Need Help Using Google

[Jethro]

Suddenly when I double click on desktop shortcut to
http://www.google.com
I get an error window that says in part:
Windows cannot find 'http://www.google.com'. Make sure you typed
the name correctly and try again.
When I click OK, it brings up Google search window (in Firefox) just
fine.

So what is wrong? How do I fix it?

Thanks

Jethro

 

[Ron Badour]

Either create a new shortcut or if Firefox permits it, set Google as your
home page and then there will be no need for a special shortcut.

 

[dobey]

Actually, this is a problem with web links in general, any link in the
Favourites list. It only started
happening sometime since the last couple of Firefox or Windows updates.

It occurs if no session of Firefox is running, and it is the default
browser.

I'm fairly certain it is because Firefox takes several seconds longer than
IE to fire up, so an error is returned to Windows, prompting it to display a
"Cannot Find <URL>, try searching" message. However Firefox does start and
displays the correct page, whether you click OK or not.

If the OP starts Firefox then double-clicks the google link, he will find no
message appears.

Were I a cynic I would suggest MS has reduced the timeout, (or whatever
mechanism they use), to make Firefox users think something is wrong, or just
annoy them back into using IE.

To the OP, did you just update Firefox, or Windows? When you say "suddenly",
today, yesterday, two weeks ago?

I want to get rid of the message as well, but it's not that bothersome to
me.

 

[Jethro]

Either create a new shortcut or if Firefox permits it, set Google as your
home page and then there will be no need for a special shortcut.

Thanks for response Ron -

I deleted the shortcut, and created a new one to
'http://www.google.com' (same as before).
The problem remains.

I have my own home page (c:\myhomepage.html), so I would rather not
use Google as home page. I tried it anyway and voila! no error
window. I wonder why this problem is occurring now after all these
years.

Jethro

 

[Jethro]

Actually, this is a problem with web links in general, any link in the
Favourites list. It only started
happening sometime since the last couple of Firefox or Windows updates.

It occurs if no session of Firefox is running, and it is the default
browser.

I'm fairly certain it is because Firefox takes several seconds longer than
IE to fire up, so an error is returned to Windows, prompting it to display a
"Cannot Find <URL>, try searching" message. However Firefox does start and
displays the correct page, whether you click OK or not.

I do notice that.

If the OP starts Firefox then double-clicks the google link, he will find no
message appears.

I saw that also.

Were I a cynic I would suggest MS has reduced the timeout, (or whatever
mechanism they use), to make Firefox users think something is wrong, or just
annoy them back into using IE.

To the OP, did you just update Firefox, or Windows? When you say "suddenly",
today, yesterday, two weeks ago?

I would say - yesterday or just maybe today. Can't be sure.

I want to get rid of the message as well, but it's not that bothersome to
me.

Nor to me - I just wondered.

Thanks again

Jethro

 

[dobey]

I do notice that.


I saw that also.


I would say - yesterday or just maybe today. Can't be sure.

Nor to me - I just wondered.

Thanks again

Jethro

<snip>

I've also just noticed the message doesn't appear if no session of Firefox
is runing and you follow a URL in an Outlook Express message. I haven't
another email client or newsreader to test those.