Why are Chrome and Firefox so SLOW to load?

ZaphodB · 14 Mar 2022

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

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)

Alejandro85 · 14 Mar 2022

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.

ZaphodB · 14 Mar 2022

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.

Thanks.

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

Zaph

MisterEd · 14 Mar 2022

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.

Snick · 14 Mar 2022

MisterEd

Why does Firefox open the second time faster please?

MisterEd · 15 Mar 2022

Snick said:

MisterEd

Why does Firefox open the second time faster please?

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.

Snick · 15 Mar 2022

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.

townsbg · 15 Mar 2022

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.

ZaphodB · 20 Mar 2022

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...567.66.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!

file3456 · 21 Mar 2022

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.