even resetting with about:config my search words get misdirected
firefox 4, now updated to 5, continues to deny simple searches in the location bar. So, if I enter "Woody Allen" I am directed to the normal sites, but if I click on, say, Wikkipedia, I get a completely irrelevant website. I can still use the small search window and select, say, Wikkipedia, and then get what I want. But before this sudden change, all I had to use was location bar for any search. More timeconsuming and frustrating.
Alle svar (7)
Hi David,
Sorry I do not understand exactly what you are explaining. I am wondering if it is a problem with the autocomplete feature of the location bar.
- have you seen Address bar autocomplete suggestions in Firefox
- are you missing the dropdown listing, or some expected results within that; and if so can you see what is missing after reading and looking at the screenshot pictures from the above article.
What have you changed (with previous and current values ) in about:config and why?
If you are in private browsing your history will not be saved.
John, my explanation is probably not clear. I also am computer-challenged. The location bar site you doesn't help. Any time I type in a search word into location or awesome bar I get misdirected to an irrelevant site, usually a commercial one like yellow pages. The only way I can search is to use the small search window, and then I have I end up with the same dilemma, unless I click Wikkipedia and then I get the info on that site. Very frustrating. This problem began when I found malware, which I have gotten rid of, I think, but it has left me with this problem. Any other suggestions?
Possibly you still have malware or at least some other searchbar or something installed. Have a look at searches are redirected to another site
It appears that your problem is only with searches made from the location bar. What happens if you try to go directly to google from the search bar try these three methods key in
- google
- where does that take you ?
I would expect the default behavior would be that it
goes to the google site - probably google.com
it displays search results for the word google (with itself inevitably listed at the top) - what is the new info shown in the location bar (I would hope as #2) ?
- where does that take you ?
- http://www.google.com or use the link -> http://www.google.com
- again what happens with that, same as above or not ?
- 209.85.143.104
type the number with the full-stop/period dots
hit the return keyboard return key, or click the arrow on the end of the location bar- the number is an IP address and should be accepted and go direct to the google site.
- again what results from this ?
Can you confirm this sort of problem has only occured since you discovered a malware problem ?
Can you also confirm you have not made major changes such as changing who supplies your internet connection, and you are not connecting through another network (for instance at university/work).
If you are using a broadband or similar router at home, or wherever, and have more than one computer connected do the others work ok ?
On the search bar to the right
- do you still have the option to use google ?
use the down arrow (left of search bar to the right of the icon) to look if it is not the current setting - does that work normally or not ?
try leaving it blank , and hit return, or click the magnifying glass icon
John, thanks. I will try your suggestions but other things are prevailing now. At least my computer is still functioning. The solutions to the search-entry problem are complex. But I will heroically slog on. I'll keep you informed.
Hope you do solve the problem, browsers that are unable to search properly are not much use, but it does at least seem as if your search bar may work.
John, many thanks for your suggestions. My problem seems to have been solved by loading my computer with Windows 7 (I had the trouble prone Vista Enterprise) from a local computer man. The confusion in search titles, or whatever, is now cleared up, so far anyway. The computer guy completely cleaned my computer and thinks that the search problem, and popups and other regularities, were caused by malware which my Symantec anti virus didn't delete. I now have avast on his recommendation. He says mal and spyware have become a worldwide plague.
Malware is a problem, and there are many solutions. If you have a new and genuine Windows 7 installation in most parts of the World that is likely to include an offer to use (MS) Widows Security Essentials, something that should help with such troubles.