Optimise Firefox for broadband
Believe it or not, Firefox is optimised for dial-up connections by default. You need to change some settings to get the browser's best performance over DSL, cable or other broadband links.
Undocumented tips help you get more from Firefox
Before you change anything, back up Firefox's configuration file; return to the page "Better Default Google Search" and scroll down to "Back Up FireFox's 'Registry' " for details.
Next, open Firefox and press Ctrl, L to place the cursor in the address bar. Type about:config and press Enter. Then enter network.http in the filter field. Now make the following changes:
In the field of 'Preference Name' choices (click on the thumbnail at right to see the screen), double-click network.http.pipelining to set it to 'true'.
Next, double-click network.http.pipelining.maxrequests to bring up the 'Enter integer value' dialog box. Enter a higher number than the default 4; 15 works for me. Press Enter.
Double-click network.http.proxy.pipelining to set it to 'true'.
Right-click anywhere on the page and select New, Integer. Enter nglayout.initialpaint.delay and press
Move your Firefox bookmarks and settings to a new PC
Amazingly enough, Firefox doesn't include an obvious, intuitive way to migrate the program's settings to a new PC. (I guess it's my job to tell you how to do it.)
On the old PC, close Firefox, select Start, Run (Start in Vista), type %appdata%\mozilla, and press Enter. The resulting Windows Explorer window will contain a folder named Firefox. Using a network or external drive, copy that folder to the new PC.
On the new PC, install, open and then close Firefox. If reopening it doesn't bring up the import wizard, close Firefox and open it again. When the wizard (which is useless in this situation) comes up, just press Cancel, and close Firefox.
Next, select Start, Run (Start in Vista), type %appdata%\mozilla, and press Enter. Rename the Firefox folder something like frominstall, and then copy the Firefox folder from the old PC to this location. Finally, open Firefox and relish your old, familiar settings.
Quick links
- Download Mozilla Firefox here
- Read our Mozilla Firefox review here
- Keep tabs on Firefox tabs
- Keyboard shortcuts and bookmarks in Firefox
- Find your new Firefox bookmarks a good home and prune dead bookmarks
- Better default Google search in Firefox and Back up Mozilla Firefox's 'Registry'
- Customise Firefox keyword search, and search a web page quickly
- Purge private data from Firefox
- Revise your Firefox history
- Optimise Firefox for broadband
Comments
macgarrett said: Just optimesed firfox for broadband have virgin and the speed improvement is incredible At least 50 so thanks for a terrific article
Martin said: I appreciate this article is about Firefox and I used to use it Now however I find that Opera knocks spots off it for speed on my dial-up system I still have Firefox and Iexp on my computer but going to FFox from Opera is just as bad as going from FFox to IExp I just dont understand why people persist in recommending FF and largely ignoring Opera Perhaps broadband users wouldnt notice the increase in speed but it makes a helluva difference to me