Firefox Fixed My Browser Problem -- i.e., IE

I've been having problems -- not Milo Oblong problems, mind you -- good, old-fashioned computer problems.

The main one is that I'm unable to connect through Linux, so I'm forced to use XP to get online until I can find an external modem or get off my ass and figure out this WinModem... and since the whole two computer shoppes in this little town have nothing I can use in the way of modems and I am flat-out lazy... well, I connect through XP.

A few weeks back, strange things began happening: first-off, Windows Update would not connect. Kept giving the famous MicroSoft Error Code -- you know the one, the one you can't find, even after hours of searching that stupid error code database. My guess is you can never find it because MS ran out of numbers for error codes around Windows Millennium 2k, v.9, Flavor B, build 2340734097049.09174012940.8724 with built-in AOL 7.0923740974 (the one that shipped with Dungeons & Dragons 3.678854 -- remember?).

Then, my windows would auto-scroll to the bottom when I opened them -- not just IE browser windows -- all my windows. Task Manager, folder windows -- you name it. On-board AV found nothing; couldn't start HouseCall because of the auto-scroll problem; so I ended up loading BitDefender, and it promptly found... nothing.

I updated Java, changed Internet Settings, reset them to Default and changed them again, cleared the cache, deleted the cookies, defragged, manually deleted IE temp folder -- I mean, the whole nine -- with no results. One friend said it was a virus called "Windoze," another said it was spyware, but no program or service I used could find anything and copious manual searches proved fruitless.

Then, as suddenly as it had started, it stopped.

Until earlier today, that is.

Now, I could mention that both times this problem occurred was right after a quick trip to your favorite viral playground and mine (excepting the one you have to pay $30.00 a month for) -- but who would that surprise? Like that's even news.

Furious, I downloaded Yahoo! Toolbar and loaded their anti-spyware tool. It found 2 instances of adware and 1 "unknown hijacker." But, after I installed it and (both before and after) removed those bad guys, IE was crashing left and right, and Error Reporting kept telling me it had to do with an Add-On. I disabled them all to no avail. I removed Yahoo! Toolbar and rebooted. IE fell face-first on the desktop with the first window I opened.

I was over it.

I went and downloaded Firefox (I'd include a link, but the new site, Mozilla.Com, was down for hours last night, so I had to Google an alternate one...). I'd been meaning to do so for a while now, but until I found out what was wrong with my system, I didn't want to bother with it.

Now, let me say right here and now -- and I'm sure this is not news to anyone here -- Firefox is so nice, it's insane! I could kick myself for not having done this sooner. The colors work, the pages load, I have yet to receive an error (knock wood) of any kind on any page, Copy and paste is accurate... it feels like the first time I used broadband or, further back, the first time I called a BBS!

I feel like a virgin, a viir-ir-ir-gin, touched for the very first time!

Well, except that I'm sober. And my camp counselor is not in the room.

Now I'm downloading the Performancing for Firefox Blog Editor and if it's even half as effective as the browser, I may never shut up again.