Search fields on web prevent entry...?

[Guest Kenneth]

Howdy,

 

On systems that run XP, we have trouble with search fields

on the web. I use IE7 as my browser.

 

If a site has a search field, here's what happens:

 

If I type my intended search at normal speed, I see that

many of the characters I have entered do not actually

appear.

 

I see the instructions (for example: "Search for", or "Enter

Search") appearing, then disappearing, every half second or

so. Those hover near the entry field itself.

 

It seems that while "Search for" is visible, nothing can be

entered, so when I type at normal speed, any characters I

enter while those instructions are visible, do not appear.

 

If, very slowly, I manage to enter four or five characters,

the alternation (and the blocking of characters I wish to

enter) stops, and I can type normally.

 

Sincere thanks for any help on this,

--

Kenneth

 

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[Guest Kelly]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

Hi Kenneth,

 

Each and every time? Either way, check to see what else is running in the

background. You may want to start your troubleshooting from there.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

--

 

All the Best,

Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

 

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

 

 

"Kenneth" <usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote in message

news:q0rbe3he8745co6kk160hg1o0181n9top2@4ax.com...

>

> Howdy,

>

> On systems that run XP, we have trouble with search fields

> on the web. I use IE7 as my browser.

>

> If a site has a search field, here's what happens:

>

> If I type my intended search at normal speed, I see that

> many of the characters I have entered do not actually

> appear.

>

> I see the instructions (for example: "Search for", or "Enter

> Search") appearing, then disappearing, every half second or

> so. Those hover near the entry field itself.

>

> It seems that while "Search for" is visible, nothing can be

> entered, so when I type at normal speed, any characters I

> enter while those instructions are visible, do not appear.

>

> If, very slowly, I manage to enter four or five characters,

> the alternation (and the blocking of characters I wish to

> enter) stops, and I can type normally.

>

> Sincere thanks for any help on this,

> --

> Kenneth

>

> If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:38:38 -0500, "Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org>

wrote:

>Hi Kenneth,

>

>Each and every time? Either way, check to see what else is running in the

>background. You may want to start your troubleshooting from there.

>

>Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Hi Kelly,

 

Yes, every time, and on many sites...

 

Of course, I have tons of things running in the background.

Might you have thoughts on where to start?

 

Thanks,

--

Kenneth

 

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[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:49:58 -0400, Kenneth

<usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:38:38 -0500, "Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org>

>wrote:

>

>>Hi Kenneth,

>>

>>Each and every time? Either way, check to see what else is running in the

>>background. You may want to start your troubleshooting from there.

>>

>>Good luck and keep us posted.

>

>Hi Kelly,

>

>Yes, every time, and on many sites...

>

>Of course, I have tons of things running in the background.

>Might you have thoughts on where to start?

>

>Thanks,

 

Hi again,

 

It is odd. On some fields it does not happen, and on others

it always does (and that can be on the same site.)

 

For example:

 

I just went to wikipedia.org. The globe logo opens, and on

the bottom of the page is a search field. I can type into it

perfectly.

 

After a successful search, I am brought to another page that

has a search field on the left.

 

As soon as I attempt to click on that field to move the

cursor to the appropriate location to type, I get the

repeating instruction "Search Wikipedia [alt-F], and that

prevents the entry of keystrokes as I have described.

 

If, instead, I go to amazon.com, the homepage has a long

search field at the top. I never have a problem there.

 

Also, on the Amazon home page, there is no "tip" hovering

over the search field. On Wikipedia, there is.

 

Thanks for any further thoughts,

--

Kenneth

 

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[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:59:00 -0400, Kenneth

<usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:49:58 -0400, Kenneth

><usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote:

>

>>On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:38:38 -0500, "Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org>

>>wrote:

>>

>>>Hi Kenneth,

>>>

>>>Each and every time? Either way, check to see what else is running in the

>>>background. You may want to start your troubleshooting from there.

>>>

>>>Good luck and keep us posted.

>>

>>Hi Kelly,

>>

>>Yes, every time, and on many sites...

>>

>>Of course, I have tons of things running in the background.

>>Might you have thoughts on where to start?

>>

>>Thanks,

>

>Hi again,

>

>It is odd. On some fields it does not happen, and on others

>it always does (and that can be on the same site.)

>

>For example:

>

>I just went to wikipedia.org. The globe logo opens, and on

>the bottom of the page is a search field. I can type into it

>perfectly.

>

>After a successful search, I am brought to another page that

>has a search field on the left.

