MetaChat - Is there a way

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17 August 2006

Is there a way to have Firefox NOT CRASH whenever there's an embedded video on a page? I don't want to switch browsers; this is the only thing about Firefox I can't stand. I'm sure it's a simple setting but my laziness is going to let one of you who've already figured this out to tell me how. It happens at work and at home, latest version of Firefox, Windows XP/NT.

post by: mike9322 at: 15:37 | 6 comments

It might not be firefox. I'm guessing that it might be a codec problem.

control panel -> add/remove programs

- remove anything resembling a video codec (which you don't recognize or isn't from adobe or something), download and install ffdshow and perhaps quicktime alternative and DIVX codec.

Do you know which format the embedded videos that are giving you problems are in? I used to have horrible crashes when trying to view embedded quicktime. Uninstalled quicktime, installed quicktime alternative and viola.

Does youtube/googlevideo crash? iirc, those are flash based so if those crash it might not be a codec problem.

To be on the safe side, try to uninstall flash and download and install the latest version.

posted by porpoise 17 August | 15:57

Sorry, should have clarified - Flash is fine. Looks like wmv and mpg are the main culprits. I've set up firefox to download any video links but embedded video seems to crash Firefox without fail.

Perhaps it's Quicktime - I think the only codec you mentioned I don't have is QA. Maybe the quicktime plugin is trying to handle all embedded vids.... though can it play wmv? In any case, I'll give it a try, thanks.

posted by mike9322 17 August | 16:02

Did you already try getting rid of extensions and deleting your profile? Those are right up there with 'reboot' and 'stop doing that' in the pantheon of generic computer advice.

posted by box 17 August | 16:28

have you considered linux? firefox never crashes on linux. of course, it never plays embedded videos either, but at least it doesn't crash.

posted by quonsar 17 August | 21:10

If anyone is still reading this, this page fixed my problem.

posted by mike9322 19 August | 18:49

Huh - interesting, albeit apparently overcomplicated. At least there are people who can sort through MS crap and share workarounds.

posted by porpoise 20 August | 13:07

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