some threads generate error messages when I try to post

[T.o.b.y]

Hey,

 

this is odd: Some threads (for example the "you know your Sherlock obsession is bad" thread) won't let me post any more. All I get is an error message. Other threads work like always. Any ideas?

[T.o.b.y]

Okay, I think the problem is quoting. The error messages only occur when I try to quote someone. Maybe there something wrong with that function?

[Arcadia]

I get those too from time to time, and I think you're right, it's usually (always???) when quoting. Although half the time the silly comment I made is posted anyway, and the other half of the time I have to backspace, copy the text, hit refresh, and start over from scratch. But I'm always able to get through eventually. I just figured it was something to do with my weak wifi connection, or possibly a glitch in my browser (as I'm having other issues too.) But maybe it's a thing? I get it maybe once, twice a week.

[T.o.b.y]

I've never gotten it before, and no matter how often I tried, it didn't work. There is one thread where I can't post at all, and one where I just cannot quote. It's very odd. Oh well... thank goodness I don't have anything really important to say, anyway!

[Carol the Dabbler]

What type of error messages are you getting, T.o.b.y?  (If you could copy some of the messages and post them here, it might help us -- by which I probably mean Tim -- to understand what's going on.)  OK, you can't post a quote in the "obsession" thread -- which thread is it where you can't post at all?

 

[T.o.b.y]

Earlier today, it was the "Hijacked Thread" thread.

 

I haven't gotten the error messages since, but if I do, I'll try if I can make a screenshot and post it. I'm not terribly good at this sort of thing.

[Carol the Dabbler]

A screenshot would be great, but a plain ol' copy-and-paste might be just as helpful.  Whatever you can provide.

 

[joanneta1]

For one reason or another I get a 404 error message when I try to reply to J.P. about Holmes's strength in a thread.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I get one of those every now and then, but a retry typically works.  Did you get the error more than once?

 

[joanneta1]

Every single time I have tried to reply to J.P. in the Rechenbach Fall thread about Sherlock's deceptive strength I get a you are not authorised to access forum and a 404 Error message. Why can't I reply in that particular one, I don't know!

[Caya]

Okay, so I've got basically the same questions as in this thread. So - Afghanistan or Iraq? (public or private, that is - I got a sneaking suspicion there)

[Carol the Dabbler]

You've posed some interesting questions over there, Martina.  I'm trying to think what factors are supposed to keep a person from posting in specific threads, but all I can think of is a couple of reasons why they wouldn't even be allowed to read the thread in the first place (i.e., not a member or not signed up for adult access), so that's not it.

 

[Caya]

Well, it could be that. I checked the forum from a library computer the other day and therefore left the "remember me" box unchecked upon logging in, and when I went to a particular subforum (no, I don't remember which one it was, though yes, I sure wish I did) the forum suddenly "forgot" my log-in and gave me a denied message as well. When I went back to the main page I no longer appeared as logged in. I was late then, so I didn't get the chance to follow up on this, but it sounds similar enough to joanetta1's problems that I thought it was worth a shot to ask.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oh, OK -- so maybe it could have thought you weren't a member -- since I believe the forum relies on cookies for that sort of information.  Last I heard, non-members were barred from the Spoilers and Speculations subforum -- presumably because that area was so popular pre-S3.

 

 

[Arcadia]

I found this post by Van Buren reporting a problem ... thought I'd bring it to your attention in case you understand what it means. http://www.sherlockforum.com/forum/topic/1206-game-of-thrones/?p=96827

[Van Buren Supernova]

Aiz, so I was trying to post in introvert thread and kept getting this error message:

When I looked around, apparently similar error happened to...me! in the past as well as Arcadia's post above (thank you).

(so have you guys convinced that if terminator happened I'd be the first victim now?:p)

 

I've retried, restarted, relogged-in, same thing. Didn't have overload emoticons or quotes or anything funny. And since I can post this, means the problem is not in all threads, but I am too pissed to try other threads now. Also, I am running out of my playing time.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Were you trying to post any images?

 

And we're you on a borrowed computer again? Or what?

[Van Buren Supernova]

No images, just regular post with some quotes and emoticon (not exceeding any limits)

It happened while using phone earlier and just now on desktop (currently using desktop).

