A problem with access to certain features on the CH forum

I have a variety of computers mostly running XP. On one i use frequently i cannot access the "replies to my recent posts". As you know this is usually accessed by opening forums and then placing the cursor over "Posts" and there it is in the list. However on the affected computer when i do this the only option under Posts" is to open all posts that have recently occurred on all the forums. Hardly what i seek. This up to now has necessitated my going to this computer where i know it will result in success. Suggestions please.truenorth

[Moderator]

1) Have you tried a different browser?
2) The tried & true first troubleshooting method: delete all cookies and empty the Temporary Internet Files Folder (and the index.dat file if you like) if using IE.

Thanks for your assistance Allan, Tried both the cookies and temp file delete--no change.Both browsers are IE. The one on the comp. with the issue is definitely running IE6. The other is hard to determine but due to it's issue date-july 2006. I suspect it too is ver.6 (this computer)
  You might wonder why it is that i cannot be more certain as to this computer's IE version.That is because when my initial browser window is opened (both have the same home page) this one does NOT have the tool bar (file,edit,etc.). Therefore there is no "help" to ascertain the version. I find that difference to be odd!
  On both those computers i do not have any other browsers. I know there are others (i am using Opera on a 3rd one). I did have Foxfire for a while on one or both of these 2 but i seemed to have a lot of issues of conflicts with IE so i deleted Foxfire. I am aware that Foxfire is highly reccommended. Haven't done anything to the "index.dat file" as yet. What would be the consequences of removal of that file? truenorth

[Moderator]

To enable the menu bar right-click on the search box and click on MENU BAR. The only consequence of note with deleting the index.dat file is that all cookies will be deleted.

You might want to try a different browser to see if the same problem exists.

Allan, i am responding to your last post on the computer with the issue .I assume when you refer to "search" you mean the search function on the extreme right hand side of the open CH forums page. When i right click on that word (search) it opens a small window with a variety of options--none of which is "menu bar". However without putting a search request into the box none of the options presented are available. They are all greyed out. I note your suggestion re an alternative browser. I may update the IE browser. However i have read of issues with newer versions and if memory serves i have done so at some earlier time and i too had issues so i went back to ver 6. Appreciate your help.truenorth

Allan was referring to the "Search bar" that is on the toolbar. If you don't have a menu bar, a toolbar, addressbar, or any of those to right click on... well, then I don't know how you browse


Provide a screenshot of both systems; at the very least we can identify the version.

BTW: the dropdown doesn't seem to work right in IE6.

BC, Thank you for coming on board. I note your request and i shall comply (if i can) as soon as possible. I will tell you at that time " well, then I don't know how you browse ". truenorth

BTW: the dropdown doesn't seem to work right in IE6.

Right, I discovered that yesterday when I did a rare bootup with Win 98SE on my dual-boot system and opened IE6.  Those drop down menus (Home, Help, Profile, etc.) do not work with IE6.

OK here goes. This was a considerable effort. It involved 2 computers, installing some software, and flash drives, and file conversions. So in the end I hope I accomplish it all.
  To address Soybeans comment re the IE 6 version I have overlaid the window displaying the IE version on the computer that I cannot access the “posts” drop down window on. You will see that it is IE 6. You will also see the “tool bar” on the explorer page. One can also (i hope) see the overlay of the drop down "profile" window and the info from it. So that part is NOT affected as the "posts" is.
  On the other image you will note—no tool bar. This is the one however that does offer the “posts” drop down menu with access to “replies to my posts”. This is also the computer that I cannot determine for sure what the version of IE is (though as stated earlier I believe it is also ver 6.
  To answer BC’s question of “how do I browse”. There are many ways.
1. Most of my often used sites are in the drop down URL window.
2. I have many other sites stored in category folders on my desktop.
3. Access from home page or other web sites.
4. From Google searches.
5. If I have a URL address I can type it into the URL window.
   OK it is time to bite the bullet and see if I can attach the 2 screen shots.
truenorth

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

I may update the IE browser. However i have read of issues with newer versions and if memory serves i have done so at some earlier time and i too had issues so i went back to ver 6.

With the length of time now since IE7 was released, followed by IE8, I can't imagine still using IE6.  Frankly, continuing to use IE6 with Win XP just doesn't make sense.

You might want to try a different browser to see if the same problem exists.

I'm sure Allan wasn't referring to a different version of IE in the above statement. He was referring to Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.  There are plenty of options, so why continue to labor with IE6?  Firefox is probably the easiest of the alternative browsers for IE users to transition to.

[Moderator]

I'm sure Allan wasn't referring to a different version of IE in the above statement. He was referring to Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.  There are plenty of options, so why continue to labor with IE6?  Firefox is probably the easiest of the alternative browsers for IE users to transition to.

Correct

[Mod & Malware Specialist]

For me personally, the only browser that even comes close to comparing with IE6 is Bologna.

This is due to a limitation to IE 6. After completing the update to the Computer Hope site I'll be going back and seeing if I can make the forum more accessible to users still using 6.0. Although the percentage of 6.0 users is low I always try to make things as compatible as possible. Even if it is a nine-year old browser. 

If my updating takes too long you could also consider using one of the alternative themes, adjustable through your Profile settings.

Thank you all,Yes i had interpreted the suggestion (Allan) to change browsers as being to a different browser as opposed to a new version of IE. You will note that i had tried to upgrade to a later version of IE (8 i believe) and there were problems that arose from that (some commented on by others in google searches). Yes i had also endeavored to try other browsers also (firefox as an example). However if i am not mistaken the addition of another browser still will not permit a removal of any IE version as i believe it is part of Windows and cannot be removed. As i stated that caused certain what i believed were conflict issues. So something had to go.
  I am of the school that believes if it ain't broke don't fix it. Yes,yes i do accept that it may be broke. But i have tried to fix it and you know the results of that. So perhaps i am in the mode of "better the devil you know" stage. To the "CH Administrator" It is not necessary just for me to go to the trouble that would be needed to solve this issue for IE 6 users. I am sure there are great demands on your time that adding this to your plate is unnecessary. Unless of course there is a great demand for it by other forum members. I have evolved the solution for me which is to use the computer that does display the drop down i desire. However sometimes for other reasons it is not on and i must leave the other to go to it. So it was more of a conundrum as to why it was happening rather than a complaint.truenorth

However if i am not mistaken the addition of another browser still will not permit a removal of any IE version as i believe it is part of Windows and cannot be removed. As i stated that caused certain what i believed were conflict issues. So something had to go.

Sorry, but this is absolute non-sense.  There's absolutely no need to remove IE if you install another browser.  Installing a browser other than IE does not cause "conflict issues".  Just set one browser as default.