Owen et al, I was visiting my son who uses an old computer supplied and configured by me...he has the same problem...same pages.
I use System Mechanic as a maintenance tool including a PopUpBlocker. I disabled the pop up blocker and it looks as though that has fixed the problem.
Thanks for all your good and valued assistance and advice.
Ken

Glad your sorted

KenU, thanks for popping back and telling me, that could help others in future. I'll note down the name of that app.

Owen, thanks ...glad that I was able to add to the store of knowledge.
The programme is System Mechanic by iolo at iolo.com.
When I saw that my son had the same problem I realised that it was something that I had installed. Thing is that I have been using it and the previous version for a long time so either Iolo has changed something or Microsft/Firefox have changed something. It seems more likely that it is the former.
The pop up killer must see some web pages as pop ups although the web page can flash up before the browser shuts down whereas genuine pop ups never appear.
Thanks again and keep up the good work ....I may be back sometime!
Ken

I would generally guess that the Iolo software is in the wrong. You could perhaps take the time to report this issue to Iolo and it may help them and others who have the problem.

Owen, I have contacted Iolo ...will advise outcome.
Ken
PS.. Donation also made...thanks.
Ken

Originally Posted by KenU

PS.. Donation also made...thanks. Ken

Thanks very much Ken

Owen, below is response from Iola....
......If appears as if your MSN Hotmail login window has been added to the Popup stopper Black list. I would search this list and remove anything that lists Hotmail in it's name......

I scrolled through and guessed which MS explorer might be the cause when trying to log in to hotmail. I was lucky and access is now OK with Popup Stopper running. However for other non MSN pages I could not see any entries that might be the cause.
So partial success from Iola.
Suggest that we close the thread now.
Ken