Mac desktops forum: how to fix inability of imac to download?

I am running OS 10.6.8. The notice about checking for virus has always come up and still comes up after I click on the icon, photo, or pdf file that is attached to the Yahoo email I have received with it in. I am using Firefox. there is then a little note under where I have clicked that says "download now" and when I click on it it does not open it as it did before. There is a slight flicker up at the top left of the inbox, but nothing else. Also, before when I clicked download now, a box would open up behind the page that would show the item being downloaded. Then it would either open itself with Pages, or I could click on that and it would show in Finder where it was located. None of that happens now.

I am sorry I do not know much about the workings of computer though I have had this for a few years and have always loved the Mac. I hope you can help me. Does it mean my computer is too old and I need to gert a new one.

Did you install Anti-Virus software?

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I have not installed and Anti-virus software.

reinstall it from a fresh download.

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then go to your Home folder > Library > Preferences and delete the Firefox preferences.

that is NOT the library that is at the root of the HD but the one in your Home folder


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but it soon becomes easy to work around, especially if you use Tabbed browsing

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Tabbed browsing is either a choice or a default.

Safari Preferences has a Tab for Tabs.

When you open Safari, you will see a + mark at the top right of the window. Right underneath the word "Reader"
Click that and you will get a new page. Go anywhere you like and still have the original page open. If I am doing a lot of Googling, I will have a tab open at the Google page, find my stuff and, by right clicking the link, can have it open in a new tab.

Basically it is a way of having multiple pages open at the same time but without having multiple Safari windows open.
For instance, when I take a look through the Mac forums, I am able to have all the ones I look at, open at the same time. I just click on each of the separate tags to view each forum.

You will note in the Bookmark Bar, at the top of Safari, the word News with a little triangle next to it. Click the triangle and you will get a list of news sites and the line that says "Open in Tabs"
Click on that. You will see what Tabbed browsing is


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