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Resolved Question

Using Google and Bing on IE9 & Firefox

Aug 13, 2011 6:55PM PDT

Hi

I'm having problems using search engines using IE and Firefox. It's a bit bizarre really. I go to the serach bar and type in my query but as I type it appears that the browser isn't recognisng the key strokes.

The first letter will appear but subsequent key strokes do not appear to be picked up, For example if I search for goldfish the browser will detect "g" but typing in the subsequent letters can take a while (almost like it's freezing up).

However entering text into a form on a website (for example I'm not having any problems typing this question) is fine.

Is there a way to overcome this?
Thanks

Discussion is locked

tomg35 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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I wonder
Aug 13, 2011 9:31PM PDT

Just a wild guess from me, but I wonder if the History in each browser is building up and up, and so when you search, there is a lot to go through. EG typing "g" will cause the search function to locate all "G's", but if History has never been cleared, there might be thousands of entries in the list.

Check each browsers' History settings. Is History ever deleted?

Mark

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Checked that
Aug 13, 2011 10:09PM PDT

Hi - thanks for the reply, I clear out IE on a regular basis and in Mozilla has an add on that clears it out when closing the browser.

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In that case I'm not sure.
Aug 14, 2011 9:49PM PDT

When you start to type in the search bar, click the down arrow, and see what is listed.

For example, type g then look at the pull down list. If there is no pull down arrow, just press the 'down arrow' on your keyboard and see if a list appears. If so, is it a long one?

In Firefox, with an empty search box, click the down arrow next to the search provider icon. This 'should' give you a list of search provider options, and also a "Manage Search Engine List". Click that.

Do you have many in your list? If so, what happens if you remove some, or move one of the others to the top, then test again?

Mark

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Tried that
Aug 15, 2011 4:06AM PDT

Tried "g" in IE list was 5 words long,

In Firefox I have 7 providers in the search options (must be the default list because I'm sure that I didn't choose them - I've never heard of Chambers (UK)). I'll trim the list to Bing and Google and see if this helps.

Typing "g" in the search bar in Firefox comes up with a list of ten words.

Thanks for your suggestion

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In that case,
Aug 16, 2011 5:30AM PDT

this is getting serious.

First off, try reviewing your Add-ons, both for IE and for Firefox. I don't understand why this is happening 'only' in the search box toolbar but the same is happening in both browsers. In your first post you said this was bizarre, and I agree.

Look to see what add-ons are installed. In Firefox you can try the browser's "No Add-on" option as descibed here;
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Safe%20Mode

For IE, goto Start > All programs > Accessories > System Tools > "Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons)".

The purpose of the test is to see if any add-ons are causing this effect in each browser.

If search works properly then, that points to a bad add-on or a bad toolbar.

If that fails, I would be tempted to run a cleaner called CCleaner from http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER . Make sure you only go to that site because there are fake CCleaners about. It's free, and the stock, (default), settings to remove temporary files should be fine. If you have Cookies that you do not want CCleaner to remove, go to the utilities Options then Cookies to move the ones you want to save to the right hand column, Then run the cleaner.

But if that doesn't solve the issue, then the serious part begins and I am thinking malware like a keylogger, or worse, even a rootkit. So, first of all, read Grif's post below and follow his instructions and guidance to download install and run three utilities, RKill, MalwareBytes' Anti-malware, and SUPERAntispyware.
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-19411_102-5128854.html?tag=posts;msg5128854

It's important to follow his guidance carefully.

That should take care of malware, and hopefully keyloggers. Rootkits are a different proposition.

Mark

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Progress
Aug 17, 2011 5:49AM PDT

Hi
Thanks fo your suggestions.

I disabled all but two of the search options in firefox and that made a difference.

IE without add ons was 0lso quicker which, as you suggest, points to an add on (I don't use toolbars).

I'll disable them all and run one by one to see which is the culprit.

Thanks
Tom

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Brilliant.
Aug 17, 2011 8:53PM PDT

That really is because the alternatives were getting a little scary. Sad

I wonder if there was a specific search option causing the problem? Like you I have never heard of Chambers (UK) before although I see I have it in Firefox as well.

Hmm, I've just used it. I don't use Search myself so I had to add it as a toolbar item via Customize and I changed the option to Chambers (UK). It is a Thesaurus! "Chambers 21st Century Dictionary". That could be quite useful for me as I am always looking for words and alternatives.

I think I know what's happening. My list is the same as yours, (I think);

Google, Yahoo, Bing, Amazon, (.co.uk as I am in the UK), Chambers (UK), eBay, (.co.uk), Wikipedia.

Using ISS, (International Space Station), as a test and there is a definite delay between each key press and the character displaying.

I think Firefox is sending the search item through to 'all' options.

So, I don't think it is any single option causing the delay, although Amazon and eBay would probably take time acknowledging the data being sent, even if they are not used to display any content. That would account for the delay in each character showing up.

I'm going to keep my search menu item in Firefox, but I will be removing Amazon, eBay and Bing.

With IE there is a difference in how search is organised but as I don't use IE I haven't really tested it. But I limited my IE search options to just one when I set IE up.

Mark

Addendum: It is certainly Amazon and eBay. I removed those, (and Bing), and the display of characters is instant.

Mark

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Thanks
Aug 20, 2011 9:11PM PDT

Thanks again for your help Mark