregnant badger... Plan on going with a stripped down Windows 11 one day.


My only use for platters at this point in time is because the enterprise grade Hitachi's I buy are cheaper in a price per MB versus flash media. I own four 2TB Hitachi enterprise grade platters for encrypted disk clones, data backups, etc.

Having said that, if you're still using a platter for the main drive your answer was quite obvious as to why Firefox et al took 20 seconds to load. On the other hand, I can ALSO launch Firefox portable on my platter in no time at all as well. I could probably do the same in a one core instance of a VMware virtual machine.

Again, I'll do video if you think I'm lying or something. I'll need time though. I always post the truth and the facts with a little bit of educated opinion. I have no dog in some show and I certainly don't get paid for wasting my time here trying to help people with their tech issues...

FF and my chrome derivatives launch in not time at all and I have a platter drive. However I have alot more horsepower and 8 gb of ram.

It could very well be his CPU since he's mentioned in other threads it's only 2 GHz. But I kinda doubt that would be an issue either. I have to try portable Firefox in a one core instance of VMware and see what happens. It may just be the architecture of his CPU...