>

>As soon as I attempt to click on that field to move the

>cursor to the appropriate location to type, I get the

>repeating instruction "Search Wikipedia [alt-F], and that

>prevents the entry of keystrokes as I have described.

>

>If, instead, I go to amazon.com, the homepage has a long

>search field at the top. I never have a problem there.

>

>Also, on the Amazon home page, there is no "tip" hovering

>over the search field. On Wikipedia, there is.

>

>Thanks for any further thoughts,

 

and a bit more info...

 

I am working on two machines side-by-side. I have described

what happens with the problem system.

 

On another when I go to the wikipedia site and move to that

second page, I see the floating "tip" but it is not

alternating. It just stays "On."

 

Then, when I move the cursor to the search field, the tip

vanishes, and I can enter characters.

 

All the best,

--

Kenneth

 

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

Hi Kenneth

 

What happens on that Wikepedia page if you use your keyboard to reach

the search box instead of clicking in it? (Use Alt-Shift-F, not alt-F).

Do you still get the problem with the tooltip? I'm wondering if it could

be a mouse problem of some kind. . .

 

 

Kenneth <usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>I just went to wikipedia.org. The globe logo opens, and on

>the bottom of the page is a search field. I can type into it

>perfectly.

>

>After a successful search, I am brought to another page that

>has a search field on the left.

>

>As soon as I attempt to click on that field to move the

>cursor to the appropriate location to type, I get the

>repeating instruction "Search Wikipedia [alt-F], and that

>prevents the entry of keystrokes as I have described.

>

>If, instead, I go to amazon.com, the homepage has a long

>search field at the top. I never have a problem there.

>

>Also, on the Amazon home page, there is no "tip" hovering

>over the search field. On Wikipedia, there is.

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:55:36 +0100, Nightowl

<owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>Hi Kenneth

>

>What happens on that Wikepedia page if you use your keyboard to reach

>the search box instead of clicking in it? (Use Alt-Shift-F, not alt-F).

>Do you still get the problem with the tooltip? I'm wondering if it could

>be a mouse problem of some kind. . .

>

>

Howdy,

 

'Great question, and I have not thought to try...

 

But, the result is the same when I try Alt-F.

 

Thanks for any further thoughts,

--

Kenneth

 

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

Hi Kenneth, I'm a bit confused by your reply: you did use Alt+Shift+F,

didn't you, not Alt+F? (For me Alt+F opens the File menu -- probably

just a typo, but best to be clear :-)

 

Assuming that you did, can you try swapping the mouse to see if it makes

any difference? And if that doesn't, maybe try another browser, such as

Firefox or Opera, in see if it's an IE7 issue?

 

 

Kenneth <usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:55:36 +0100, Nightowl

><owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>

>>Hi Kenneth

>>

>>What happens on that Wikepedia page if you use your keyboard to reach

>>the search box instead of clicking in it? (Use Alt-Shift-F, not alt-F).

>>Do you still get the problem with the tooltip? I'm wondering if it could

>>be a mouse problem of some kind. . .

>>

>>

>Howdy,

>

>'Great question, and I have not thought to try...

>

>But, the result is the same when I try Alt-F.

>

>Thanks for any further thoughts,

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:38:22 +0100, Nightowl

<owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

 

Hi again,

 

Please see my comments inline below...

>Hi Kenneth, I'm a bit confused by your reply: you did use Alt+Shift+F,

>didn't you, not Alt+F? (For me Alt+F opens the File menu -- probably

>just a typo, but best to be clear :-)

 

Ooops. I had tried Alt+F earlier. Then, seeing your note

above, I tried again with Alt+Shift+F, but it does not work.

 

On the site I have described the tip that keeps cycling on

and off actually says "[search Wikipedia Alt-F] and, in

error, I thought that you were suggesting that I use

keystrokes to enter the search field thus killing the tip

that prevents proper typing.

 

When I enter Alt+Shift+F it seemed, at first, to do nothing

at all. I tried it when the cursor was already blinking in

the search field (with the tip cycling on and off thus

preventing proper typing.) Then, I experimented further and

found that if I clicked to another part of the page

Alt+Shift+F moved the cursor to the search field, and killed

the tip. So, in fact, it does work!

>

>Assuming that you did, can you try swapping the mouse to see if it makes

>any difference? And if that doesn't, maybe try another browser, such as

>Firefox or Opera, in see if it's an IE7 issue?

 

I just plugged an external mouse into the box with the

trouble (a laptop) but the problem persists.

