All Wiki sites causing computer to hang?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

This is an odd problem: Any time I go to any Wiki site (except for the original wikipedia.org), my web browser hangs - unless I turn off JavaScript. Has anyone else had this problem?

It happened with my last computer, and is also happening with this one, which suggests to me that the problem is with the sites themselves. What could these wiki sites possibly be doing that is causing a JavaScript hang?

 

[sojourner]

Well, considering if this were a problem with all of the sites that there would be big news stories about it, I am guessing it's something with your system.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

But as I said, I just got a *new* system. There cannot be the same problem on both. I'm starting from scratch here. What are the odds of the same error popping up on two unrelated systems?

 

[sojourner]

Are you connecting through the same network? reset your router/modem?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I don't understand, how would that help? This is a JavaScript problem of some kind.

 

[SPCTRE]

That sounds really strange. What kind of browser do you use?

 

[Christopher]

I had the same problem with most Wiki sites (excluding Wikipedia proper) with my old version of Opera, but then when I upgraded to the newest version, it went away. However, recently the problem seems to have cropped up again, even though I haven't changed my browser recently (unless installing RealPlayer on my computer counts). However, the Wiki sites have changed their skins recently, and it was just afterward that the "hanging" problem reasserted itself. So whatever changed to start the problem up again was probably on their end.

What seems to be happening is that the page is trying to load something that won't load, and it prevents any other command from going through. Hitting the Stop button on your browser halts the process and lets any pending command proceed. So for instance if I hit a link while the page is "hanging," nothing will happen, but if I then hit the Stop button, the "hanging" stops and the pending link command will then go through.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I've seen the hanging issue on Memory Alpha but not other wiki sites. It appears to be related to Flash objects. I'd just keep JavaScript disabled on those sites.

 

[sojourner]

^ I don't understand, how would that help? This is a JavaScript problem of some kind.

something may be preventing the Java script from communicating back to the site and causing it to hang? Would it hurt to try?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

That sounds really strange. What kind of browser do you use?

Safari.

Hitting the Stop button on your browser halts the process and lets any pending command proceed. So for instance if I hit a link while the page is "hanging," nothing will happen, but if I then hit the Stop button, the "hanging" stops and the pending link command will then go through.

Not on my system. NOTHING will prevent the process from continuing - all I get is the Spinning Beachball of Death. I have to force-quit the browser.

 

[Christopher]

Okay, then maybe the problem you're describing isn't the same as mine. My browser doesn't freeze up; it's just that a Wiki page won't respond to any clicks until I hit the Stop button and halt the stalled process.

Although I find I'm not having that problem today, at least with Memory Alpha.

 

[SPCTRE]

That sounds really strange. What kind of browser do you use?

Safari.

Sorry, don't have any experience using Safari, I'm a Firefox guy.

 

[Trekker4747]

I had the same problem with most Wiki sites (excluding Wikipedia proper) with my old version of Opera, but then when I upgraded to the newest version, it went away. However, recently the problem seems to have cropped up again, even though I haven't changed my browser recently (unless installing RealPlayer on my computer counts). However, the Wiki sites have changed their skins recently, and it was just afterward that the "hanging" problem reasserted itself. So whatever changed to start the problem up again was probably on their end.

What seems to be happening is that the page is trying to load something that won't load, and it prevents any other command from going through. Hitting the Stop button on your browser halts the process and lets any pending command proceed. So for instance if I hit a link while the page is "hanging," nothing will happen, but if I then hit the Stop button, the "hanging" stops and the pending link command will then go through.

Yeah, under Opera I had these exact problems with Wiki(a) sites a lot too. (Memory Alpha for example. I'd click a link, nothing would happen, hitting stop would get the link to load.)

I think it was a browser version issue. If this occurring in IE it's something else but if you're using different browser then find a patch or the latest version of it. Baba, I'd see if there's not a newer version of your browser available, or try seeing if you have these same problems with IE. If the problems aren't in IE then it's likely "something" with the browser you are using and you need to get a new one or an upgrade.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Baba, I'd see if there's not a newer version of your browser available

There isn't.

or try seeing if you have these same problems with IE. If the problems aren't in IE then it's likely "something" with the browser you are using and you need to get a new one or an upgrade.

There is no Internet Explorer for OS X.

 

[SPCTRE]

^ But there are alternatives to Safari for Mac OS, surely. Always handy to have a second browser, allows you a quick check when, for example, web pages don't seem to display all of their content properly.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ It's easier to simply disable JavaScript for a site or two, than to have to use a whole new browser to go to those same sites.

 

[FordSVT]

Clicking a button to see content is harder than clicking a different button to see most of the content?

And I think SPCTRE and Trekker are recommending a second browser as a troubleshooting device, you're obviously have an issue with your browser that you shouldn't be. Don't want to try to fix it? You'd rather buy a brand new machine and have it permanently gimped? You already paid a premium for that Mac, I'd be pretty pissed if it wasn't working right.

 

[Trekker4747]

Precisely. Considering java is used on many websites now a days disabling it is silly. Using a second browser, IE or whatever's standard for a Mac, would help diagnose if it's a problem with the browser or the machine/website. (The only way to pair that down is to visit the website in separate machine with the same browser and everthing, bah.) But I suspect this is a browser issue as the Wiki/a sites have "issues" with other browsers like the problems Christopher and I apparently had with Opera's previous version not long ago.

So I'd download IE for Mac, try the sites out -I suspect they'll work- and either use IE for the Wiki/as or look for a new browser/patch or newer version for the current browser. I suspect that this is where the problem lies. In the browser and not with the machine itself to the point where a fairly critical function of the entire internet needs to be turned off.

All of this is moot. Apples are glitchless, right?

 

[Owain Taggart]

So I'd download IE for Mac

I wouldn't. IE for the Mac hasn't been updated since 2003, which is ages for software and the internet, which frankly would be way outdated in terms of what it supports. His best bet would be to download either Opera or Firefox. I suspect it's something to do with the way Safari parses Javascript.

 

[Trekker4747]

So I'd download IE for Mac

I wouldn't. IE for the Mac hasn't been updated since 2003, which is ages for software and the internet, which frankly would be way outdated in terms of what it supports. His best bet would be to download either Opera or Firefox. I suspect it's something to do with the way Safari parses Javascript.

Well, I'd download whatever is the "standard" browser for Mac. Ones like Opera and Firefox aren't widely supported (though the current version of Opera for PC has no issues with Wiki/a sites.)

That was the "diagnostic tool" I was going for. Get something that you know works and should work no matter what. I've no idea what the "standard" browser is for Mac, I just assumed they got the latest IE versions like PC does. If not, I'm sure there's got to be an Apple equivalent. Without going with a browser that may also have issues. You need a good, solid, "control." That "control" being whatever is the base of what is required or supported. Browsers like Opera or Firefox, etc. --unfortunately-- aren't the standard.