Search fields on web prevent entry...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kenneth
  • Start date Start date
K

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,
 
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.
Click to expand...

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 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,
Click to expand...

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,
 
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,
Click to expand...

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,
Click to expand...

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,
 
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 said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
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. . .
Click to expand...
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,
 
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?
 
On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:38:22 +0100, Nightowl

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 :-)
Click to expand...

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?
Click to expand...

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

--
Nightowl


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

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 :-)
Click to expand...

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?
Click to expand...

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

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 said:
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,
Click to expand...


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 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.
Click to expand...

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,
 
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