computer help

[quidam]

I know there are some computer geniuses here, so hopefully someone will know.

My mother has a wonderful laptop, that blocks strange things on websites. On this site, for example, there are no reply buttons or any way to post a new topic. For all intents and purposes, DS is a read only site on her computer. It's not all forums, though. DOA is perfectly functional.

Does anyone know what might be set wrong? I'm thinking maybe something in security, but am not brave enough to poke at random settings when it already has issues.

[K2!]

No expert here. A couple things to try first. Clear the browser's cache and restart the computer. Try a different browser, if you're using IE, try Firefox or vice-versa.

[victoriavictrix]

I know there are some computer geniuses here, so hopefully someone will know.

My mother has a wonderful laptop, that blocks strange things on websites. On this site, for example, there are no reply buttons or any way to post a new topic. For all intents and purposes, DS is a read only site on her computer. It's not all forums, though. DOA is perfectly functional.

Does anyone know what might be set wrong? I'm thinking maybe something in security, but am not brave enough to poke at random settings when it already has issues.

I'm going to point out that you might not be signed in at DS when you log in. That is the only way I know for it to be a read-only site. The same for the other sites you are looking at that seem to be read-only. On DS, look up at the line below the "Board Index" line. Does it have "User Control Panel (0 new messages) View your posts FAQ Members Logout [quidam]" ?

If you don't see the words "Logout [quidam] " you are not signed in.

[she_flame]

Also, you might want to check, that there there is no ad-block or similar add-on program that "thinks" that some features on the site are adds or spam.

But victoriavictrix's thought about you being not logged in sounds most probable cause.

[quidam]

Yep, I'm definitely signed in. It's hard to confuse that as my login is set to bring up the happy, uber sparkle Hello Kitty background for the site. Actually, on her computer only the banner changes, while the rest of the board is white.

Another site she complains about is FB. It only lets her see regular people pages, and nothing that is a group or public figure.
I'll try clearing some stuff on it next time I go down. Usually she uses the normal Explorer. I'll try Fire Fox next or Chrome next time to see if it is the browser. t
Maybe I should add in that it runs on the hated Windows 8 or 8.1. My brother did install the patch or whatever it was supposed to have to fix it.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

So, with a bit of playing about with AdBlock I can get it to block individual types of buttons - if you have that or other similar ad blocker installed you should be able to tell it to not block ads for this site.

This is on a Mac, but that shouldn't make any difference to how the blocker works. I haven't tried in Windows 8 *shudders*

[quidam]

aha! I new browser did not help, but poking around it seems the buttons are still here, but they are invisible. Why or how, I don't know, but at least that part is working.
Now it's on to try to poke at some other sites.

[Vetinari]

Maybe it's a flashplayer/java "not up to date" thing?

[OkamiKodomo]

Did this ever get resolved? I'm just kinda curious. I was going to recommend flashplayers as well, or AdBlock, if it's set to block images of certain types. And as strange as it might be, codecs. If all else fails, my last resort is reformatting the computer. Just make sure anything important is backed up. If you hover over the invisible button and right click, check properties and any firewalls to see if the image is blocked.

[quidam]

I actually haven't had time to poke around her computer again, but she is at least happier with it now that she knows things are actually there.

I will look at the flashplayer to see what is going on there next time I go over. Checking on the properties of the invisible buttons also sounds like a good idea.

My brother is the computer genius of the family, but he gets kind of grumpy about having to help out with every person he knows any time there is an issue. Mom had actually been getting frustrated enough that she was just going to go out and buy another one, but she's only had this one about a year. She's happy that she can actually do things now.