 

I would prefer not to experiment with other browsers

particularly because I now have your work-around (and

another that was suggested to me elsewhere (double clicking

just above the search field, and then hitting Tab.)

 

Sincere thanks for your help!

--

Kenneth

 

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

You're very welcome! Glad to hear you've found a way around the pesky

prob.

 

--

Nightowl

 

 

Kenneth <usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:38:22 +0100, Nightowl

><owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>

>Hi again,

>

>Please see my comments inline below...

>

>>Hi Kenneth, I'm a bit confused by your reply: you did use Alt+Shift+F,

>>didn't you, not Alt+F? (For me Alt+F opens the File menu -- probably

>>just a typo, but best to be clear :-)

>

>Ooops. I had tried Alt+F earlier. Then, seeing your note

>above, I tried again with Alt+Shift+F, but it does not work.

>

>On the site I have described the tip that keeps cycling on

>and off actually says "[search Wikipedia Alt-F] and, in

>error, I thought that you were suggesting that I use

>keystrokes to enter the search field thus killing the tip

>that prevents proper typing.

>

>When I enter Alt+Shift+F it seemed, at first, to do nothing

>at all. I tried it when the cursor was already blinking in

>the search field (with the tip cycling on and off thus

>preventing proper typing.) Then, I experimented further and

>found that if I clicked to another part of the page

>Alt+Shift+F moved the cursor to the search field, and killed

>the tip. So, in fact, it does work!

>

>>

>>Assuming that you did, can you try swapping the mouse to see if it makes

>>any difference? And if that doesn't, maybe try another browser, such as

>>Firefox or Opera, in see if it's an IE7 issue?

>

>I just plugged an external mouse into the box with the

>trouble (a laptop) but the problem persists.

>

>I would prefer not to experiment with other browsers

>particularly because I now have your work-around (and

>another that was suggested to me elsewhere (double clicking

>just above the search field, and then hitting Tab.)

>

>Sincere thanks for your help!

[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:02:55 +0100, Nightowl

<owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>You're very welcome! Glad to hear you've found a way around the pesky

>prob.

 

Hi again,

 

Might you have any thoughts about why this should be machine

specific? I have the difficulty only on one XP box.

 

Thanks again,

--

Kenneth

 

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

Kenneth <usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:02:55 +0100, Nightowl

><owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>

>>You're very welcome! Glad to hear you've found a way around the pesky

>>prob.

>

>Hi again,

>

>Might you have any thoughts about why this should be machine

>specific? I have the difficulty only on one XP box.

>

>Thanks again,

 

 

Hi Kenneth

 

You didn't mention it but I'm guessing you are using IE7 on the

machine(s) that don't show this problem too? In which case it's probably

not that, unless it's some rogue setting somewhere. . .

 

The fact that it's a tooltip causing you grief, and that the Alt_Shift+F

key combination worked, still makes me suspect it's something to do with

the mouse. I know you swapped it and the second mouse showed the same

behaviour; could it maybe be something to do with video hardware

acceleration? That often manifests in weird mouse symptoms. It might be

worth nudging the slider down a notch or two and seeing if that makes

any difference.

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest Kenneth]

Re: Search fields on web prevent entry...?

 

On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 05:03:45 +0100, Nightowl

<owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>Kenneth <usenet@soleSPAMLESSassociates.com> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>

>>On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:02:55 +0100, Nightowl

>><owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>>

>>>You're very welcome! Glad to hear you've found a way around the pesky

>>>prob.

>>

>>Hi again,

>>

>>Might you have any thoughts about why this should be machine

>>specific? I have the difficulty only on one XP box.

>>

>>Thanks again,

>

>

>Hi Kenneth

>

>You didn't mention it but I'm guessing you are using IE7 on the

>machine(s) that don't show this problem too? In which case it's probably

>not that, unless it's some rogue setting somewhere. . .

>

>The fact that it's a tooltip causing you grief, and that the Alt_Shift+F

>key combination worked, still makes me suspect it's something to do with

>the mouse. I know you swapped it and the second mouse showed the same

>behaviour; could it maybe be something to do with video hardware

>acceleration? That often manifests in weird mouse symptoms. It might be

>worth nudging the slider down a notch or two and seeing if that makes

>any difference.

 

Hi again,

 

Indeed, other systems run IE7, and don't show the problem.

 

In addition, I had restored all the drivers in the hope of

solving this thing, but no luck.

 

So, for now, with the work-arounds I have, I will happily

live with the mystery.

 

All the best, and sincere thanks,

--

Kenneth

 

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