Computer questions? Please help?

ReenieHJ

I have an older HP laptop and it's been showing signs of age lately. I'm as inept at technology as anyone you've probably met. It took me almost 2 hours just now to be able to simply get here. I tried refreshing Firefox(I kept getting a notice that Firefox wasn't responding) and restarting several times. I'm embarrassed to say I also tried emptying my cache but couldn't find it do that, plus it kept slowing down and stopping. I know it's time for a new laptop but I don't know how to set one up; my dd walked me through this one and I have nobody here to help me. I also know this laptop must be crowded with so much crap and that's part of the problem.
I just want to clear my cache and see if I can keep it running until I can find someone to help me buy and set up a new computer. I'm really stupid when it comes to this stuff, it's as if my brain automatically shuts down. Any recommendations for when I do go computer shopping?? I need easy, very very easy.
Thanks for any help you can offer!!!
Now that it seems to be working a bit better(maybe just a morning glitch?)I'll hunt around my settings and try to clear my cache and history.

ReenieHJ

Ok, let me try a different question.
I think it's Firefox that's messed me up today so I switched to Chrome and that seems to be working alright so far(knock on wood ).
Has anybody else found Firefox to be more trouble than it's worth?