 

So I studied the codes and modified them by deleting the quoting time (so instead of proper quote with timing I just edit the code to include username only) but it still didn't work, at one time the error message changed to Forbidden 403 (that we know mean there is a 'bad' word) but with multiple trial and errors, couldn't find anything funny,

then at one point, without me changing anything, the error message switched back to the one I posted above.

 

So I was moving on experimenting, I deleted quote inside quote, it finally works.

Not sure if there was something missing that prompt the error, but I didn't change or delete anything in the quote (sometimes I simplified by cutting the quote source so it just includes the relevant parts, I could misdelete something but this time nope, I quoted as it is)

 

So yah, conclusion: Not frigging sure.  XD

It's just that I am very sleepy at this moment so I have patience to try looking for the cause.

But if anybody else (probably me again) encounter something similar, try to simplify the quote; reducing the code complexity and if you have quote inside quote, try deleting it.

If nothing changes, try to sleep for a few days, ignore the needs to visit the forum then get back (that is what I originally plan to do  )

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

It seems that sometimes these things just happen. I was getting a 403 Forbidden message the other day, and couldn't get it to work no matter what words I modified. I finally emailed it to Arcadia to see if she could post it, and of course she could -- and of course so could I at that point. Who knows?

 

Anyhow, glad you finally got your post posted. But please do let us know if this happens again.

[Arcadia]

Are either of you using older software for any of your forum interactions? That's very similar to a message I get from one of my old programs, which I finally figured out meant it just isn't built to process a particular type of command. I have to jump through hoops to trick it into cooperating; i.e., basically treat it as if it's still operating in a Vista environment. It's perfectly happy the rest of the time. I'd get rid of it but the replacement is only available as a monthly fee-for-service ... argh.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Older software?  You mean like an old operating system?  I believe I'm using Windows 10 on the computer where I got the error I mentioned above.  Besides, that wouldn't explain why everything works just fine most of the time.     I chalk it up to gnomes.

 

But while we're on the subject of misbehaving computer systems, can anyone explain why my cursor likes to reposition itself at odd intervals when I'm typing?  (Like just then it went back up to "gnomes.")

[Caya]

Most likely culprits are either fine hairs (cat, I'd presume ) in front of the optic sensor and/or weakening batteries (unless of course your mouse is cable-bound). With a touchpad on a laptop, it's usually inadvertedly touching it while typing.

 

eta: Fun story I swear is true: my current mouse was misbehaving (jumping and/or unmoving cursor and such) a couple weeks ago and I couldn't find any reason for it. I finally got fed up and fired up amazon, dragged the misbehaving pointer to the search field and typed in "wireless mouse". Didn't find any whose look I liked (ergonomic form is important to me) but that was honestly the last time (so far at least) that my current mouse acted up, it's been working without a hitch ever since. :lol:

[Arcadia]

Carol, I meant old programs ... like I was having problems with my older browser after I switched to Windows 10, for example. I finally had to give up and start using the new browser.

 

I also think Windows 10 is a bit glitchy ... I get weird hang-ups every once in awhile. (Photoshop seems to confuse it, for example.) They usually fix themselves, but sometimes a reboot is in order. :(

[Carol the Dabbler]

Turns out my laptop is running Windows 7 (and Firefox). But still, it works nearly all the time, so I'm in no hurry to "fix" it, lest things get worse.

[Van Buren Supernova]

@old program/software

I have just updated my browser, but I'm using older OS for my phone, because the last time I updated it, it went on shut down and refused to restart, factory reset and all doesn't help. The service center reboot it as if it's usual thing and adviced me not to update my OS as for the model I have it's still glitchy. They asked me to google when it would be okay to update. One year had gone by, the last time I checked I couldn't find any info so I've never updated it and it works fine anyway.

Desktop, it's Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit but it has been steady.

And like Carol said, if the problem lies on the old program, it doesn't explain why it works fine most of the time.

 

Jaggy mouse, yes, most likely is the battery or the surface where you put the mouse.

And about threatening device :p I agree it works sometimes, actually quite often.

Once I was in an elevator and the door started to work up, refusing to close but it didn't open as well (so it opened about 30cm/1foot, close, open in that width again, close,...). We couldn't get out even if we wanted to. And yah, I had bad day, so I kicked the door. It stopped moving for a bit, then closed smoothly and went on normal operation. What surprised me was the other passengers behind me were applauding, teenager and grandma in the mix. Awkward. XD