8 replies to this topic

[iwan]

Since the upgrade to IP Board I have occasional issues where a black band covers part of the screen. It only happens occasionally, and the width of the band varies. I have the same problem on another forum that uses IP Board also. Browser is Firefox 3.5.1, but has persisted through various version upgrades of FF. A search here found nothing and only one hit on Google. Obviously, I have not found the right keywords to describe this issue.

Has anyone else had this problem and/or found a solution? A page refresh will take care of the error, so this is just a minor annoyance.

Note, for some reason the thumbnail shows completely black, but if you click on it, it will display properly.

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Edited by iwan, 24 July 2010 - 06:32 AM.

[bepah]

It looks like Dean's autocensoring software.....apparently you are not mature wnough to deal with ranchhand photos...

[BS Man about Palms]

Good. I thought it was just My picture it was censoring...

[PALM MOD]

I think its safe to say its something on your particular setup since we have dozens (if not hundreds) of people who use FF without your problem.

Now having said that, what is it? I have to assume you are using Windows, but you haven't said. Or whether it's an older version or not. Or what security software (anti-virus, anti-spyware, popup blockers) you are running, if any. Whether you do your upgrades and patches religiously, etc. But most importantly, what settings you have all these set to. The reason I say this is that your "black band" looks like a space for an ad banner. And your settings could be blocking it, or some type of hack could be trying to display it.

How experienced are you assuring that your system is always adequately protected with the OS and Anti-Virus updates? Have you tried saving your favorites/bookmarks and completely deleting FF and doing a re-install? You may have inadvertently set how your .jpgs are displayed within FF that is trying to auto-resize them, or something or the sort. Have you tried de-activating your anti-virus software for a quick look at PalmTalk to see if it's a setting within that software.

I'm not sure what the latest version of FF is for Windows, but I'm using 3.6.6 on a Mac. I would try getting the latest fresh install (not upgraded) version of FF (after saving anything you wish to save).

The thumbnail being black is something that makes no sense, but a good clue, maybe someone else has a suggestion. And I'll think some more.

If you would, please show me a complete screen recapture, and also try using another skin and see what happens.

[iwan]

Thanks for the info Dean.

I may try a couple of things, but this computer will be going away at the end of the week, so if it is a local configuration issue, I will know if it happens on the next computer. I was more curious to know if this was a known issue, which it appears to be, but apparently an uncommon one. It doesn't happen on every thread and only occasionally, but I have experienced this for over a year on another IP Board forum that I visit occasionally. I have never seen this issues on other websites or non-IP Board forums. If it happens on a different computer I will troubleshoot farther.

The problem is unpredictable. If I refresh the page the black band disappears. It does seem to happen mostly on picture laden threads.

FWIW, OS is XP w/SP2 and most hotfixes with Symantec AV. We exclude a few non-critical patches that are incompatible with our business applications. OS is dictated by corporate policy. FF 3.6.x is out, but is incompatible with some of my plug-ins, so I have stayed with 3.5.x for now.

I will do another screen capture next time it happens. The band covers the width of the screen and varies in how "thick" it is. I have never seen a black thumbnail before.

[iwan]

Larger screen capture. Interesting, this thumbnail isn't black.

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[PALM MOD]

I'm at a loss Robert. But it's obviously some conflict with IPB and your set up.

If you are viewing this from work, there may be other factors in play, like hardware firewall settings in the router, or if you are on a network, it could be some problems there conflicting with the IPB software. There are just too many moving parts with an old partially patched OS, mixed with an updated Norton, it could be assuming the OS is up to date.

But I'm thinking it is probably a video display timing issue. If a refresh fixes it, it's probably not security related.

The only things I can suggest if a new computer doesn't fix it is:
- try the Classic Blue skin
- try another browser or the new FF (as a separate install)
- disable Norton and try it.
- or even a different screen resolution to see if it occurs.

[iwan]

Thanks for the suggestions Dean. I will troubleshoot further if the issues continue with the new computer. I have seen the issue both on/off our corporate network.

I have a whole different set of issues at work that are definitely caused by our internet content filter/firewall, caching accelerators, etc. Most hosted pictures (esp. Photobucket) are blocked, page timeouts, etc.

I'm at a loss Robert. But it's obviously some conflict with IPB and your set up.

If you are viewing this from work, there may be other factors in play, like hardware firewall settings in the router, or if you are on a network, it could be some problems there conflicting with the IPB software. There are just too many moving parts with an old partially patched OS, mixed with an updated Norton, it could be assuming the OS is up to date.

[PALM MOD]

I would be curious as to what you determine or find out, if anything.