Randy, Thanks for your reply...really appreciate your taking the time to do that. I do have Firefox set to clear all private data upon closing the browser, and am glad to hear you have confidence that it does so. I have an older version of Window Washer and it does the job on IE, but it doesn't contain the option to add Firefox. I understand that newer versions do. I hadn't heard of CCleaner, but you have me curious now so I may check it out. Thanks again for your help Hal

press ctrl+H if it's empty, then AFAIK, history is "gone". i see messages like that occasionally. i assume they're bugs (or one bug that interacts with more than one script), but haven't worried about it. could check mozillazine.org (busy, but is not official mozilla.org forum)

there are some wonderful add-ons for firefox that you will want to add, first is ad block plus with the easylist subscription that will block all the annoying ads you normally see. To do that click to add it to fire fox then when is says you need to restart firefox do that then go to the link for easylist and click on where it says add easylist to ad block plus you can restart firefox again to make sure it took Adblock Plus :: Add-ons for Firefox EasyList there you go that will install ad block plus and your easylist for you. Check out the add-ons page you will find so many that will help you. Like the no squint that was mentioned NoSquint 2.1 this link may be a little outdated but a lot of it will still apply to the new version of firefox Learn Firefox to change your font size and type in firefox click on Tools options that will bring up your settings box. Go through those various tabs to learn what all is there. The first page will have your homepage settings, and where you want thing to go to when you do a download. Under content you can change fonts and sizes etc the privacy tab has some settings you may want to look at and adjust, I always block 3rd party cookies. when you need to clear your cache or cookies etc just click on Tools then clear recent history that brings up the options for exactly what you want cleared and also pay attention to the time frame option it has a drop down menu to select from.

Okay, using the Firefox "troubleshooter" I went to plug ins and set and changed "shock waver" from always on to ask. All seems much better - so far. Right now the CPU Utilization is so low the processor speed, a slow 1.4 Ghz is backing down to slower speeds to save power, this is a Laptop and does what it can to extend battery life even if the A/C is attached, or so it seems. I tried to view a video on Youtube and it asked me to enable Shock Wave, I did and the video play normally and the CUP utilization was still well below the old 90% level. This my be the culprit - I wonder what IE does about Shock Wave, I'll try to find out later. Another mystery: HOW DO I BOOT IN SAFE MODE in W8? Yes I know I'm shouting but that's how I feel about Microsoft at the moment, maybe a Mac is in my future, when I'm "rich and famous".