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Please note that I am an "advanced beginner" when it comes to this kind of thing so even though I might know the name of something I don't know how a lot of this stuff works.
This problem happens on two different, non-networked computers using different ISP's and different operating systems (XP Pro and 2000), and using IE, Mozilla, and Firefox (all latest versions). I use Adaware and SpyBot; PopUpCop; Kaspersky Anti-Virus. I've tried it with all of those disabled, even uninstalled PopUpCop. I’ve tried with no other programs running (nothing in the task bar except the Internet connection indicator) but that made no difference.
I've tried various combinations, rebooting between each, turning computer on and off manually, different times of day and night. I've uninstalled and reinstalled Java Runtime Environment.
I have disabled browser plug-ins (by unchecking “Enable third-party browser extensions”).
None of those steps made a difference.
When the window is hanging, the following text is in the lower left of the browser window:
Applet SMDPopupMenu
I assume that's some Java thing but it's over my head and I couldn't find anything about it searching Google.
The kicker is that the Earnware technical support staff has not been able to figure out what is wrong. They can use my "Business Center" without difficulty from their end. They have been very friendly and courteous and seem to have worked pretty hard trying to solve this problem. But they are stumped. They tell me that out of thousands of customers, I am the only one with this problem.
Is there somewhere I can go for help with a problem like this one, other than the company itself? Do you know or are you someone who could consult with me for pay to help get to the bottom of this vexation?
Thank you,
Mark
if i have a problem like this i tend to just reinstall whatever software is involved, ie browsers and maybe download a new version of java from the sun website
keep trying on different computers, different OS's, download the latest browser version, use a friend's computer etc.
you may have discovered a bug in their system ... its up to them. demand a solution or a refund
However, my guess is that java is not the problem. Some piece of software on your system is either causing a problem dynamically (i.e. because it's running) or statically (i.e. because it's changed a registry entry).
Some systems are full of rubbish, monitors for modems, fancy video driver extensions, weird mouse thingies, etc. If you have any non-essential software running, (use Ctrl-alt-del to check) close it. You can generally use Google to look up process names to identify the rubbish. If the problem is a conflict with another running program, you should be able to find it.
Since the problem occurs on Win200 and XP, write down a list of the processes running on each. That way you only need concern yourself with those that are present on both (initially). Then start with internet-related processes like messaging software, firewalls, etc. (XP built-in firewall will prevent external attacks if it is enabled).
Hope this helps,
Kaled.
This problem happens on two different, non-networked computers using different ISP's and different operating systems (XP Pro and 2000), and using IE, Mozilla, and Firefox (all latest versions).
I'd say that kaled's advice, while good if this was happening on only one system, is not likely to resolve the matter, this sounds like a programming error on their end, it's up to them to fix it, not you. I've seen lots of poorly programmed sites, when I get to one I don't use it again, but if you can get them to fix it and not waste too much of your time fixing their problem, then all the better. What I try to avoid is spending my time fixing someone elses problem when that problem is directly related to their business, in other words, if I pay someone, their stuff needs to work, and if I paid them, I'm not going to help them make their stuff work, that's their job, not mine, unless they pay me for that service.
Just because their techs have never seen this bug doesn't mean it's not a bug, that's what bugs are, things that appear only under certain circumstances. If this is a bug, you've already spent far too much time helping them try to fix their problem. I have a one strike policy when it comes to web related businesses or services.
The logical next step, to make sure it's not your systems, is to go to a completely unrelated pc, not on any network, and try logging into your account from there. If you can, then there might be an issue on those two pc's, as kaled suggests, but the odds of two systems having the same problem like that is not high.
Double check cookie support on each system, I've seen sites totally hang when they require cookies but don't check if cookies are enabled, they just stop working.
Also double check firewall stuff, xp has no outgoing firewall so it shouldn't matter, standalone firewalls like zonealarm could be blocking a component, try turning off all firewall activity that is software run and see what happens.
this sounds like a programming error on their end, it's up to them to fix itIt's tricky to fix problems that cannot be reproduced. If they have thousands of customers and only one experiencing this problem, they can reasonably take the view that the fault is not likely to be at their end - I would.
Kaled.
Go to [java.com...] and click on "Get it now"
That might get you somewhere - you never know!
Even though it doesn't solve problem completely, I love that Opera browser!
I'm going to try some of the other suggestions. I had already uninstalled and installed the latest JRE, which unfortunately didn't help.
I really appreciate each of you for the time you took to help me.
