• View
• Edit
• History
• Source
• Backlinks
• Set Attributes

• login

Explanation

In certain cases, Firefox may exit abnormally and leave a process used by it in memory. If you attempt to open Firefox directly, or a URL in Firefox you will get an error message that "Firefox is already running but not responding." This document explains how to "kill" this vestigial process allowing you to use Firefox again.

Instructions

1. Press alt F2
2. A small panel-like window called the "run-box" will appear, at the top or middle of the screen. This window allows you to send commands directly to the UNIX system, you do not have to understand these commands yourself. Type killall firefox-bin and press [enter]. (You must type this in lowercase with one space and one hyphen exactly as shown. This command orders UNIX to terminate the unwanted process.

Nothing will appear to happen, you can now open Firefox again.

Notes

If Firefox is closed normally and you attempt to open it twice in rapid succession the two Firefox-processes may fail to communicate properly with each other, generating this error. If a Firefox window or windows soon appear normally, disregard the error.

In some cases, after following this procedure Firefox may advise you that it closed abnormally and offer to restore your tabs/windows.

If you ever open the run-box by accident click the "X" to close it or press esc

Categories: Workstation, Software, Internet