Syntax errors when trying to search from address bar

[Guest]

I am on an XP Home, using SP2 and IE 6 - without the SP1. This problem only
began after I re-installed Windows XP and SP2 last week. The re-installation
was due to a problem with an HP digital camera and was suggested by HP.

My problem: I cannot search from the address bar. I receive a syntax error
message, i.e. I type "rolling stones" and IE doesn't search but tries to go
to the website "http:///? rolling stones", resulting in "Invalid Syntax
Error" being displayed in the title bar on IE and "The page cannot be
displayed" in the main window.

Additionally, I will enter a website address, minus the "http://www." and it
will go to the site only 50% of the time. The rest of the time, I get the
invalid syntax error.
I have tried all the "fixes" suggested in other peoples' posts regarding the
same or similar problem and nothing seems to help. I have reset my web
settings, checked my options to ensure "search from address bar" is selected,
checked the registry, checked to see if there had been a hijack attempt ...
everything suggested in the posts I read. Nothing worked.

Am I out of options here?

 

[Robert Aldwinckle]

I am on an XP Home, using SP2 and IE 6 - without the SP1. This problem only
began after I re-installed Windows XP and SP2 last week. The re-installation
was due to a problem with an HP digital camera and was suggested by HP.

My problem: I cannot search from the address bar. I receive a syntax error
message, i.e. I type "rolling stones" and IE doesn't search but tries to go
to the website "http:///? rolling stones", resulting in "Invalid Syntax
Error" being displayed in the title bar on IE and "The page cannot be
displayed" in the main window.

Looks like you don't have a search provider.
BTW you should explicitly enter the ? when you
want to invoke your Address bar search provider.
The reason that the ? was generated for you is probably
the space. But it you don't get in the habit of entering the
? (or find or go) with your search terms you will find you
have problems when you try entering a single word
or even a partial URL which does not have either an
IP address or a server listening on port 80.

Additionally, I will enter a website address, minus the "http://www." and it
will go to the site only 50% of the time. The rest of the time, I get the
invalid syntax error.

Perhaps there is no IP address or server available under such
a partial web address? Check with nslookup?

I have tried all the "fixes" suggested in other peoples' posts regarding the
same or similar problem and nothing seems to help. I have reset my web
settings, checked my options to ensure "search from address bar" is selected,

That doesn't check that you actually have a search provider though.

checked the registry, checked to see if there had been a hijack attempt ...
everything suggested in the posts I read. Nothing worked.

Am I out of options here?

You mean should you quit taking blind stabs at a solution? Yes.
Sounds like you need to do some diagnosis.
Present your hypotheses and observations here if you like.


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
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